Matt Denton Giles
As Country Field Scientist for Corteva Agriscience NZ, I am responsible for managing local trial research with the aim to use these data to register new products in New Zealand. Prior to my six years with Corteva Agriscience NZ, I spent five years working as a post-doctoral plant pathologist in the Western Australian wheat belt.
I have always been interested in biology, coming from a farming background with a family of keen gardeners and several conservationists. I remember visiting the guidance councillor at high school and being told that my top career prospect, according to a computer, was to be an agricultural scientist. I took this with a pinch of salt and followed my interests, focusing on plant biology and genetics at University. When I started working as a laboratory technician, I realised that I needed to upskill to follow a career in science. I completed a PhD in Plant Pathology and gained overseas experience to grow my career as a scientist in New Zealand. This path culminated in a role as a research scientist in Australia working for the Centre of Crop and Disease Management. After five years in this role, I felt that I could make more of a difference to the agricultural industry by working for a private company, where research funding was less restricted. I then began my role with Corteva Agriscience, conducting field research in New Zealand. My current aspirations are to grow as a leader within Corteva Agriscience.
