Dr. Samuel (Sam) Crowell is the Senior Director for International Policy and Programs at the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), where he leads on trade and international policy developments that impact the seed industry. Prior to joining ASTA, Sam was a civil servant within the U.S. government, where he worked in agricultural negotiations spanning trade and international organizations. Sam holds a Ph.D. from Cornell University in plant biology, plant breeding, and international agricultural development, where he spent part of his graduate working at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines.