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62 SEEDWORLD.COM DECEMBER 2015 I T WAS AN inauspicious beginning. Laura Higgins now a leading research scien- tist and entomologist in her 24th year at DuPont Pioneer did not grow up playing with bugs in fact her first insect memory could have nudged her off the entomology path altogether. I was running through my moms sweet corn patch and an enormous bug the size of a Volkswagen beetle went into my mouth and I swallowed it she says. I remember being completely horrified. I spent the rest of the day in my room crying and waiting for death. If only somebody had told me that a large proportion of the worlds population uses insects for food then I could have been more at ease with the whole incident. All of that changed in 1992. After leaving her home state of Ohio and her position as an IBP beef merchandiser in Nebraska Higgins answered an ad for part- time employment with Pioneer Hi-Bred International in Johnston Iowa. A couple of research projects later she chanced upon a summer project with a group of Pioneer entomologists in 1993. I ran into people almost by accident who worked in that field Higgins says. They were so pas- sionate so excited and so driven about the good they could do in the world. It was absolutely contagious you couldnt help but be inspired by what they were working on. I am an accidental entomologist. Im prob- ably an accidental scientist. The Accidental Entomologist She may be an accidental entomologist but this scientists new leading role in DuPont Pioneers Hybrid Wheat Program is no accident. When it comes to trait characterization and development Laura Higgins is a force to be reckoned with. Kari Belanger Hybrid Wheat Leader Nearly 24 years after answering that fortuitous ad Higgins passion for entomology and learning is being directed toward DuPont Pioneers Hybrid Wheat Program. As trait characterization and development hybrid wheat lead she is responsi- ble for the strategy and execution of trait characterization and devel- opment for the program. Wheat is one of the most impor- tant cereal grains in the world and we have some tools in our toolbox these days that will allow us to make significant improvements in wheat yields Higgins says. Im excited about being part of a team that can move it forward. We have clear goals to deliver on and I love execution that delivers grower value. Although working for Pioneer has afforded Higgins many chal- lenging and fulfilling roles such as research director for Insect Trait Development program leader of the DuPont Agricultural Biotechnology Group and envi- ronmental safety leader for the Regulatory Science and Registration Group she consid- ers her position as the Optimum AcreMax implementation lead for the Trait Characterization and Development Group one of the high points in her career. The project focused on devel- oping an improved way to deploy refuge for Bt corn growers. Over- coming technical hurdles in-depth research and a deep understanding of the relationships and biology of the insect and refuge function Already armed with a Bachelor of Science in agri- culture Higgins hit the books at Iowa State University taking an entomology course so she could talk the talk and walk the walk with her colleagues. Once more inspired by the people around her Higgins completed a Master of Science while working full time. A few years later driven by her desire to contribute at a higher level to the entomology field and an innate love of learning plus some friendly prodding by her academic contacts Higgins fit more studies around regular work duties a growing family and community commitments to complete her doctorate. That love of learning would carry her far. Higgins was often offered projects with steep learning curves on which she thrived. It wasnt always easy she says and balancing work and family meant walking a fine line but support and guidance from informal mentors and colleagues helped smooth her career path. These were people who intrinsically cared about my future gave me good advice and could help me see past the near-term struggles for the long-term benefits she says. As part of Earth Day 2015 Laura Higgins a DuPont Pioneer scientist joined 1200 other volunteers to clean up the Des Moines Iowa area including waterways.