2017 Food + Ag Entrepreneurship Academy PARTICIPANT...

2017 Food + Ag Entrepreneurship Academy

PARTICIPANT BIOGRAPHIES

February 6-8, 2016 • University of California, Davis • UC Davis Conference Center

2017 Food + Ag Entrepreneurship Academy PARTICIPANT BIOGRAPHIES

PARTICIPANTS UC Davis Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship entrepreneurship.ucdavis.edu

Anuoluwa Adeboje, UC Davis Graduate School of Management Anu Adeboje can be best described as a scientist turned food hacktivist. She earned her B.S. in Neuroscience from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and is currently pursuing an MBA at the University of California at Davis. When it comes to food, Anu has worked from the farm to the food truck and she relentlessly aspires to improve our food systems through community empowerment and entrepreneurship.

Emmanuel Ahenkorah, University of South Africa Emmanuel Ahenkorah, a 27-year-old Ghanaian, is a graduate student from University of South Africa and a Borlaug Leadership Enhancement in Agriculture Program (LEAP) Fellow at UC Davis. He is currently studying pollutants and developing remediation models for contaminated soil and water bodies. His research interest focuses on agricultural lands/water pollution and its remediation. He is a chemistry major graduate from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana. Emmanuel has previous experience working as a laboratory Assistant in Ghana and as agriculture and physical sciences tutor in South Africa. A career in agriculture-environmental interactions is something Emmanuel has always had in mind, and have initiated steps in building an enterprise focusing on agriculture in Sub-Sahara Africa.

Khush Bakht Aalia, UC Davis Global Affairs Ms. Aalia holds a Master’s degree in Economics and has more than seven-years experience in the field of capacity building and community development in Pakistan. She has been engaged in various development and capacity building projects for rural communities in the fields of agriculture, vocational skills, micro enterprise development and management, entrepreneurship development, and gender empowerment. She has extensive experience in project planning, management, poverty alleviation, participatory development, and monitoring and evaluation with special attention to intersectional aspects of gender issues. While working in Pakistan, she has been directly involved in rural development projects funded by bi-lateral and multi-lateral organizations and local NGO’s including the UN system and Rural Support programs.

For her yearlong fellowship at the University of California, Davis, her major area of interest is to develop strategies for the inclusion and capacity building of rural women in agri-based enterprise development.



Aftab Ahmad, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan Dr. Aftab Ahmad is a visiting researcher in Department of Plant Sciences, UC Davis from US-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. He obtained his PhD and Postdoc from University of Shizuoka, Japan. During his PhD and Postdoc he focused on improvement of agricultural crops for salt and drought stress using Arabidopsis as a model system. Presently he is working on precise genome editing technologies especially CRISPR/Cas to improve cotton against biotic and abiotic stresses. He is working in collaboration with UC Davis and Penn State University to use CRISPR/Cas to address challenge of crop improvement and food security in Pakistan. His prime focus is to engineer virus resistance in cotton and also gossypol reduction in cottonseeds though CRISPR/Cas system.

Ademola Aina, University of Ibadan, Nigeria Ademola Aina doubles as a Graduate Research Scholar at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria and a PhD candidate in the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. He is also a visiting research scholar under the prestigious Norman E. Borlaug Leadership Enhancement Program in Agriculture (LEAP Fellow) at the University of California, Davis. Ademola has worked as a research technician at IITA, Nigeria, under the Yam and Cocoa breeding program with major in plant and molecular genetics for crop improvement. Currently, he is working on a neglected and underutilized orphan crop named African yam bean, indigenous to tropical Africa. He is working with Dr. Daniel Potter and the Genome Center at UC Davis on the sequencing of these lost Africa crops which possess numerous potentials as a food and nutrition security crop.

