Scientific Council
An independent scientific body composed by 15 scientists, experts and professors from across the globe, to equip WFO with the best scientific advice to enhance further the science-sound perspectives of the farmers’ voice in the international debate around agriculture and food systems.
CALL FOR INTEREST: WFO Scientific Council Seeks Scientists and Experts to advance the Farmer-Driven, Solution-Oriented, Science-Based Approach to Global Agriculture Decision-Making.
FIND OUT MORE: https://bit.ly/WFO_SC_CallForInterest2023
DANIEL BERCKMANS
Daniel Berckmanns
Daniel Berckmans has a master and a PhD in Bioengineering. Headed as full Professor for 25 years the research Division M3-BIORES (Measure, Model and Manage Bio responses), Department of Biosystems at the Catholic University of Leuven (⁰1425, 60.000 students). Part-time connected to the University of Tennessee USA. His research focus is on real-time monitoring of health and wellbeing of individual humans and animals. He co-authored over 300 peer-reviewed publications, over 400 papers, participated in 64 PhD commissions in 9 countries and promoted over 200 Master theses. Since 1982, 19 products were co-developed for the world market with industrial partners. He is co-inventor of 20 patents and coordinated several EU-projects. In a recent project with 20 partners and 20 farmers, 4 new spin-off companies were started in the field of Precision Livestock Farming.Daniel is worldwide considered as the spiritual father of the field of Precision Livestock Farming: real-time monitoring of animals with technology: microphones, camera’s, and sensors. He co-started the European Committee for Precision Livestock Farming that organizes since 2003 the 2-yearly European Conference for Precision Livestock Farming ECPLF. Today the conference is organized in agreement with the “Asian Conference for PLF” (ACPLF) and the “US Conference for PLF” (USCPLF).
He co-initiated the first European Master’s in Human Health Engineering at the KU Leuven: technology for monitoring healthy people. Daniel is co-founder of 3 spin-off companies: BioRICS NV in 2006, BioRICS INC in San Francisco in 2016 and SoundTalks in 2011. KU Leuven was named the seventh most innovative university worldwide in 2020 with 135 spin-off companies started so far. This makes KU Leuven the most innovative university outside of the United States.
JAMES NELSON BLIGNAUT
James Nelson Blignaut
James Blignaut is an ecological and environmental resource economist focusing on the economics of restoration and regenerative agriculture specifically. He is attached to Stellenbosch University, ASSET Research, Integra Trust, and the Restore Africa Fund (http://restory.co.za/). 
MASHID DEHGHAN
Mashid Dehghan
Dr Mahshid Dehghan is an investigator for the Nutrition Epidemiology program at Population Health Research Institute, and the nutrition lead of the PURE study and the INTERSTROKE study. She received her doctoral degree in Clinical Nutrition from Newcastle University, England. She published 61 papers and 2 book chapters.
SANDRO DERNINI
Sandro Dernini
Coordinator, SFS-MED Platform Coordination Desk, (Mediterranean Multistakeholder Sustainable Food Systems Platform), under development by FAO/CIHEAM/UfM (2019-present). Senior Advisor, CIHEAM-Bari, (2018-present). Chair, Forum on Mediterranean Food Cultures, (2002-present). Secretary-General, IFMeD- International Foundation of the Mediterranean Diet (2014-2020). International Consultant, FAO (2010-2017).
PEER EDERER
Peer Ederer
Prof Dr Ederer directs and coordinates the Global Food and Agribusiness Network (GFAN). GFAN provides a platform for senior decision makers in the food and agribusiness industry to define their future strategies and perspectives (more at foodandagribusiness.org).
MARGARET FLAHERTY
Margaret Flaherty
Margaret Flaherty has spent the last 25 years building coalitions of leading companies around sustainable development.
For 20 years she was the Chief Operating Officer/Chief of Staff at the Geneva-based World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). Before that, she was with the International Chamber of Commerce / World Industry Council for the Environment in Paris, France.
She is currently on the faculty of IÉSEG (Paris) and the Business School Lausanne (BSL), teaching at the undergraduate, Master’s and MBA levels, covering courses on business and sustainability including supply chain management, scenario planning, ecosystems valuation and reporting and accountability.
