Daniel Hayden, PhD

Taylor and Paulette O’Malley Postdoctoral Scholar of Food Systems

Daniel Hayden, PhD, joined SES in 2025 as the Taylor and Paulette O’Malley Postdoctoral Scholar of Food Systems. He holds a BS in plant biology from the University of Oklahoma and a PhD in plant pathology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Hayden’s doctoral research focused on plant-microbial feedbacks in Indigenous cropping systems of the Midwest. As a graduate student, Hayden also collaborated with Indigenous communities in Wisconsin to preserve traditional foodways and support food sovereignty. His work at Loyola University Chicago involves helping urban growers address concerns about soil health.

Education

• BS in plant biology, University of Oklahoma
• PHD in plant pathology, University of Wisconsin-Madison