2024 Spudman Impact Awards – Andrew Jensen

Andrew Jensen

Manager, Northwest Potato Research Consortium

With a life-long enthusiasm for entomology, Andrew Jensen became exposed to the potato industry at the age of 20, when his quest for a summer job connected him to his mentor, Gary Reed, who has become a major influence in Jensen’s career.

As a student, Jensen worked with Reed on potato-aphid-virus research, which led to Reed becoming his undergraduate and graduate advisor.

“From him, I learned about doing science rigorously. He also taught me a lot about institutions and people and how to navigate a career in research and industry outreach,” Jensen said.

From 1999-2012, Jensen worked for the Washington State Potato Commission, implementing ideas generated from its advisory boards.

Jensen is proud of his work he accomplished at the Washington State Potato Commission, as it ultimately led to “the leap of forming the Northwest Potato Research Consortium” that he said was a cooperative research effort funded by the state potato commissions in Washington, Idaho and Oregon.

The best advice Jensen has received is to double- and triple-check the work, and he most enjoys the diversity of scientific expertise and techniques involved in his work. His favorite potato variety is Alturas, because he has “seen it support an incredible diversity of insects, including herbivores, and still produce a good crop.”