University of Missouri
Extension Specialist in Soybean Agronomy
Andre Reis, a native of São Paulo, Brazil, often describes himself as a “city boy” who always felt a connection to nature despite not having strong ties to the rural countryside of Brazil. Andre’s passion for agriculture led him to pursue a B.S. in Agronomy from the University of São Paulo. He continued his studies with an M.S. in Crop Science from the Federal University of Tocantins and a Ph.D. in Crop Science from the University of São Paulo. Driven by a desire to explore and understand the natural world, Andre worked for seven years as a crop consultant in rural Brazil, traveling to India and Vietnam to study production systems and sharing his insights back home.
After earning his Ph.D., Andre became a professor in Brazil. He later moved to the United States for a postdoctoral position at Kansas State University during the COVID pandemic. This led to a brief stint at Louisiana State University and then a return to Brazil. However, the University of Missouri invited him to apply for a position, and he accepted, becoming an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Soybean Agronomy.
In his current role at the University of Missouri, Andre focuses on investigating Genotype x Environment interactions, minimizing biotic and abiotic stresses, crop nutrition, biological nitrogen fixation, compositional quality, and crop modeling. He is responsible for the University of Missouri Soybean Variety Testing Program and is dedicated to developing resilient and sustainable production systems for Missouri’s agricultural industry. Andre’s lab usually consists of approximately 10 members, including technicians, research assistants, postdocs, a master’s student, and visiting scholars. Together, they work on various aspects of soybean agronomy, striving to make a meaningful impact on the agricultural community.
One of Andre’s proudest achievements during his Ph.D. in Brazil was discovering a method that increased crop yields by 40-50%, earning him several awards. In the U.S., he emphasizes the importance of creating impactful research that goes beyond academic publications. He is passionate about asking important questions and driving meaningful changes in agricultural practices.
As a member of the Science for Success program, Andre values the networking opportunities and close contact with colleagues facing similar challenges. He first learned about S4S while in Louisiana and officially joined upon moving to Missouri.
Outside of his professional life, Andre is an avid geology enthusiast and rock collector. He is part of the night runners and windsurfers groups in Missouri. With a love for travel, he has visited around 30 countries, with Oceania being the only major region not yet explored. Andre’s diverse experiences and passion for agriculture continue to shape his approach to research and extension, making a significant impact on the field of soybean agronomy.
Story by Aleigha Kelly and Isabella Dean.