Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Quote
Publications
Selected Publications
Timeline
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Sarah Beebout

Sarah Beebout

Jessup,MD

Summary

Experienced research program director with a passion for delivering trans-disciplinary research products and assessing sustainability outcomes. Skilled at engaging diverse stakeholders and developing mission-driven strategic plans that foster team buy-in. Known for strong cross-cultural communication and problem-solving abilities, reliability, and a results-driven mindset.

Overview

21
21
years of professional experience

Work History

National Program Leader, Sustainable Intensification

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service
01.2019 - Current
  • Engaged with key stakeholders across public and private sectors to gather feedback and insights, using this information to refine and improve delivery of US$ 92 million (annual) research program to improve agriculture and food system sustainability.
  • Developed and executed strategic plans for program enhancement, resulting in higher stakeholder and employee satisfaction across 25 locations within the USA.
  • Cultivated a culture of continuous improvement empowering team members (105 PhD research scientists) to share ideas and suggestions for program optimization.
  • Successfully integrated social science into a research program that had historically been focused on biophysical sciences, resulting in the creation of three new permanent research social scientist positions, as well as multiple post-doctoral fellowship positions. Recruited and mentored these scientists for success.

Senior Scientist, Soil Chemistry

International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
01.2015 - 12.2018
  • Engaged stakeholders from diverse backgrounds (research, NGO, private sector, regulatory, government) in the Sustainable Rice Platform. Successfully negotiated and published two major consensus documents (Sustainable Rice Platform Standard and Indicators).
  • Led strategic change in my research division (2017-2018), providing oversight of about 200 employees (including about 10 direct reports), resulting in reorganization into the multidisciplinary Sustainable Impact Platform.
  • Championed interdisciplinary collaboration across biophysical science and social science departments, fostering innovation and creative problem-solving among colleagues.
  • Provided leadership and line management for 8 research leaders from diverse cultural (American, Australian, Bangladeshi, Filipino, German, Indian, Japanese) and disciplinary backgrounds (soil fertility, chemistry, and physics; agronomy; hydrology; plant physiology).
  • Managed two rounds of employee lay-offs due to shifting organizational priorities and funding.

Scientist, Soil Chemist

International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
01.2009 - 12.2014
  • Coordinated interdisciplinary rice biofortification research collaborations (soil science, agronomy, plant breeding, plant physiology, human nutrition, sociology) to tackle the complex issue of human zinc deficiency from multiple perspectives effectively.
  • Developed a high-performing research team of 2 post-doctoral fellows, 4 graduate students, 5 support scientists, and 6 research technicians, through targeted recruitment, training, and mentorship.
  • Mentored an additional team of about 12 researchers and technicians on best laboratory practices, resulting in ISO 17025 certification of IRRI's Analytical Services Laboratory.
  • Promoted a positive work culture that motivated both individual excellence as well as collaborative success within the research team, increasing both the number of team publications and the advancement of team members' careers.
  • Participated as a manager in one investigation of employee misconduct and two investigations of scientific fraud (falsifying data).
  • Organized international scientific conferences, promoting knowledge exchange and networking while serving as the American Society of Agronomy's Global Agronomy Section leader.
  • Secured competitive research grants and fostered collaborations with international research teams, enriching the scope of scientific inquiry.
  • Ensured integrity and reproducibility of research findings by serving as a technical editor for the Soil Science Society of America Journal.

International Research Fellow

International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
05.2005 - 12.2008
  • Modified and adapted at least 4 standard analytical chemistry methods and procedures to solve analytical problems related to the complex matrix of environmental (soil, water, and air) samples. Enhanced research quality by implementing rigorous quality control methodologies and data analysis techniques in my team of 4 technicians and 4 support scientists.
  • Improved laboratory efficiency with implementation of robust safety protocols and training sessions, leading the division level Risk Management and Quality Assurance committee for 3 years.
  • Mentored junior researchers, including 4 support scientists and 3 graduate students, providing guidance on experimental design, data analysis, and manuscript preparation.
  • Secured grant funding for zinc soil chemistry project through persuasive proposal writing and effective collaboration with team members and collaborators.

Post-doctoral Fellow, Soil Scientist

International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
04.2004 - 04.2005
  • Designed, implemented, and published research studies (with 5 resulting publications) on managing rice crop residues between seasons, advancing understanding of greenhouse gas emissions from flooded soils.
  • Conducted field research in challenging environments and supplemented it with data from more controlled greenhouse and laboratory experiments.
  • Translated complex scientific concepts into accessible presentations for cross-cultural international audiences.

