Name: Robert V. Osgood
Age: 55
Position: Assistant research director, Hawaii Agriculture Research Center
First job: Lifeguard,
Hobby: Gardening

"We've divided ourselves up into groups and concentrated on forestry, coffee and tropical fruits," Osgood said. "We have a new project on botanical extracts -- finding uses like cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and flavorings."

He began his career with the center, formerly known as the Hawaiian Sugar Planters Association, in 1968 working on weed control. Osgood also has worked on sugarcane ripening and diversified crops.

He is Oahu director of the Hawaii Forestry Industry Association and head of the Hawaii Crop Improvement Association.

Osgood earned a bachelor's degree in biology at the University of Miami and master's and doctorate degrees in horticulture at the University of Hawaii.