Steve Knapp was an oil seed geneticist for the OSU Agricultural Experiment Station from 1985-2004. Two of his focuses were Sunflowers and Meadowfoam. Knapp worked on genetically engineering oil seeds to produce more oil for everyday products, including cosmetics and detergent. In 2003, Knapp received the Paul C. Berger Professorship.
Russ Karow is a professor and department head of Crop and Soil Science. Karow began as an Extension Specialist in 1983, later being promoted to Associate Professor in 1988.