Steve Linscombe received his Ph.D. in Agronomy, Plant Breeding & Genetics in 1982 from Mississippi State University and his M.S. in Agronomy in 1979 and his B.S. in Animal Science in 1976, both from Louisiana State University. Dr. Linscombe is the Director of the Rice Research Station (Dec. 2003 – present). He is also the Senior Rice Breeder and Geneticist at the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station (June 1988 – present) and is responsible for the coordination of all activities within the large scale rice variety development program at the research center.
He started his service with the LSU AgCenter in 1982 as a Rice Agronomist with the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service in Baton Rouge. To mention a few of the numerous awards he has received –in 2012 he was awarded the Doyle Chambers Research Award which is the highest honor given to an LSU Agcenter research scientist. In 2009, he was recognized by the National Conservation Systems at the Cotton & Rice Conference as the “Conservation Systems Rice Researcher of 2009” and was the 2009 Honoree for the 73rd International Rice Festival; in 2007, he received the USA Rice Federation Lifetime Achievement Award; in 2006, he received the Distinguished Rice Research Award by the Rice Technical Working Group; in 2003, the Tipton Team Research Award by the LSU Agricultural Center; in 2001, the Friend of the Farmer Award by Riceland Foods; in 1999, the Endowed Professorship – American Cyanamid Professorship for Plant Genetics, Breeding and Variety Development; in 1997, he was designated the Man of the Year in Louisiana Agriculture by Progressive Farmer magazine; and to date, there have been 29 rice varieties released under his direction.
He has authored and co-authored over 300 publications, including over 70 refereed journal articles in scientific publications. During his research career, he has generated over $17.6 million in grant funding to support his research efforts. He also served as the USAID-Scientific Liaison to the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Board of Trustees from 2005-2008.
On his retirement from the LSU AgCenter, he assumes the position of director of The Rice Foundation, the research and education arm of the U.S. rice industry. In this position he has the honor of directing the prestigious Rice Leadership Development Program which has been in existence for 33 years and has graduated over 230 participants. He also contributes to USA Rice programs in sustainability, food safety and rice quality enhancement.
