Chris Rhodes

Chris Rhodes is the Director of Industry Partnerships and Project-Based Learning at the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES).12 He is an accomplished leader with an international record of entrepreneurship and business-building.4

Rhodes has a diverse background in agriculture, innovation, and business development. He earned a bachelor's degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from Dartmouth College and an MBA from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business.2 While at Duke, he co-founded Precision BioSciences, a biotechnology company specializing in gene editing for plant science and human therapeutics.23

Prior to joining UGA, Rhodes worked for nearly six years at AGCO Corp., holding various global leadership roles in business development, innovation, partnerships, and strategy.2 He also spent over eight years at John Deere in strategic planning and project management positions.23

At CAES, Rhodes facilitates the college's participation in UGA's Innovation District initiative, acting as a liaison between the agriculture industry, students, and faculty.12 Recently, he was appointed as the Executive Director of UGA's Innovation District, a role he will begin on November 1, 2024.3 This appointment underscores his significant contributions to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship at the university.