Margaret Flaherty is a member of the Citizenship Advisory Boards of Abbott (USA) and held similar roles with Caterpillar (USA), Areva (France), AccountAbility (UK) and FSG (US & CH).
She has an MSc from Tufts University (Boston), a Juris Doctorate from Northeastern University School of Law (Boston) and she is a UCONN Huskie, from the University of Connecticut. She has also completed Executive Education Programs at both Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard Business School.
VANNI FRAJESE
Vanni Frajese
Prof Giovanni V. Frajese is currently the director of the “SMART Lab” at the “University of Rome Foro Italico” and researches medicine and biotechnologies with interest in the field of Endocrinology, Oncology, Metabolism and Nutrition. He graduated in 1996 in Medicine at the University of Rome “Tor Vergata” and specialized in Endocrinology and Dysmetabolic diseases in 2001. He has authored over 70 papers in international peer-reviewed scientific journals. He is a Member of several societies, including the Endocrine Society (USA), American Diabetes Association (ADA), N.Y. Academy of Sciences, and SIE (Italian Society of Endocrinology).
KATE GUNN
Kate Gunn
Kate Gunn is an Associate Professor at the University of South Australia and has been a passionate researcher and tireless advocate in the field of farmers’ wellbeing for approximately 15 years, fueled by growing up on and staying closely connected to her family’s mixed sheep and grain farming enterprise in South Australia, and her experience working as a Clinical Psychologist.
A/Prof Gunn’s contributions at multiple levels have not only improved scientific understanding of farmers’ drivers of distress (and rural health disparities more generally) but importantly, she has also used her clinical psychology and behavioural science skills to work with farmers to develop and evaluate, interventions to address these.
A/Prof Gunn has also played a significant role in shaping policy, including her invitation to be part of the inaugural South Australian Premiers’ Council for Suicide Prevention. This council successfully formulated and implemented Australia’s first Suicide Prevention Bill. Her translational research’s value has garnered recognition through various awards, such as the South Australian Young Achiever of the Year Award (2013), a Churchill Fellowship (2017), Suicide Prevention Australia’s prestigious National Award for Innovation (2022), and the Kondinin Group/ABC Rural’s National Farmer of the Year Award for Excellence in Agricultural Research (2022).
ROB JACKSON
Rob Jackson
Rob Jackson is an Earth System Science Professor at the Stanford University; a Senior Fellow at Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, and Senior Fellow at the Precourt Institute for Energy.
Dr Jackson and his lab examine the many ways people affect the Earth. They seek basic scientific knowledge and use it to help shape policies and reduce the environmental footprint of global warming, energy extraction, and other issues. They’re currently examining the effects of climate change and droughts on forest mortality and grassland ecosystems. They are also working to measure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the Global Carbon Project (globalcarbonproject.org), which Jackson chairs; examples of new research Rob leads include establishing a global network of methane tower measurements at more than 80 sites worldwide and measuring and reducing methane emissions from oil and gas wells, city streets, and homes and buildings.
FREDERIC LEROY
Frederic Leroy
Frédéric Leroy (1974) graduated as Bioengineer and obtained a PhD in Applied Biological Sciences. He is a professor at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Belgium) and an expert in food technology, nutrition, and interdisciplinary research (‘food studies’), with a focus on animal-source foods.
SUSAN MACMILLAN
Susan MacMillan
Susan MacMillan is an emeritus fellow at the International Livestock Research Institute, where she headed science communications, public awareness and advocacy work for more than 30 years. An American, she has a master’s degree in English from the University of California at Berkeley and has lived and worked in Kenya since 1972.
WARREN MCNABB
Warren McNabb
Warren McNabb is a Professor of Nutritional Sciences at the Riddet Institute. His research interests include nutrition for health, sustainable nutrition, human-microbiome interactions, and physiology and metabolism.
At the Riddet Institute, Prof Warren leads several programmes including the MBIE-funded programme, New Zealand Milks Mean More (NZ3M) and the Sustainable Nutrition Initiative (SNI) which he leads. Warren is also a Principle Investigator in the Riddet Institute CoRE Research programme and an Associate Investigator in the HVN National Science Challenge priority research programmes’, Healthy Digestion and Infant Health. His focus is on food structures-nutrient digestion interactions, clinical investigations of nutrition, microbe-human interactions, gastrointestinal function and sustainable nutrition.
