Work with thought leaders and academic experts in Agronomy and Crop Science

Seasoned Ph.D. in Biotechnology with a robust background in plant biology, environmental biotechnology, molecular biology, microbiology, physiology, and biochemical analysis. Demonstrated proficiency in sample collection, laboratory analysis, meticulous data analysis, and comprehensive documentation and reporting. Bringing a wealth of experience and a commitment to excellence, I am dedicated to advancing my skills and making a significant impact in the field.

Dr. Maurice O’ Sullivan is a sensory scientist and senior lecturer in food science working in the School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, UCC. In the past Maurice has worked in the food industry as a sensory scientist and flavour chemist for Diageo Baileys and Guinness. He has worked as a food technologist and process/product development scientist for the processed foods sector in the 1990’s as well as more recently a product development consultant to the dairy, meat and beverage industries. He has a Ph.D. in Sensory and Consumer science from the Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark as well as MSc. and BSc. Degrees in Food Science and Technology from University College Cork (UCC). Currently Maurice works in the School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork as a senior lecturer and sensory and product reformulation project coordinator on large scale multi-million euro research projects. For many years he has also managed the “Sensory Unit” at UCC working on sensory and flavour based projects involving a diverse selection of products. This sensory science based service (at UCC) includes testing the difference, affective and descriptive analysis of foods and beverages as well as assessing shelf-life and comparing sensory results to microbiological and analytical (instrumental, physic-chemical) data using multivariate data analysis (MVA). Sensory testing is critical for new product development/optimisation, ingredient substitution and devising appropriate packaging and comparing foods or beverages to competitor’s products. Again, the key to unlocking the hidden secrets of this multimodal data is with MVA (Multivariate Data Analysis). To date Maurice has secured significant research funding of €5,300,000 Gross, €3,843,329.30 to UCC. He has worked in the area of targeted ingredient (salt, fat, sugar) reduction in foods since 1997. The focus of this research has been reduction of negative ingredients linked to civilisation diseases (Diabetes, Obesity, Heart Disease, Anaemia) while maintaining sensory properties, but also improving nutritional quality of developed products. To date this research has produced numerous publications with many more in development. Other research areas include Cross Cultural Sensory Perception of Irish Dairy Products in Asia, Europe and North America as well as Foods for the Elderly, Packaging and Meat optimisation. Maurice has published more than 200 sensory or consumer research based articles (papers, book chapters, proceedings etc.).

I am an accomplished scientist with plant molecular biology, genetics, genomics, and controlled environment agriculture expertise. Over my career, I have developed enhanced crop lines in Maize, Strawberry, Potato, Mustard, and Maize through innovative genetic and transgenic approaches. As a Senior Lead Scientist at AeroFarms and Researcher in academia, I have led multidisciplinary projects funded by NSF, USDA, and industry partners, resulting in numerous high-impact publications and novel insights. My leadership extends to pioneering new cultivation systems for blueberries and mentoring teams in effective project management and collaboration.

Dr. Athul Prasad received his MBA from MIT where he was a Sloan Fellow, M.Sc. (Tech.) (with distinction) and D.Sc. (Tech) from Aalto University, B.Tech (with distinction) from University of Kerala, and is also a graduate of the year-long executive management (LEAD) program from Stanford University's Graduate School of Business. He was with Nokia from 2014-2023 and is currently with Samsung based out of Mountain View, CA. He has coauthored over 40 peer reviewed scientific publications and has written a book on 5G "End-to-End Mobile Communications: Evolution to 5G," McGraw-Hill, Aug. 2020. He's also the co-inventor of over 90 patents.

