Duncan OLIVER
Gent
Summary
Research Scientist with over thirty years’ experience in leading global life science companies, and with an excellent track record of delivery in different roles across a number of projects. Strong project management and innovation skills coupled with a tenacious attitude to achieving goals. Other strengths include excellent interpersonal, leadership and team working skills and a very supportive and positive personality.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Researcher (Interim)
BASF
Belgium
05.2025 - Current
- Six-month interim contract focusing on Oilseed Rape transformation research and assisting where required in other transformation pipeline and research activities. Coaching of a junior researcher.
Chief Crop Science Officer / GM trait research/Biopesticide R&D (part-time)
Pestevene SIA
Riga
01.2024 - 01.2025
- Self-employed consultant co-ordinating the research and development activities for pore-forming proteins as potential GM traits for insect control (focus on corn and soy) and as a biopesticidal spray.
- Advising the company on science plans to achieve proof of concept in targeted market segments
- Establishing and co-ordination of research with third parties (transformation, insect testing)
Senior Team Leader / Project Manager, Biotechnology
SYNGENTA
Ghent
01.2013 - 10.2023
- Company Overview: Ghent Innovation Center
- Line management responsibility for a multidisciplinary team of scientists and technicians supporting a number of different projects and platforms based around RNA biocontrols.
- Project manager for an early-stage research project focused on exploring the use of RNA-based solutions for insect control. Part of the site Quality Board with key responsibility for the GM materials and activities.
- Led project to successful sprayable biocontrol field trial with efficacy against multiple stink bug species equivalent to the standard chemical treatment
- Established a high-efficiency PoC transformation pipeline set up for soybean to support the in-house projects
- Active member of the team that successfully attained ETS accreditation for the site
- Successfully managed progression from lead generation to the early research phase
Director, Plant Biology
Devgen nv.
Gent
01.2008 - 01.2013
- Responsible for a multidisciplinary team focused on delivering GM traits (input and output) in rice plus early-stage lead generation in model plant systems eg. tobacco, and arabidopsis.
- Line management responsibility for up to 11 scientists and technicians.
- Successfully established stable rice transformation (Japonica and Javonica genotypes) as a GM trait pipeline
- Successful delivery of commercial quality lead events for herbicide tolerance and insect resistance traits for glasshouse testing and field trialing in India
Senior Scientist
Devgen nv.
Gent
01.2006 - 01.2008
- Setting up a core plant transformation and tissue culture facility in model plant systems.
- Management of the plant characterization and testing for lead generation projects.
Team Leader
Syngenta
Jealott's Hill
01.2001 - 01.2005
- Line management of a team responsible for the operation of a cotton transformation pipeline.
- Successfully progressed both herbicide tolerance and insect resistance traits to field testing and the latter was launched commercially in the United States.
Senior Scientist, Plant Biotechnology
Zeneca Plant Science
01.1994 - 01.2001
- Line management responsibility for team generating transgenic wheat through a biolistic system.
Scientist, Plant Biotechnology
Zeneca Plant Science
01.1992 - 01.1994
- Banana transformation method development, world’s first GM banana field trial.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Applied Plant Sciences
University
Manchester01.1992
Skills
- Results orientated
- Strong collaborative attitude
- Plant transformation
- Leadership
- Strong communication skills
- Project management
- Team management
- Quality management
- Plant biology
- Team development
- Recruitment
- Biopesticide research
Professional Development
- Essentials of project management, PM2
- Project management training
- Leadership Development
Languages
English
First Language
Dutch
Upper Intermediate (B2)
B2
Timeline
Researcher (Interim)
BASF
05.2025 - Current
Chief Crop Science Officer / GM trait research/Biopesticide R&D (part-time)
Pestevene SIA
01.2024 - 01.2025
Senior Team Leader / Project Manager, Biotechnology
SYNGENTA
01.2013 - 10.2023
Director, Plant Biology
Devgen nv.
01.2008 - 01.2013
Senior Scientist
Devgen nv.
01.2006 - 01.2008
Team Leader
Syngenta
01.2001 - 01.2005
Senior Scientist, Plant Biotechnology
Zeneca Plant Science
01.1994 - 01.2001
Scientist, Plant Biotechnology
Zeneca Plant Science
01.1992 - 01.1994
Bachelor of Science - Applied Plant Sciences
University
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