Education

Ph.D. - Soil Science

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY
01.2004

Master of Science - Soil Chemistry

Texas A&M University
College Station, TX
12.1999

Bachelor of Science - Chemistry

Wheaton College
Wheaton, IL
05.1997

Skills

  • Trans-disciplinary research collaboration
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Strategic planning
  • Program management
  • Employee mentorship
  • Cultural competency

Accomplishments

  • Developed the USDA Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) network Sustainability Framework (v.2024) in collaboration with a transdisciplinary team of scientists.
  • Led a collaborative process to develop a 5-year research strategy for sustainable agricultural systems research program, resulting in the implementation of 28 peer-reviewed team projects.
  • Achieved the integration of social sciences into USDA Agriculture Research Service programs through building stakeholder buy-in, creating social science research positions, and mentoring scientists to overcome barriers.
  • Co-led USDA Climate Hubs to translate climate science into usable information and tools for agricultural and forestry stakeholders.

Quote

Don’t believe everything you think.
Byron Katie

Publications

Sustainable Agriculture  

Devkota, K.P., Beebout, S.E.J., Sudhir-Yadav, and Bunquin, M.A.B. 2022. Setting  sustainability targets for irrigated rice production and application of the  Sustainable Rice Platform performance indicators. Environmental Impact  Assessment Review 92:106697. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2021.106697  

Devkota, K.P., Pasuquin, E., Elmido-Mabilangan, A., Dikitanan, R., Singleton, G.R.,  Stuart, A.M., Vithoonjit, D., Viriyangkura, L., Pustika, A.B., Afriani, R., Listyowati,  C.L., Keerthisena, R.S.K., Kieu, N.T., Malabayabas, A.J., Hu, R., Pan, J., and  Beebout, S.E.J. 2019. Economic and environmental indicators of sustainable rice  cultivation: A comparison across intensive irrigated rice cropping systems in six  Asian countries. Ecological Indicators 105:199-214.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2019.05.029    

Stuart, A., Devkota, K., Sato, T., Pame, A.R.P., Balingbing, C., Nguyen, T.M.P., Nguyen,  T.K., Pham, T.M.H., Tran, H.L., Beebout, S., Singleton, G.R. 2018. On-farm  assessment of different rice crop management practices in the Mekong Delta,  Vietnam, using sustainability performance indicators. Field Crops Research  229:103-114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2018.10.001   

Multidisciplinary  

Harmel, R.D., Kleinman, P., Eve, M., Ippolito, J.A., Beebout, S., Delgado, J.,  Vandenberg, B., and Buser, M. 2021. The Partnerships for Data Innovations (PDI):  Facilitating data stewardship and catalyzing research engagement in the digital  age. Agricultural and Environmental Letters 6:e20055.  https://doi.org/10.1002/ael2.20055    

Rubianes, F.H.C., B.P. Mallikarjuna Swamy, and S.E. Johnson-Beebout. 2018. Irrigation  management risks and Zn fertilization needs in Zn biofortification breeding in  lowland rice. Experimental Agriculture 54(3):382-398.  https://doi.org/10.1017/S0014479717000084   

Mabesa, R.L., S.M. Impa, D. Grewal, and S.E. Johnson-Beebout. 2013. Contrasting  grain-Zn response of biofortification rice (Oryza sativa L.) breeding lines to foliar  Zn application. Field Crops Research 149:223–233.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2013.05.012    

Impa, S.M., M.J. Morete, A.M. Ismail, R. Schulin, and S.E. Johnson-Beebout. 2013. Zn  uptake, translocation, and grain Zn loading in rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes  selected for Zn-deficiency tolerance and high grain Zn. Journal of Experimental  Botany 64(10):2739-2751. https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/ert118    

Redox Chemistry  

Wells, N.S., Clough, T.J., Johnson-Beebout, S.E., and Baisden, W.T. 2019. Effects of  denitrification and transport on the isotopic composition of nitrate (δ18O, δ15N)  in freshwater systems. Science of the Total Environment 651(2): 2228-2234.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.10.065   

Affholder, M.C., Weiss, D.J., Wissuwa, M., Johnson-Beebout, S.E., and Kirk,  G.J.D. 2017. Soil CO2 venting as one of the mechanisms for tolerance of Zn  deficiency by rice in flooded soils. Plant, Cell & Environment 40(12):3018-3030.  https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.13069     

