Tobacco: Production, Chemistry and Technology

D. Layten Davis, Principal Scientist at R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, grew up on a tobacco farm and is recognized for a long, distinguished career in tobacco science. Dr. Davis has served the tobacco community for more than three decades as a scientist, educator and administrator. He is known internationally as an authority on agronomy and the chemistry and physiology of tobacco, and has authored many publications including book chapters. He has received a number of awards such as the CORESTA silver medal and the Philip Morris Award for Distinguished Achievement in Tobacco Science. He is a charter member of the CORESTA Agro-Chemical Advisory Committee. Dr Davis received a MS degree from Michigan State University and the PhD from North Carolina State University. He was on the faculty at the University of Kentucky for 20 years prior to being employed by R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company.

Mark T. Nielsen, Professor of Agronomy at the University of Kentucky, is a plant breeder and geneticist who has been responsible for the development of four new varieties of burley tobacco and a number of unique tobacco germplasm lines. A recipient of the Philip Morris Award for Distinguished Achievement in Tobacco Science, Dr Nielsen’s tobacco research has resulted in numerous scientific publications and invited presentations. An internationally recognized expert in tobacco breeding and a member of the Scientific Commission of CORESTA for eight years, Dr Nielsen received his MS and PhD degrees from Kansas State University. He is now employed as a tobacco breeder and geneticist with GenApps, Inc.