MSU AgBioResearch Interim Director Chad Cotti focuses on mission during leadership transition

On Aug. 1, 2023, Dr. Chad Cotti stepped into a new position as chairperson of the Michigan State University Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics (AFRE). His expertise in the applied microeconomics aspects of health and public policy, coupled with his extensive leadership experience, prepared him to take the next step in his career.

Three years to the day later, Cotti assumed a new role on Aug. 1, 2026, this time as interim director of MSU AgBioResearch after the departure of George Smith. While the search for a permanent director is underway, Cotti will oversee AgBioResearch’s strategic direction, budget and research activities at numerous on- and off-campus facilities around the state.

Cotti wants to emphasize that AgBioResearch’s commitment to the Michigan agriculture and natural resources sectors is as strong as ever.

“I’ve had the opportunity to see the work of AgBioResearch over the three years I’ve been at MSU and come to understand that partnerships are at the center of the organization’s tremendous impact,” Cotti said. “As interim director, I want to continue building collaborations while being a steward of our existing relationships. I look forward to meeting those who make our work possible and engaging in new discussions for potential partnerships.”

Prior to joining MSU, Cotti served as Oshkosh Corporation Endowed Professor and John McNaughton Rosebush Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (UW-Oshkosh). Earlier in his career, he was a tenured professor in the Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics at the University of Connecticut.

Cotti has held several administrative roles at UW-Oshkosh as well, including chairperson of the Department of Economics, interim assistant vice chancellor, and director of budget and finance in the College of Business.

With AgBioResearch, Cotti is leading the agriculture and natural resources research arm of the nation’s first land-grant university alongside associate directors Dr. Kang Xia and Dr. James Averill.

“AgBioResearch has a rich history that dates back nearly 140 years,” Cotti said. “Many significant scientific advancements in agriculture and natural resources were made right here at MSU. While the scope of our research has broadened over the years, our mission to keep agriculture thriving across Michigan and beyond is leading us into the future.”

AgBioResearch’s unwavering commitment

Since its formation in 1888 after the passage of the Hatch Act, AgBioResearch — originally named the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station — is part of a nationwide network of agricultural research organizations aiming to meet the needs of an ever-evolving agriculture industry. Over the course of its history, AgBioResearch’s portfolio has expanded beyond food and fiber production to include research on health, natural resources and the environment.

AgBioResearch supports nearly 300 MSU scientists from seven colleges through position funding and by providing research infrastructure. It’s the partnerships, however, that propel the mission forward.

The collective power of MSU units aligned with AgBioResearch — from colleges to MSU Extension — along with growers and producers, agriculture and natural resources industries and agencies, and state and federal legislators has resulted in significant gains for Michigan agriculture. With an annual economic impact of $125.8 billion, agriculture is the state’s second-largest economic driver, according to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD).

“The heart of AgBioResearch is using science-based approaches to deliver practical solutions to the most pervasive problems affecting agriculture and natural resources,” Cotti said. “That will continue moving forward. We’ve seen success in this area because our work is guided by our stakeholders.”

Three programs viewed as signature initiatives of AgBioResearch and MSU Extension — all joint efforts among MSU, Michigan agriculture industries and MDARD — embody the industry-driven model: Project GREEEN, the Michigan Alliance for Animal Agriculture (M-AAA) and the Agricultural Resiliency Program.

Project GREEEN and M-AAA were established to tackle immediate plant and animal agriculture production challenges, while the Agricultural Resiliency Program is a newer endeavor geared toward more pervasive issues in plant agriculture related to water and extreme weather. In addition to programmatic support, each has included competitive grants to directly address priorities defined by agri-food industries. This seed funding is used to generate preliminary results that are often leveraged to obtain larger state and federal grants.

According to analyses conducted at MSU, in Project GREEEN’s first 25 years, the program created more than $2 billion in economic activity for the state. In the first decade of M-AAA, economic impact totaled more than $960 million.

“One of the most important things we can do as AgBioResearch leaders is continue to emphasize the importance of these critical programs,” Cotti said. “Without them, our ability to conduct research that meets our stakeholders’ needs is severely disrupted. As interim director, I’ll be working with other MSU leaders and partners to ensure that state legislators are aware of the widespread importance of these programs to our agriculture community.

“At MSU, we understand the landscape for research funding has been changing. This is a time for innovation and outside-the-box thinking. But the fundamental goals and mission of AgBioResearch will remain the same: To lead real-world, applied research and scholarship that makes a difference to the people and communities of Michigan. It’s a privilege to serve as interim director, and I’m striving every day to help position the organization and MSU for success.”