Academic focus: Seed pathology, integrated pest management and seed microbiomes
Research summary: My research bridges science and practice in crop production, with a focus on seed germination, disease diagnostics and management, seed microbiome ecology, and applying modern technologies across seed production, storage and value chains.
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
These days, I spend most of my free time with our newborn son, who’s hilariously expressive and endlessly fascinating. I’m a runner by habit, but strolling with him has been just as energizing. My family and I love to travel, and we gravitate toward national parks, beaches and big cities when we need a mental reset.
What are your current outreach/extension projects?
Right now, I’m in early stages of conducting needs assessments across seed companies and grower networks. One project on the horizon is a grower-focused online seed health course to support practical knowledge sharing. Stay tuned as lots more will be coming, including on-demand grower resources to increase sustainable farming in New York and beyond.
What brought you to Cornell CALS?
Having previously worked with the Produce Safety Alliance at Cornell, I experienced the collaborative and science-driven environment that defines CALS. It’s a place where research meets real-world application and where I can grow a program with purpose, backed by strong institutional support.
What do you think is important for people to understand about your field?
Seeds are the unsung heroes of our food system. They hold genetic memory, microbial communities and the potential for entire harvests. With climate shifts and evolving pests, seed health is more than science: It’s survival.
Why did you feel inspired to pursue a career in this field?
Growing up in Uganda, I saw how crop diseases could crush livelihoods. It’s hard for farmers to guard seeds from postharvest and seedborne diseases, yet that’s the foundation of the next season. My graduate research on Pyrenophora and Fusarium, and later extension work at Oregon State University shaped my calling: to put science in service of the grower. Cornell’s platform helps amplify that mission.
What advice do you have for students interested in your field of study?
Stay curious and ask bold questions. Don’t be afraid to reach out to people doing the work you admire. And always connect your seed science work to a real-world need: Make your curiosity count.
Learn more about Collins from his CALS profile and his Seed Biology & Technology Program website.
