Kathryn Turner, Ph.D. is a Research Associate at The Land Institute in Salina, Kansas, where she works on reducing diseases in perennial grains. Unlike corn, wheat, and rice, perennial grains do not need to be planted every year. Thus, fields do not need to be plowed annually, which reduces erosion, and their deeper roots impart resilience to drought. Prior to joining The Land Institute, Kathryn completed a Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota in plant disease resistance. Kathryn got her start at The Land Institute as an Austin College undergraduate intern in 2005.