Biological Engineering to Host Seminar on Programming With USDA Official

Steven J. Thomson will conduct the seminar "Programming and Future Needs in AI, Engineering and Robotics at USDA-NIFA" at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 21, at Waldrip Hall in the Don W. Tyson Center for Agricultural Sciences, 1371 W. Altheimer Dr. in Fayetteville.

Thomson serves as national program leader for projects and programs that focus on engineering processes that improve systems relevant to agriculture. He supports research, education and extension activities in these areas.

Thomson has a background in aerial application of crop protection materials, irrigation management, crop modeling, decision support systems, sensor systems and electronics, remote sensing, unmanned aerial systems and general precision agriculture technologies and has worked in research, extension and instruction as faculty member at Virginia Tech and as research lead scientist with the USDA ARS. He engages universities, other federal agencies and industry to provide national leadership in capacity and competitive grant programs.