Montana State Winifred Asbjornson Plant Sciences Chair Filled

June 30, 2025

Great Falls, MT – The Montana Wheat & Barley Committee (MWBC), Montana Grains Foundation (MGF) and Montana Grain Growers Association (MGGA) trumpeted big news today with the long-awaited filling of the Winifred Asbjornson Plant Sciences Chair at Montana State University (MSU). Montana’s own Dr. Blake Wiedenheft, originally from Glasgow, MT, has accepted the role.

“This has been an exhausting and yet exhilarating search,” said Dale Schuler, chair for MGF. “To have a scientist of this caliber, who understands Montana growers, who embodies the spirit of top-quality research at MSU, and who is one of the highest achievers behind the CRISPR discovery, we really cannot express how much this appointment could impact crop production for Montana growers.”

Dr. Weidenheft is currently a professor of microbiology and immunology, biotechnology, in MSU’s Microbiology and Cell Biology Department. MSU states on its website, “The scientific culture in the Wiedenheft Lab is to understand and engineer cellular machines with new functions for applications in biotechnology and medicine.” He has earned multiple awards from MSU but his engagement with and interest from graduate students was compelling during the interview phase. “There was a packed room of attendees who came to hear his presentation during his candidacy for the Chair,” Schuler said. “It spoke volumes about how he can help us attract a larger team of the best minds for the College of Agriculture.” 

“Blake’s expertise exploring new approaches to solving big challenges such as the wheat stem sawfly is of critical interest to us,” said Lori Wickett, MWBC research and communications director. “MWBC has invested well north of $1 million in sawfly research including the Chair, and funding projects by our wheat breeders and entomology group at MSU. Blake’s expertise brings valuable collaboration to our already strong plant sciences team. It truly is worthy of celebrating his selection.”

Alison Vergeront, executive vice president for MGGA, was delighted with Dr. Weidenheft’s selection. “This announcement has been a longtime coming,” she eagerly stated. “MGGA is thrilled to see this come together as we know it will positively impact our farmers. We have seen firsthand just how much destruction the sawfly can do in a healthy field, so we look forward to working with Dr. Weidenheft to eradicate this pest.” 

Officials from the three grain organizations heralded College of Agriculture Vice President, Dean and Director Sreekala Bajwa’s efforts to help Dr. Weidenheft quickly establish his program as the new school year fast approaches. “We cannot continue to improve our research efforts without strong support and leadership provided by Dr. Bajwa,” said Kent Kupfner, MWBC executive director. “We work closely with MSU on these very important appointments, and this one is special. The opportunity to work with Blake going forward is confirmation that grower dollars will continue to work at full potential with the brightest minds available, right here in Montana.”

MWBC released an educational video to entice collaboration between state researchers last winter in the fight against sawfly. “Since other states are feeling the economic effects of this pest, we are hoping that the video’s timing will boost awareness of Blake’s leadership role in this national challenge,” said Wickett. “We hope for strong interest from his industry colleagues who are also working to solve this issue.” The grower version of the video is now available on MWBC’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOlVxAX333U.

The Winifred Asbjornson Chair was a producer-led initiative which raised more than $2 million from Montana producers and industry, followed by a generous closing donation from Winifred native Norm Asbjornson. At $5 million endowed, it was the first established Chair at MSU’s College of Agriculture, bringing momentum for additional distinctive scientific roles. The College of Ag is currently home to three chairs. 

Moving forward, the Winifred Asbjornson Plant Sciences Chair will be housed under Microbiology and Cell Biology, making it the first plant-specific initiative within that group. “This move to Microbiology provides exceptional opportunities for agriculture,” Schuler said. “Because it is housed under the College of Ag, they are able to work closely on cross-cultural study and ultimately new discoveries in the biology space. We are very pleased.”

For more information, contact the Montana Wheat & Barley Committee, wbc@mt.gov; Montana Grains Foundation, dschuler182@gmail.com; or Montana Grain Growers Association, avergeront@mgga.org. 

& Barley Committee