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Sunday / December 22. 2024
HomePosts Tagged "World BioProtection Research Foundation"

Experts will provide strategic guidance on research programs and initiatives, shaping research agendas to secure funding and ensure alignment with stakeholder needs.

The World BioProtection Research Foundation is proud to announce the selection of seven distinguished professionals from around the world to join its inaugural Program Advisory Council of Experts (PACE). The selection follows a rigorous international search, attracting exceptional talents in the fields of bioprotection, soil and marine microbiology, and related disciplines.

The newly appointed members of the PACE will play a pivotal role in driving the Foundation’s mission forward. They will provide strategic guidance on research programs and initiatives, shaping research agendas to secure funding and ensure alignment with stakeholder needs. These experts will offer valuable advice and guidance to research teams, as well as participate in research project preparation. Furthermore, they will review and assess research proposals and ongoing projects, providing constructive feedback to ensure the highest quality outcomes. The council members will actively identify collaboration opportunities with academic institutions and industry players, leveraging their networks and expertise to foster meaningful partnerships.

The PACE will consist of up to 12 members, each selected for their diverse expertise in bioprotection research, academia, industry, and project development. Seven world class experts have joined the PACE, with the goal of providing leadership in setting the research agenda, evaluating progress, and making informed decisions to advance the foundation’s objectives:

Dr Zhibing Zhang PhD, Professor and Co-Director of the China Institute, University of Birmingham School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom

Dr K Annapurna PhD, Former Head, Division of Microbiology, Indian Agriculture Research Institute, New Delhi, India.

Dr Dean Metcalfe PhD, Managing Director and Plant Pathologist, Metcalf BioControl, Molesworth, Tasmania, Australia.

Dr Aram Mikaelyan PhD, Assistant Professor of Entomology, Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA

Dr Kiran P. Raverkar PhD, Dean, Post Graduate Studies, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture &Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India

Dr Rajan Sharma PhD, Principal Scientist and Cluster Leader – Crop Protection & Seed Health, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, Telangana, India

Dr D R W Kandula PhD, Research Fellow, Faculty of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Lincoln University, Lincoln, New Zealand

Professor Shashi Sharma, Founder Chairman of the World Bioprotection Research Foundation said, “Our vision is to harness the power of microbes and global research expertise to revolutionise pest and disease management, safeguard soil and plant health, and promote planetary well-being. The formation of the Program Advisory Council of Experts is a significant step towards realising this vision”.

Experts will provide strategic guidance on research

The founding members of Visionary Steering Council (VSC) will provide strategic guidance, oversight and direction in BioAg.

At the forefront of agricultural transformation lies Biological Agriculture (BioAg), encompassing biocontrol, biostimulants, and biofertilisers. This dynamic field promises sustainable solutions for pest management, disease control, and elevated plant vitality on a global scale. However, bridging the gap between pioneering research and practical farming solutions has proven frustratingly sluggish.

The catalyst for change arises from the diverse landscape of innovators, entrepreneurs, and corporations, each engrossed in their unique pursuits. The time has come to reimagine our approach. A fresh business model must unite these stakeholders, weaving their efforts together to drive the creation and adoption of innovative bioprotection solutions – pivotal for tackling our world’s urgent agricultural and ecological challenges, said Professor Shashi Sharma, Chairman of the World BioProtection Research Foundation.

This was the rationale for the creation of the Research Foundation, a dynamic not-for-profit institution that is dedicated to promoting research and innovation in BioAg. By harnessing the power of nature and leveraging global research expertise, the Foundation aims to revolutionise and work towards finding unique microbial strains which can be used for crop protection and plant health management. Our mission is to pioneer distinctive microbial strains for crop protection and plant health. The Research Foundation will spearhead research, foster collaboration, share knowledge, and create a hub for diverse stakeholders.

Since the Research Foundation was launched in May 2023, Professor Sharma has been recruiting high-calibre individuals to populate its governing councils. The Research Foundation is guided by two governing bodies: the Visionary Steering Council (VSC) and the Program Advisory Council of Experts (PACE). Further information about Governance of the Foundation can be found here.

Seven world class experts have joined the VSC, with the goal of providing leadership in setting the research agenda, evaluating progress, and making informed decisions to advance the foundation’s objectives:

Dr Keith Davies PhD, Director, KG Davies Limited, Associate Professor and Visiting Research Professor, United Kingdom.

Mr Marco Brini MBA, Digital Agriculture Expert and Independent C-Level Consultant, Switzerland.

Prof Patricia Stock PhD, Emerita Director and Professor, School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA.

Dr Minshad Ansari PhD, Founder and CEO at Bionema; Founder and Chairman of The World BioProtection Forum (WBF), United Kingdom.

Dr D. Joseph Bagyaraj PhD, Chairman, Centre for Natural Biological Resources & Community Development (CNBRCD), Anand Nagar, Bangalore, India.

Dr Suhas Wani PhD, Former Research Program Director – Asia and Director, ICRISAT Development Centre (IDC) at International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), India.

Prof Abu Noman Faruq Ahmmed PhD, Chairman at the Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Bangladesh.

The VSC will ultimately comprise 10 experts from across the world. Highly experienced individuals with foresight, long-term vision, and wisdom, who are interested in filling the final spaces on the esteemed VSC can express their interest here. This voluntary role provides an outstanding opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of the Research Foundation, leaving an indelible mark on the global stage.

The Foundation offers numerous other opportunities to actively contribute to ground-breaking research. It provides a platform to collaborate with esteemed experts and shape the future of our world.  The Research Foundation stands as a driving force behind the advancement of novel scientific discoveries.

The founding members of Visionary Steering Council