Javier O. Morales is a highly accomplished and experienced pharmaceutical professional with a strong academic background and extensive practical experience. He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy in 2006 and the Pharmaceutical Chemist degree in 2008 from the University of Chile. He then went on to obtain his Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics from The University of Texas at Austin in 2012. Dr. Morales has since worked as an Assistant Professor and later as an Associate Professor at the University of Chile. He has also served as the Director of the Center of New Drugs for Hypertension (CENDHY), where he led a team of researchers in developing new and innovative pharmaceutical treatments for hypertension. Dr. Morales has a strong passion for research and has published numerous articles in international journals and has patented his developed technologies. His expertise in pharmaceuticals, nano and microstructured drug delivery systems, implants, and peptide drug discovery has made him a sought-after speaker at conferences and symposiums around the world. In addition to his academic and research achievements, Dr. Morales is also a dedicated mentor and has supervised and mentored several students in their research projects. He is known for his commitment to excellence and his ability to motivate and inspire others. Overall, Dr. Morales is a highly respected and accomplished pharmaceutical professional with a strong track record of success in academia. His contributions to the field of pharmaceutical sciences have made a significant impact, and he continues to be a leader in the industry.

Environmental scientist (Soil microbiologist) with vast experience in carrying out farmer demand driven researches, for improved agricultural production, food security and agricultural sustainability while ensuring environmental sustainability. Vast experience in the development of technologies to solve agricultural and soil challenges using microbial technology. Executed various applied researches in sub-saharan Africa by  attracting national and  international grants.

•I am a Research Scientist of Crop Transformation at MaxGene Bioscience. In a research career spanning 26 years, I was a Junior Research Fellow of the Rockefeller Foundation, a doctoral fellow of the Hindustan Ciba-Geigy (presently Syngenta), and a post-doctoral fellow of the Rockefeller Foundation. <br> •My current research expertise - Plant Genetic Engineering, plant-based pharmaceutical compounds as integrative treatment options for cancer, mammalian and plant tissue culture, agrigenomics, bioinformatics aimed at molecular evolution of cancer protein domains, and phytoremediation to reclaim cultivable land near oil fields. •My transferable research skills - molecular biology, cancer biology, phytopharmaceuticals, plant biotechnology, and bioinformatics On the personal side....I am a natural storyteller and more specifically a "Science Storyteller" and am passionate about promoting citizen science. I am also a bibliophile (I read books with any interesting subject...my favorites being THE DOUBLE HELIX (by James Watson), THE COMPLETE WORKS OF O. HENRY, ZEN AND THE ART OF MOTORCYCLE MAINTENANCE, THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO GALAXY, and THE FOUNTAINHEAD....in that order!!!). My free time is devoted to the three M's...MUSIC, MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, and MOVIES.

Instrumental in leading the development of Ascribe technology from start-up to successful execution. Skilled in identifying and capitalizing on emerging technologies and executing R&D strategic objectives to accelerate the product development process and increase customer centricity across different markets. Excel in overseeing cross-function projects with substantial R&D budgets to transform scientific discoveries into market-ready products. Tech leader and inventor with solid business acumen, holding patents for successful start-up and market-ready products. Expert at developing high-performing teams for commercializing new, differentiated, and disruptive products. Experienced researcher with effective communication and interpersonal skills; known for expanding business by collaborating with industry leaders, academic researchers, and contract research organizations. Passionate about driving innovation and delivering impactful results for business growth and market expansion. As a Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Plant Science, I bring a strong background and expertise in agriculture and biopharmaceutical research. But more than that, I am driven by a deep passion for advancing Agtech, Foodtech, and Biotech solutions. My mission is to harness the power of nature to create sustainable and effective products that can enhance plant and human health.

Mekala Venkatachalam is a highly educated and experienced professional in the field of Microbial Fermentation and Food technology. She received her Ph.D. in Microbial Biotechnology from Université de La Réunion in 2017, where she conducted research on the use of microorganisms to produce pigments for various applications in the food industry. Prior to her doctoral studies, she completed her MS.c in Food Quality and Innovation from University of Leeds in 2012, where she focused on the development of new food products and quality control measures. Venkatachalam's passion for food technology began during her undergraduate studies at Anna University, Chennai, where she earned her B.Tech in Food Technology in 2011. She then went on to gain valuable experience in the industry, working as a Research Associate at Kemin Food Technologies and as an Innovation Scientist at Sensient Bionutrients. Currently, Venkatachalam works as a Consultant and Subject Matter Expert, utilizing her extensive knowledge and expertise to provide guidance and support to various organizations in the biosciences industry on fermentation related projects. With her strong background in research and development, as well as her practical experience in food and microbial technology, she is able to offer valuable insights and innovative solutions to complex challenges. Throughout her career, Venkatachalam has published several research papers and has presented her work at various conferences and seminars. She is dedicated to staying updated on the latest advancements in her field and is committed to using her skills and knowledge to contribute to the growth and advancement of the food and biosciences industry.

