Andrew Funk

Dr. Funk is a Business Process Analyst in the Office of the Director serving as the project manager for the Grants Modernization Initiative. His main duties include providing strategic planning and analysis to evaluate NIFA’s grants and financial management processes as well as providing recommendations regarding the design and implementation of the future system. 
 
Andrew first joined USDA from 2009-2012 as an ARS research technician in the Genetic Improvement of Fruits and Vegetables lab in Beltsville, MD. After leaving to pursue doctoral degree in plant science, he spent three semesters teaching undergraduate genetics at Carthage College in Wisconsin. He began his current role at USDA-NIFA in 2021.
 
Andrew earned his PhD in Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology from Michigan State University in 2019, studying genetic diversity and evolution of resistance gene families. He also holds a Master of Science degree in Plant Pathology (2009) and Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and Cell Science (2006), both from the University of Florida.