Thursday, January 17, 2013

Roger Beachy Global Institute for Food Security


Roger Beachy, the former president of theDonald Danforth Plant Science Center, will head up a new $50 million research institution in Saskatoon, Canada.
Beachy will lead the Global Institute for Food Security, a new institute created by the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, the University of Saskatchewan and Potash Corp., a producer of fertilizer and industrial and animal feed products. Funding of $35 million for the institute was provided by Potash Corp., and $15 by the province.
Beachy will serve as the executive director and CEO of the new institute and help it get off the ground, a role he played as the founding president of the Danforth Plant Science Center here. After its startup phase, Beachy will remain actively involved in the institute in a senior oversight capacity, according to a statement.
"I was drawn to the vision of the new Institute and the spirit of innovation and collaboration that led to its creation," Beachy said in a statement. "With Saskatchewan's unique strengths in bio-science and agriculture, I am committed to helping GIFS take its place among the most exceptional in the world."
Click for article by Amir Kutovic Reporter- St. Louis Business Journal

Wednesday, January 09, 2013

Rob Beachy on Mass Shootings


Rob Beachy came up with an interesting premises.  "Could it possibly be that we have always had multiple killings over the years but they did not receive the publicity that they do now because of mass media? Rob did a study on Mass shootings and crime rates and even submitted a graph to illustrate his point: FBI statistics on the US Homicide Rate (per 100,000) 1950-2007. I made it into a chart for easier viewing. It shows some interesting data. 2009 was on par with the mid 60's. I did not expect to see the rise and fall like it shows. Is this the result of efforts to eliminate violent crime? Federal assault rifle ban was 1994-2004. I would say this pretty much shows what I was getting at. If I was to guess, based on news reports, I would expect the line to be headed up and up. Thanks Rob for your remarks and chart.