Prof Warren received the New Zealand Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences Fellowship in 2007. Since 2019, he has been recognized as a professional member of the New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology, the American Society of Nutrition, and the Canadian Nutrition Society. Additionally, he has contributed to numerous national and international research advisory and funding panels.
DERRICK MOOT
Derrick Moot
Professor Derick Moot is a Professor of Plant Science at the Department of Agricultural Sciences, Agriculture & Life Sciences Faculty, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand.
Professor Moot’s research focuses on dryland (rainfed) sheep and beef systems. It recognises that water and nutrients, particularly nitrogen are the main limitations to all plant growth worldwide. Therefore, he investigates how to use suitably adapted legumes, with high water use efficiency, to drive nitrogen cycling and underpin animal production.
His work provides agronomic solutions for sustainable pastoral farm systems in New Zealand. He helps create farm systems resilient to climate change, particularly drought and enhances the social and welfare outcomes for rural communities. Professor Moot’s work is recognised nationally through his engagement with policy development through MPI, ECAN and industry bodies.
Professor Moot’s research team is based around 100+ post-graduate students who have aided the creation of plant-based solutions to overcome biotic and abiotic stresses induced by cold and or dry climates, low soil pH and hence high aluminium toxicity. His team develops environmentally, socially and financially sustainable farm systems for hill and high-country farms.
KOPEDI ALFRED NTABANE
Kopedi Alfred Ntabane
Mr Alfred Koped Ntabane is an expert in sustainable agricultural practices and administration. Mr Ntabane is a professional scientist working with the Department of Agriculture Rural Development and Land Reform in South Africa. His expertise lies in sustainable agriculture and socioeconomic progress, with a particular dedication to small-scale farmers. Mr. Ntabane is committed to promoting nature-based solutions that enhance biodiversity and aid in climate adaptation.
Furthermore, he actively engages in professional gatherings such as meetings, conferences, and seminars for scientists. This active involvement enables him to gain insights into the unspoken needs within the agricultural field and generate innovative ideas to bolster emerging approaches or initiatives in the sector.
SIDI OSHO
Sidi Osho
Prof Sidi Osho – Nee Andu is an award-winning, outstanding and hardworking Agriculture and Education Expert that is action and result oriented; highly productive academic, with leadership qualities managing multi-disciplinary projects. With over 37 years’ experience in administration, strategic planning, International and Private Sector Partnerships.With specialization in Agriculture, Food Science, Technology, Food safety and all levels (primary, secondary and higher) education. Prof. Sidi Osho is a successful scientist whose achievements have propelled her into several leadership positions nationally, internationally, and globally. Some of these leadership positions include The Pioneer & Past Vice-Chancellor, Afe Babalola University; Chairperson of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Network for Africa (FANRPAN); President/Founder of Sidi Osho Foundation, Nigeria; Special Adviser (Higher Education) to the Governor of Ogun State, Nigeria; Honourable Commissioner of Education, Science and Technology, Ogun State, Nigeria; Board Member of St Teresa’s College Old Girls Association Alumni – STCOGA; President/Founder of Sidi Osho Foundation, Nigeria; Founder SEEEED Academy; Member Advisory Council The Commonwealth Entrepreneur CLUB, UK; Patron Worldwide International Summit of Leaders; Member of Scientific High-Level Commission, World Farmers’ Organisation; Promoter, of University for Women.
As a Board Chairperson for FANRPAN where she represents women’s seat, she works with women in agriculture, food systems and value chain promoting adequate, safe and nutritious food, and climate-smart agriculture in over 17 countries in Africa.
An International Scientist that graduated from Michigan State and Ohio State University in the USA worked with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Olabisi Onabanjo University, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti State, National Open University of Nigeria and in several African countries in the area of Agriculture and Rural Development.
GENEVIÈVE PARENT
Geneviève Parent
Geneviève Parent is a full-time professor at the Law Faculty of Laval University and head of the Legal Research Chair in Food Diversity and Security. Her areas of interest are food security and national and inter-national agrifood law. Ms Parent is also a part-time member of the Canada Agricultural Review Tribunal and an associate member of the French Academy of Agriculture.
