- info@solisagrosciences.com
Role at Solis Agrosciences
- Ensures delivery of high quality data across all Solis projects, serving as the primary liaison between the science delivery and commercial teams
- Develops and manages systems for costing, project management, profit analysis, and team efficiency
- Leads project teams for select engagements in gene editing and transformation
Background
After seven years of plant biology training at Washington University in St. Louis, and a co-op role in Monsanto’s breeding team, Ashley spent six years at Benson Hill working across plant transformation, gene editing, plant breeding, and regulatory affairs. She brought this broad skill base to Solis in 2024, joining as Manager of Science Delivery and was rapidly promoted to a Senior Director role where she plays an integral role in scientific and business operations.
Outside of Work
Ashley enjoys traveling with her husband, Patrick, relaxing outdoors and at home with their dogs and cat, cross-stitching, reading, and being celebrated as the favorite aunt to her young nieces and nephew.
Select Original Research & Invited Reviews
Sherp, A. M., et al. (2018). Modification of auxinic phenoxyalkanoic acid herbicides by the acyl acid amido synthetase GH3.15 from Arabidopsis. The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 293(46), 17731–17738. (Link)
Westfall, C. S., Sherp, A. M., et al. (2016). Arabidopsis thaliana GH3.5 acyl acid amido synthetase mediates metabolic crosstalk in auxin and salicylic acid homeostasis. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 113(48), 13917–13922. (Link and Story)
Jez, J. M., Lee, S. G., & Sherp, A. M. (2016). The next green movement: Plant biology for the environment and sustainability. Science (New York, N.Y.), 353(6305), 1241–1244. (Link)
Education & Training
Washington University in St. Louis
Postdoctoral Fellow, Plant Biochemistry
Washington University in St. Louis
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Plant Molecular Biology
Missouri University of Science and Technology
BS, Biology & Chemistry Minor, Summa Cum Laude
My interest in science was sparked as an undergrad when I was introduced to the potential of plant biotechnology, and it grew as an NSF intern at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. During graduate work at Washington University, my research focused on enzymes involved in plant hormone regulation, which included broad work in plant biology and molecular biology, plant biochemistry, crystallography, and microscopy & localization studies. In my career, I’ve been fortunate to be at the forefront of plant genome editing at Benson Hill and now Solis and believe that we are just scratching the surface of what is possible to improve farm efficiency and food quality.”
– Ashley Sherp, PhD