From Aerospace to Agriculture
When George Cody Bagnall realized how impactful plant science can be, it inspired him to change careers. Shortly after completing his bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, he was introduced to some of the compelling questions in plant science.
“I mistakenly believed that all the major challenges in agriculture and plant science had already been solved,” Cody explains. “As I began to understand the vast and important work still needed in this space, I wanted to be a part of the solution.”
Digging Deeper
This curiosity was the beginning of Cody’s career in plant science. He went on to earn a PhD in agricultural engineering from Texas A&M University. His research was centered on developing in situ root imaging technology, which allows scientists to study plant roots directly in their natural environment. This kind of imaging technology has become essential because it can capture images of plants as they grow, providing real-time insights into how they interact with soil, water, and nutrients. It was this work that ultimately led him to join the Topp Lab at the Danforth Center.
“Through this journey,” says Cody, “I have grown to love the work I do and the impact it can have—both on individuals and entire communities—by improving food and fiber production while reducing the environmental impact of agricultural systems.”
Innovation in Action: Cody’s Research Today
Now, as a Senior Research Scientist at the Danforth Center, Cody manages the Topp Lab’s field team, assists with grant writing, and designs and leads experiments that focus on sustainable agriculture, including investigations into no-till and cover cropping systems. He is also instrumental in integrating new technology into the lab, both through research and development and through evaluating and implementing commercially available systems.
“My research takes a systems-based approach to understanding the role of roots in regenerative agriculture,” Cody says. “I focus on developing and utilizing innovative phenotyping systems, along with conducting field-based experiments on cover cropping, nitrogen use, and mechanical farming systems.”
Fun Fact
In his free time, Cody enjoys woodturning. He and his wife also have a horse, two mules that they go trail riding with, and a miniature donkey.