ANGELO RICCABONI
Angelo Riccaboni
Angelo Riccaboni is Full Professor of Management Control Systems at the Richard Goodwin School of Economics and Management of the University of Siena. He was Rector of the University of Siena from 2010 to 2016. He is a member of the Leadership Council of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Solutions Network and Chair of the Regional Centre of the SDSN for the Mediterranean since 2012. Since 2017 he chairs PRIMA Foundation, located in Barcelona to implement a 10-year research and innovation programme on food systems and water resources, with a budget of 500 million euros funded by the European Commission and 19 Euro-Mediterranean Countries. His research focuses on the role of businesses and universities to promote the implementation of the United Nations’ Agenda 2030 and on innovation in the agrifood sector. He chairs the Steering Committee of the Santa Chiara Lab at the University of Siena. He is Member of the Scientific Committee of the World Farmers Organisation, Member of the International Academic Committee of the Institute for Sustainable Development Goals of Tsinghua University, Member of the Board of Directors of the University Bicocca in Milan. He is a Member of the EC sub-group on Mission Area Soil Health and Food of the ‘shadow’ strategic configuration of the Horizon Europe Programme Committee.Previously he was Chair of the CRUI Foundation, the operating body of CRUI (the Association of Italian Rectors), Member of the Board of the International Association of Universities (IAU), Head of the IAU Working Group on sustainability. He was Dean of the Richard Goodwin Faculty of Economics and Management, Chair of the Association of Deans of Italian Faculties of Economics, Management and Statistics and President of SIDREA (Italian Society of Accounting and Business Administration Scholars).
DAWIE ROODT
Dawie Roodt
Dawie Roodt is a founder, Director and Chief Economist of the Efficient Group. He serves on a variety of investment committees within the Efficient Group. Dawie’s latest role is that of Chairmen of Efficient Private Clients, of which Efficient Group is the majority shareholder.Dawie is a nationally renowned economist, with over 30 years’ experience. He specialises in monetary-, fiscal policy and is currently doing extensive research on the possible impact of “crypto” currencies on monetary policy. He is closely involved with the management of client asset portfolios. His interest in international and local politics has grown, and he has become knowledgeable in the field of politics as well. Dawie is ranked the most referenced economists in the country and received the prestigious Economist of the year award by Sake 24, a media house. He has been the anchor presenter of the television program Ontbytsake for the past 17 years.
JACQUELINE ROWARTH
Jacqueline Rowarth
Professor Jacqueline Rowarth CNZM, FNZIAHS has a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science with honours in Environmental Agriculture and a PhD in Soil Science from Massey University. She has worked in research, education and management with Agresearch, Lincoln University, Unitec in Auckland, The University of Melbourne, Massey University, the University of Waikato, and the Environmental Protection Authority.
In addition, Prof Rowarth has held Government-appointed governance roles on the boards of Crop and Food Research, AGMARDT and New Zealand Fast Forward. She is currently a farmer-elected member of the Board of Directors for DairyNZ and of Ravensdown Co-operative Ltd., a producer-appointed Director for Deer Industry NZ, and a Director of NZ Animal Evaluation Ltd. She also holds the role of Adjunct Professor at Lincoln University.
Prof Rowarth is also a Past President of the New Zealand Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Science and of the New Zealand Grassland Association. In 2008 she was awarded Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Agricultural Science, in 2009 she was given the inaugural award of Agricultural Personality of the Year by Federated Farmers and in 2010 she was selected as the Agricultural Communicator of the Year by the Guild of Agricultural Communicators and Journalists. She is a frequent contributor to public debate in the media and remains committed to dispelling the myths that surround food production.
BRUNO RONCHI
Bruno Ronchi
Bruno Ronchi is full professor of Animal Nutrition and Feeding at the Department of Agriculture and Forestry Science of Tuscia University (Italy). His research activities mainly focus on: effects of heat stress on ruminants; farm animal metabolism; effects of environmental contaminants; management of extensive livestock production systems. In his career: dean of the Faculty of Agriculture Science; President of Italian “Animal Science and Production Association”; Council member of the European Federation of Animal Science.
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