Albert Kern

Honorary Degrees
 
 

Albert KernAlbert Kern
Businessman/Scientist

California State University, San Marcos

Dr. Albert Kern is nationally and internationally recognized for four decades of excellence and extraordinary achievement in the field of biotechnology and life sciences. He is known as a leader for his work for the Monsanto Company in North America and the Mycogen Corporation. As Director of Product Development for 12 years at Monsanto, he developed, registered, and launched the household herbicide, Roundup. As Executive Vice President of Mycogen for 11 years, he took the company from start-up through an Initial Public Offering (IPO), growth to 1,200 employees and sale to Dow Chemical Company. He also was the President and CEO of Entomos, Inc., where he developed strategy, raised capital, secured corporate relationships and advanced the agricultural company’s novel bioscience technologies.

Dr. Kern received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in plant industries from Southern Illinois University, and his Ph.D. in plant and soil science from Michigan State University.

His special connection to the university began as a Director of the Founding Board of the California State University, San Marcos Foundation. For nine years he gave his time and service, including an appointment as Foundation Vice Chair. He has been an active and vital member of the CSUSM community since its earliest years. Most significantly, he assisted in the development, creation and launch of the university’s undergraduate degree in biotechnology, and the biotech lab tech certificate program.

He designed and taught a number of biotech classes, developed the biotech internship program, and built critical connections to local biotech firms to support student interns. He joined the CSUSM Extended Learning team as Interim Associate Dean to assist in jumpstarting its self-support biotech programs. In addition, he has played a key part in helping the university raise funds for the university’s biotechnology programs.

In recognition of his outstanding service to his field and commitment to the university and higher education, both in the laboratory and the classroom, the Board of Trustees of the California State University and California State University, San Marcos are proud to confer upon Dr. Albert Kern the honorary degree of Doctor of Science.