Barbara Kimmelman
Dean, College of Humanities and Sciences & Professor of History
Contact
Search Hall 310
East Falls Campus
Philadelphia, PA 19144
215-951-6803
215-951-6812 fax
Barbara Kimmelman
Dean, College of Humanities and Sciences & Professor of History
Education
PhD, History and Sociology of Science, University of Pennsylvania (1987)
MA, History and Sociology of Science, University of Pennsylvania (1981)
BS, Biology, State University of New York, Stony Brook (1975)
Focus Areas
History of American genetics; History of agricultural science and plant breeding in relation to genetics; History of evolutionary theory; History of plant exploration and introduction
Academic & Research Interests
Dr. Kimmelman’s research examines the crucial role of agricultural scientists, especially plant breeders and plant explorers, in the post-1900 rise of academic genetics, and specifically the institutionalization of genetics at agricultural colleges and experiment stations within the United States. A more recent project uses the life and work of agricultural scientist and USDA administrator David Fairchild as a lens through which to examine the seed and plant introduction practices that enabled the diversification and “tropicalization” of U.S. agriculture during the twentieth century.