Bunquin, M.A.B., S.Tandy, S. Johnson Beebout, and R. Schulin. 2017. Influence of soil  properties on Zn solubility dynamics under different redox conditions in non calcareous soils. Pedosphere 27(1):96-105. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1002 0160(17)60299-6   

Johnson-Beebout, S.E., J.B. Goloran, F.H.C. Rubianes, J.D.C. Jacob, and O.B.  Castillo. 2016. Zn uptake behavior of rice genotypes and its implication on grain  Zn biofortification. Scientific Reports 6:38301. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep38301   

Tuyogon, D.S.J., S.M. Impa, O.B. Castillo, W. Larazo, and S.E. Johnson-Beebout. 2016.  Enriching rice grain Zn through Zn fertilization and water management. Soil  Science Society of America Journal 80:121-134.   https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2015.07.0262    

Reviews  

Slamet-Loedin, I.H., S.E.Johnson-Beebout, S.M. Impa  and N. Tsakirpaloglou. 2015.  Enriching rice with Zn and Fe while minimizing Cd risk. Frontiers in Plant  Science 6:121. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2015.00121   

Impa, S.M., and S.E. Johnson-Beebout. 2012. Mitigating zinc deficiency and achieving  high grain Zn in rice through integration of soil chemistry and plant physiology  research. Plant and Soil 361:3-41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-012-1315-3   

Bijay-Singh, Shan YH, Johnson-Beebout SE, Yadvinder-Singh, Buresh RJ. 2008. Crop  residue management for lowland rice-based cropping systems in Asia. Advances  in Agronomy 98:117–199. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0065-2113(08)00203-4

Selected Publications

Sustainable Agriculture

Devkota, K.P., Beebout, S.E.J., Sudhir-Yadav, and Bunquin, M.A.B. 2022. Setting sustainability targets for irrigated rice production and application of the  Sustainable Rice Platform performance indicators. Environmental Impact  Assessment Review 92:106697. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2021.106697

Devkota, K.P., Pasuquin, E., Elmido-Mabilangan, A., Dikitanan, R., Singleton, G.R.,  Stuart, A.M., Vithoonjit, D., Viriyangkura, L., Pustika, A.B., Afriani, R., Listyowati,  C.L., Keerthisena, R.S.K., Kieu, N.T., Malabayabas, A.J., Hu, R., Pan, J., and  Beebout, S.E.J. 2019. Economic and environmental indicators of sustainable rice  cultivation: A comparison across intensive irrigated rice cropping systems in six  Asian countries. Ecological Indicators 105:199-214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2019.05.029

Stuart, A., Devkota, K., Sato, T., Pame, A.R.P., Balingbing, C., Nguyen, T.M.P., Nguyen,  T.K., Pham, T.M.H., Tran, H.L., Beebout, S., Singleton, G.R. 2018. On-farm  assessment of different rice crop management practices in the Mekong Delta,  Vietnam, using sustainability performance indicators. Field Crops Research  229:103-114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2018.10.001

Biofortification

Miner, G.L., C.E. Stewart, J.A. Delgado, J.A. Ippolito, R.E. Mason, S.D. Haley, M.J. Guttieri, E.A. Ainsworth, J.M. McGrath, and S.J. Beebout. 2024. Global change impacts on mineral nutritional quality of cereal grains: Coordinated datasets and analyses to advance a systems-based understanding. Field Crops Research 310:109338. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2024.109338

 

Goloran, J.B., Johnson-Beebout, S.E., Morete, M.J., Impa, S.M., Kirk, G.J.D., Wissuwa, M. 2019. Grain Zn concentrations and yield of Zn-biofortified versus Zn-efficient rice genotypes under contrasting growth conditions. Field Crops Research 234:26-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2019.01.011

Rubianes, F.H.C., B.P. Mallikarjuna Swamy, and S.E. Johnson-Beebout. 2018. Irrigation  management risks and Zn fertilization needs in Zn biofortification breeding in  lowland rice. Experimental Agriculture 54(3):382-398.  https://doi.org/10.1017/S0014479717000084 

Mori, A., Kirk, G.J.D., Lee, J-S., Morete, M.J., Nanda, A.K., Johnson-Beebout, S.E., Wissuwa, M. 2016. Rice genotype differences in tolerance of zinc-deficient soils: Evidence for the importance of root-induced changes in the rhizosphere. Frontiers in Plant Science 6 - 2015. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2015.01160

