Session Sponsor:
agInnovation
Title:
A 10-Year Agricultural Research Roadmap For America’s Security And Future
Description:
This session will provide an overview of agInnovation’s transformative Research Roadmap initiative, developed by the nationwide system of agricultural research and state agricultural experiment stations at our nation’s land-grant universities.
The initiative is focused on developing a decadal plan that outlines clear goals and ambitious research outcomes to address some of our most pressing challenges. These challenges include combating climate change, improving water resilience, and ensuring sustainable food systems. Grounded in the principles of national security and aimed at cultivating the next generation of experts, the roadmap sets forth bold and measurable outcome goals. These goals are designed to be achievable through strategic investment and are crucial for the long-term sustainability of our agricultural systems. During the session, George Smith, Chair of agInnovation, will present agInnovation’s Research Roadmap and engage with the audience to gather input from stakeholders. Additional speakers include Dr. Max Teplitski (International Fresh Produce Association Chief Science Officer), Dr. Jeanette Thurston (agInnovation Vice-Executive Chair of agInnovation), and Laura Wood (NCFAR Executive Director).
Speakers:
Dr. George Smith, agInnovation Chair & Director of AgBioResearch at Michigan State University
Dr. George W. Smith is the Chair of agInnovation, a national organization of Land-grant University agricultural research and experiment station directors, and serves as the Director of AgBioResearch, Senior Associate Dean for Research at the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Professor of Animal Science at Michigan State University (MSU).
As Chair of agInnovation, Dr. Smith provides strategic leadership and oversight for the nationwide organization of agricultural research directors. Over the past year, he has focused on enhancing partnerships with federal funding agencies and nonprofit organizations, while spearheading the vision and development of the agInnovation Research Roadmap, which is the central focus of this NCFAR Lunch-N-Learn. At MSU, he oversees AgBioResearch, supporting about 300 scientists across seven colleges, 15 research centers, and numerous facilities, all dedicated to advancing food systems and environmental research.
Dr. Jeanette Thurston, agInnovation Vice-Executive Chair & Executive Director of the North Central Regional Association of State Agricultural Experiment Station Directors
Dr. Jeanette Thurston is the Vice-Executive Chair of agInnovation, a national organization representing Land-grant University agricultural research and experiment station directors, and she also serves as the Executive Director of the North Central Regional Association of State Agricultural Experiment Station Directors. Before assuming her current roles, Dr. Thurston was the Director of the Food Science Institute and Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs and Faculty Development at Kansas State University. She also spent over 18 years with the USDA, holding leadership positions at USDA-ARS and USDA-NIFA.
Dr. Max Teplitski, Chief Science Officer at the International Fresh Produce Association
Dr. Max Teplitski is a Chief Science Officer at the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), where he is responsible for global advocacy and programs in science, ag. technology, supply chain and sustainability. Prior to joining IFPA, Dr. Teplitski was Division Director (Acting) and National Program Leader at the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, where he oversaw federal research investment portfolios in produce safety, microbiology and nutrition. An author of over 100 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Teplitski was a Professor at the University of Florida, where his research and education program focused on comparative and functional genomics of human pathogens to understand their adaptations to survival in non-host environments. Dr. Teplitski served as a Fulbright Specialist in Agriculture (Escuela Politecnica del Litoral), U.S. Embassy Science Fellow, Biotech Outreach Speaker (U.S. Department of State), and G.E. Burch Fellow in Theoretical Medicine (Smithsonian Institution). He is a recipient of J.E. Feeley Award in Recognition of Significant Contributions in Environmental Microbiology, UF-HHMI Science For Life Distinguished Mentor Award, Animal Conservation Award (Lindberg Foundation), and W.E. Krauss Director’s Award for Excellence in Research (Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center). He is also a Courtesy Faculty at the UF Plant Pathology Department. Dr. Teplitski served on (and chaired) UN, federal advisory and industry panels.
Lyndsey Dowell, Spatial Data Science Lead at The Nature Conservancy
Lyndsey Dowell is the Spatial Data Science Lead for the Corporate Engagement team at The Nature Conservancy, focusing on food and water. Lyndsey provides technical science and strategic leadership to global and local spatial planning and prioritization projects to deliver benefits in major agricultural landscapes. Prior to joining TNC, Lyndsey worked at the World Resources Institute where she helped develop the Global Forest Watch Pro tool, a key resource in supply chain risk mapping. She holds a MS in Integrated Studies in Land and Food Systems from the University of British Columbia and a BA in Environmental Sciences from the University of Virginia. Her graduate research entailed opportunity evaluation and mapping in agricultural landscapes.
Laura Wood, NCFAR Executive Director
To strengthen opportunities in rural America, Laura draws on over fifteen years of experience in natural resource policy nationwide and trusted partnerships advancing public policy and production agriculture hand in hand. She specializes in strategic project management, legislative and regulatory advocacy, and education and outreach on Capitol Hill and through grassroots engagement, bridging rural and urban networks and finding common ground to benefit multiple constituencies. Her industry experience spans leadership roles in a multinational corporation, ag tech startup, and NGO. Laura attended Kansas State University and George Washington University Law School, where she also served as adjunct faculty in the GWU Department of Political Science.
About NCFAR’s Lunch-N-Learn Series:
The National Coalition for Food and Agricultural Research (NCFAR) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, consensus-based, and customer-led coalition that brings together food, agriculture, nutrition, conservation, and natural resource stakeholders to serve as a forum and unified voice supporting increased federal investment in USDA Research, Education, and Economics (USDA REE). NCFAR’s popular "Lunch-N-Learn" series and webinars feature experts from institutions across the country sharing expertise on a wide range of topics to show the value of public investment in food and agricultural research. This event will be held in-person at 1302 Longworth House Office Building.