Dr. West received his Ph.D. in 1978 from the University of Nebraska, his M.S. in 1975, and his B.S. in 1969 from Mississippi State University. His emphasis in his graduate programs was crop breeding and genetics. He had a one year appointment as a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Genetics, North Carolina State University 1978-79. He joined the University of Tennessee in July, 1979 as an assistant professor, was promoted to associate professor in 1984 and to professor in 1993. Dr. West's research emphasizes cultivar development in wheat, and germplasm improvement in corn. His corn research has focused on the development of white-grained corn germplasm, and several white-seeded parental lines have been released. Recent emphasis has shifted to a balance between white and yellow grain germplasm enhancement.