Meet an Alumni: Joseph Byrum

Interview at the Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

A degree from the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences gave notable alum Joseph Byrum the essential analytical and intellectual tools to succeed in a growing biotechnology industry.  

Byrum credits PSM’s emphasis on strategic thinking to his success in his role as Syngenta’s global head of product development.

“The balanced curriculum grounded in quantitative training provide the background to succeed,” Byrum said.

Syngenta is a global biotechnology company that works to create resources to help farmers attain global food security. With a rapidly growing population, feeding the large impending population requires researchers to create ways to produce more food without the use of shrinking natural resources.

MSU’s growth and presence in the global community provides students an opportunity to understand complex global issues and solutions.

“MSU certainly broadened my perspective and helped pave the way so I could succeed by enabling a more vertical trajectory, multiplying my impact as a thought leader, scientist, strategic thinker and manager,” Byrum said.

Byrum has always been an avid learner and understood the importance of a quality education. His education at MSU honed in on his critical thinking and leadership skills, providing him with a path to success.

“My experience at MSU, complemented by my business experience, allowed me to operate in roles of increasing responsibility,” Byrum said.

As a product development leader at Syngenta, Byrum has learned how to be an impactful leader to his colleagues from his MSU education.

His comprehensive idea of a leader is, “someone who does what’s right, sets a positive example, admits when they’re wrong and rises above the details to paint a picture that can be delivered with excellence,” Byrum said.