Julie Abendroth has always had one foot in the country and one foot in the city. She and her identical twin sister, Lori, grew up living and going to school in Omaha. During summers, they lived in the country, helping with fieldwork on their mother's family farm near Lyons and their dad's family farm near Bancroft. Their parents straddled both city and rural spheres because of their mom's professional career in Omaha and their dad's passion to farm.

Our greatest challenge and opportunity is producing a nutritious, abundant food supply to an ever-growing population, with less land and in a changing climate. Julie Abendroth

Earning her undergraduate and master's degrees, both in agronomy from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, gave Julie opportunities to pursue her interest in science and math.

In addition to developing a strong foundation in science as an undergraduate, Abendroth said her graduate studies helped her develop critical thinking skills.

"I loved my time at Nebraska," she said.

After receiving her graduate degree, Abendroth was an extension agronomist for the University of Missouri. After six years with MU extension, she began working for DuPont Pioneer. She was an agronomy trial manager/field agronomist for two years and research scientist for five years.

Abendroth currently is the global lead for integrated seed product strategy for DowDuPont (Corteva Agriscience). She is passionate about better understanding the underlying factors responsible for yield stability and variability on a micro and macro scale. In her current role, she is focused on evaluating product concepts that utilize multiple technologies, including germplasm, native and transgenic traits, and chemistries.

"Our greatest challenge and opportunity is producing a nutritious, abundant food supply to an ever-growing population, with less land and in a changing climate," she said.

"I am excited about what I can do in my own small way to help farmers globally to be able to continue their livelihoods and farm sustainably."

During her time at Nebraska, Abendroth was a member of the Cornhusker Marching Band, resident of Love Memorial Hall and leader for the Berean "Campus Impact" college ministry. Her current interests include hosting dinner parties, traveling and spending time outdoors, competing in triathlons and participating in various activities at her church.