Sarah Placella

Sarah Placella is the founder and CEO of Root Applied Sciences, a company she established in August 2018.1 With a background in environmental sciences, Placella studied at prestigious institutions including Johns Hopkins University, the University of California, Berkeley, Michigan State at Kellogg Biological Station, and INRAE in France.2

Career Trajectory

Before founding Root Applied Sciences, Placella gained valuable experience in various roles:

• Microbial Ecology and Biogeochemistry Scientist at Trace Genomics (February 2017 - April 2018)1
• Senior Scientist at Sevident, Inc. (May 2015 - December 2015)1

Root Applied Sciences

Placella's company, Root Applied Sciences, focuses on developing innovative solutions for agriculture:

• The company creates sensors that notify farmers of airborne pathogens in agriculture.1
• Their technology helps farmers optimize pesticide use, saving money and promoting community health while creating a more sustainable ecosystem.1
• Root's sensors can detect powdery mildew in vineyards based on its DNA, covering up to 10 acres of grapes per sensor.2

Achievements and Impact

Under Placella's leadership, Root Applied Sciences has demonstrated significant benefits for farmers:

• In a 2021 pilot program, one grower reduced pesticide application by 70% using Root's technology.2
• The company's solution provides more accurate pathogen detection compared to traditional methods, leading to better crop management and reduced environmental impact.2

Sarah Placella's vision for Root Applied Sciences is to distill excellent science into easy-to-interpret products that deliver immediate value to customers.3 Her work exemplifies her commitment to applying scientific research to solve real-world problems in agriculture.