Elvis Ebikade is a Senior Sustainable Fuel Consultant at Southwest Airlines where he leads Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) offtake opportunities, engages on SAF policy, and collaborates with downstream stakeholders on SAF distribution, blending and logistics. He is an accomplished SAF expert with 10+ years’ experience in low carbon fuels, circularity, and biomass valorization and experienced in building relationships with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) producers, policy lobbyists, midstream pipeline leaders and airport fuel farm operators. He holds 2 patents on lignin valorization and his > 10 research publications on biomass valorization and low carbon products have a total citation count \~300. His exceptional ability in his area of technical expertise afforded him US permanent residence. He is an active member of ASTM Committee D02 (petroleum products, liquid Fuels, & lubricants), Aviation Sustainability Center (ASCENT), and Aviation climate taskforce (ACT). Prior to his current role, Elvis worked at the Boston Consulting Group, performing market analysis, and evaluating competitive landscape for new sustainable fuels business development opportunities across agriculture and energy industries. Elvis has a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, an M.Sc., and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware. His PhD thesis was on catalysis and process engineering for unconventional biomass conversion

I, Hafiz Muhammad Ansab Jamil is a highly educated and experienced individual in the field of biotechnology. I holds a PhD in Biotechnology from COMSATS University Islamabad - Abbottabad Campus, which is in completion stage in spring 2024. Prior to that, I obtained an MS in Biotechnology from the same university in 2017. I have also gained valuable industry experience through a role as a Scientific Officer (Executive) at Qarshi Research International Pvt Ltd Hattar. In this position, I am responsible for conducting research and implementing new biotechnological techniques and processes in the field of DNA barcoding and fingerprinting. In addition, I have also worked as a Research Assistant in Biotic and Abiotic stress, transcriptomics and proteomics Lab at COMSATS University Islamabad - Abbottabad Campus. In this role, I assisted in various research projects and gained hands-on experience in conducting experiments and analyzing data. My education and experience have equipped me with a strong foundation in biotechnology and have allowed me to develop essential skills in research, analysis, and problem-solving. I am a dedicated and passionate individual who is committed to making a positive impact in the field of biotechnology.

Ryan’s primary research focuses on the ethical issues surrounding artificial intelligence and digital technology. He has published numerous papers on the topic, and has presented his work at various international conferences. He is also a member of the Association for Computing Machinery’s (ACM) Committee on Professional Ethics (COPE). Mark was previously a researcher at KTH University (Stockholm), the University of Twente (the Netherlands), and the National University of Ireland, Galway (Ireland). While at Twente, he worked on an interdisciplinary  project (SHERPA), involving 11 partners from 6 European countries. This project was a European Union Horizon 2020 project (2018-2021, budget €3 million) and focused on the ethical, social and human rights implications of smart information systems (data analytics and artificial intelligence) within a European context. He has published on topics, such as the ethics of smart cities, self-driving vehicles, agricultural data analytics, social robotics, and AI. In his previous research, he has also published a 2016 monograph: Human Values, Environmental Ethics and Sustainability.

Dr. Giuliana Noratto is a senior associate research scientist at Texas A&M AgriLife. She received her Ph.D. in food science and technology from Texas A&M University System, and her M.Sc. in food science and technology from Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina. She also holds a B.S. in food science and technology from Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina. Dr. Noratto’s research interests include food safety and quality, sensory science, and food processing.