Johnson-Beebout, S.E., J.B. Goloran, F.H.C. Rubianes, J.D.C. Jacob, and O.B.  Castillo. 2016. Zn uptake behavior of rice genotypes and its implication on grain  Zn biofortification. Scientific Reports 6:38301. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep38301

Tuyogon, D.S.J., S.M. Impa, O.B. Castillo, W. Larazo, and S.E. Johnson-Beebout. 2016.  Enriching rice grain Zn through Zn fertilization and water management. Soil  Science Society of America Journal 80:121-134.   https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2015.07.0262

Mabesa, R.L., S.M. Impa, D. Grewal, and S.E. Johnson-Beebout. 2013. Contrasting  grain-Zn response of biofortification rice (Oryza sativa L.) breeding lines to foliar  Zn application. Field Crops Research 149:223–233.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2013.05.012

Impa, S.M., M.J. Morete, A.M. Ismail, R. Schulin, and S.E. Johnson-Beebout. 2013. Zn  uptake, translocation, and grain Zn loading in rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes selected for Zn-deficiency tolerance and high grain Zn. Journal of Experimental  Botany 64(10):2739-2751. https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/ert118

Soil Redox Chemistry

Wells, N.S., Clough, T.J., Johnson-Beebout, S.E., and Baisden, W.T. 2019. Effects of  denitrification and transport on the isotopic composition of nitrate (d18O, d15N)  in freshwater systems. Science of the Total Environment 651(2): 2228-2234.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.10.065

Affholder, M.C., Weiss, D.J., Wissuwa, M., Johnson-Beebout, S.E., and Kirk,  G.J.D. 2017. Soil CO2 venting as one of the mechanisms for tolerance of Zn  deficiency by rice in flooded soils. Plant, Cell & Environment 40(12):3018-3030.  https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.13069

Bunquin, M.A.B., S.Tandy, S. Johnson Beebout, and R. Schulin. 2017. Influence of soil  properties on Zn solubility dynamics under different redox conditions in non calcareous soils. Pedosphere 27(1):96-105. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1002 0160(17)60299-6

Izquierdo, M., Impa, S.M., Johnson-Beebout, S.E., Weiss, D.J., Kirk, G.J.D. 2016. Measurement of isotopically-exchangeable Zn in Zn-deficient paddy soil. European Journal of Soil Science 67(1): 51-59. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejss.12303

Soil Chemistry Methods

Jacob, J.D.C., Rubianes, F.H., Johnson-Beebout, S.E., Buresh, R.J. 2014. Zinc fertilizer test kit for semi-quantitative verification of fertilizer quality. Journal of Plant Nutrition 37(8):1237-1254. https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2014.881868

Reviews

Slamet-Loedin, I.H., S.E.Johnson-Beebout, S.M. Impa  and N. Tsakirpaloglou. 2015.  Enriching rice with Zn and Fe while minimizing Cd risk. Frontiers in Plant  Science 6:121. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2015.00121

Impa, S.M., and S.E. Johnson-Beebout. 2012. Mitigating zinc deficiency and achieving  high grain Zn in rice through integration of soil chemistry and plant physiology  research. Plant and Soil 361:3-41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-012-1315-3

Bijay-Singh, Shan YH, Johnson-Beebout SE, Yadvinder-Singh, Buresh RJ. 2008. Crop residue management for lowland rice-based cropping systems in Asia. Advances  in Agronomy 98:117–199. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0065-2113(08)00203-4

Harmel, R.D., Kleinman, P., Eve, M., Ippolito, J.A., Beebout, S., Delgado, J.,  Vandenberg, B., and Buser, M. 2021. The Partnerships for Data Innovations (PDI):  Facilitating data stewardship and catalyzing research engagement in the digital  age. Agricultural and Environmental Letters 6:e20055. https://doi.org/10.1002/ael2.20055

Timeline

National Program Leader, Sustainable Intensification

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service
01.2019 - Current

Senior Scientist, Soil Chemistry

International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
01.2015 - 12.2018

Scientist, Soil Chemist

International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
01.2009 - 12.2014

International Research Fellow

International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
05.2005 - 12.2008

Post-doctoral Fellow, Soil Scientist

International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
04.2004 - 04.2005

Ph.D. - Soil Science

Cornell University

Master of Science - Soil Chemistry

Texas A&M University

Bachelor of Science - Chemistry

Wheaton College
Sarah Beebout