Linda Kinkel obtained her M.S. and Ph.D. in Plant Pathology and M.S. in Biometry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and completed Post-doctoral research in microbial ecology at the University of California-Berkeley. She is a Faculty Member in Plant Pathology at the University of Minnesota, and Chief Science Officer and Founder of Jord BioScience. At the University of Minnesota, Linda’s research focused on developing practical approaches for managing the ecology and evolutionary biology of plant microbiomes to enhance crop health and yields. After 30 years of research, teaching, and academic and professional service, Linda sought to translate her team’s research findings to real-world use. Jord BioScience, a global provider of novel microbial technology solutions to agriculture product companies, is the result. Jord technologies enhance the effectiveness and consistency of microbial inoculants in agriculture. In addition to her University work, Linda has led the NSF-funded International Agricultural Microbiomes Research Coordination Network, and has served as Chairman of the American Phytopathological Society Public Policy Board, Associate and Senior Editor for multiple scientific journals, Associate Editor-in-Chief for the Phytobiomes Journal, and was elected a Fellow of the American Phytopathological Society in 2018.