Dr. Allen received his Ph.D from the Universoty of Minnesota. He served as department head of the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences before becoming UTIA Director of Variety Trials. Dr. Allen's research interests have included soybean breeding and genetics with an emphasis on developing new soybean cultivars for TN and surrounding states. He also conducted research on statistical and selection techniques aimed at improving the efficiency of plant breeding programs, and research on genetic control of important agronomic traits in soybeans. He has taught Statistics for Biological Research and Advanced Plant Breeding, and served as an advisor to undergraduate and graduate students in the Department.