Institute lays off scientist researching biomass crop

The Institute for Advanced Learning & Research could see more than half a million dollars in new federal funding for crop research if an appropriations bill becomes law. But one scientist working on a related project said he lost his job because of budget cuts.

M. Javed Iqbal, a scientist at the Institute for Sustainable and Renewable Resources, headed a project on researching Jerusalem artichokes for biofuels and biomass until he was laid off June 30. Iqbal, who was hired in 2006 as a research assistant professor and promoted to Scientist II in 2008, said he is concerned for the future of the program.

“The Jerusalem artichoke as an industrial program is in doubt as the Institute has laid me off,” Iqbal said in an e-mail Friday. “The Jerusalem artichoke program was my brainchild and I did all the efforts in starting this program and getting it to a point where it was going to take off and be an economic opportunity for the Southside Virginia.”

Contacted by phone Monday, Iqbal said he was given less than 30 minutes notice of his termination. He said he had no knowledge of any staff reductions and his was the only layoff that he knew about.

Working under ISRR director Barry Flinn, Iqbal had been head of the project with two staffers working with him — a graduate student and a technician/research specialist. Iqbal said he was unsure who had the rights to his research — himself or the Institute.

“They (the Institute) say that they’re going to use the money from the federal earmarks they’re getting to do work on the artichoke,” he said, “but it’s not the person who conceived the idea (who will be doing the work). These things sound strange to me … What’s the use of earmarks if the person is not working there?”

Research on Jerusalem artichokes at the Institute began in 2007 in an effort to find non-food alternatives to corn for ethanol production. Iqbal said his team has been conducting trials at one-acre plots in Gretna and Blacksburg.

“I think they plan on continuing this project minus me,” he said, “but I don’t know what their plans are.”

Deborah Morehead, director of communication and public relations at the Institute, could give no com-ments on Iqbal’s termination or budget issues until Gov. Timothy M. Kaine releases state budget information.

Contact Amos at or (434) 791-7983.