Matthew Amicucci, UC Davis Chemistry Department After high school, Matthew Amicucci attended the American River College culinary program where he received an Associates of Arts degree in Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management. During this time he had the opportunity to work as a chef at a variety of restaurants, both locally and internationally. Realizing that the prospects in the restaurant industry were not what he was after, he enrolled at UC Davis where he received his Bachelors of Science degree in Food Science and Technology with a focus in food chemistry. Currently, Matt is a PhD candidate in the Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry Graduate Group at UC Davis. In his PhD study, his work focuses on using analytical chemistry to solve problems that arise in food, health, and agriculture. In the future, Matt would like to start a company where he can contribute to providing innovative solutions to ensure global food security.



Sabim Aslam, UC Davis Plant Science Department Sabin Aslam is a third year Biotechnology PhD student at University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Her research project aims at stacking multiple genes site specifically by the use of recombinases in Nicotiana banthamiana and cotton genome. She has done her BSc. (Hons.) in Agriculture Sciences and MSc. (Hons.) in Plant Breeding and Genetics from University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. She had been quite an intellectual student of her time with 3.95 cumulative grade point average (CGPA) out of 4.00. Sabin had been working for her research work dedicatedly and had been aiming to reduce research based knowledge action gap between innovators and the farmers’ community, educating them about updated research regarding their profession. In her leisure time, Sabin enjoys networking through social media, innovative cooking, cycling and traveling to explore new places.

Chiara Cecchini, UNIMORE Chiara Cecchini is a young entrepreneur in tech-wellness industry. Founder of Feat, a digital service that motivate users to have healthier lifestyle and food experiences, she is passionate about food innovation. She is M.Sc. in International Management at ICN Business School France and MGIMO Moscow. She is working on food experience assessment, engagement design and behavioral economics. She is fellow of Future Food Institute and ambassador of BCFN Foundation. She believes in social entrepreneurship as innovation driver.

Lisa Chambers, Arcadia Biosciences Lisa Chambers is a Research Associate at Arcadia Biosciences with more than 10 years of clinical and research experience. As part of the Analytical Science and Regulatory Support group at Arcadia, Lisa has developed and standardized wheat quality and seed profile analyses, coordinated high-throughput analyses across functional groups and produced protein for characterization in support of deregulation. She holds a B.A. in Biological Sciences with an emphasis in Biochemistry from the University of California, Davis.



Shiang-Wan Chin, UC Davis Managerial Economics Shiang is a wide-eyed dreamer with aspirations of making a positive impact in society. He is deeply committed to giving back to his communities, with involvements as a part of the Chancellor’s Undergraduate Advisory Board and the Yolo County Restorative Justice Program. Further, from his studies in Managerial Economics and Communication, he hopes to develop economic programs aimed at providing basic financial knowledge to underserved Taiwanese and Burmese communities. Growing up as a boy scout and with recent backpacking excursions to Lake Tahoe and Alaska, the great outdoors is his second home. Through founding Kappa Alpha Pi and his current venture of a startup food truck, he actively seeks challenges in the realm of creation and intellectually stimulating work.

Connor Clancy, CSU Chico Connor Clancy is an entrepreneur studying business and entrepreneurship at California State University Chico. Originally from Santa Barbara, Mr. Clancy has been living in Chico California for the past three years pursuing a college degree. He and his team of fellow student entrepreneurs are currently in the process of building a company dedicated to ending the dreaded hangover. They are in the process of designing their first product, a drink that promotes healthy liver function, and prevents hangovers.

Emily Clay, HM. CLAUSE Emily is originally from Bakersfield, CA. She holds a B.S. in Agricultural Business and Animal Science from California State University, Chico. After graduating college she began her career in the Processing Tomato Industry at The Morning Star Packing Company in Sales and Marketing and eventually in Agricultural Business Development as a Field Representative. In June, 2016 she joined Harris Moran Seed Company / HM.Clause, Inc. as the Processing Tomato Business Manager. She resides in Esparto, CA with her husband Nick, Border Collie Maera and Corgi Hitch. When she’s not in the Tomato Fields, she enjoys landscape photography and fly fishing.



Nikki Eman, UC Davis College of Ag & Environmental Sciences

Nikki Emam is a graduating fourth year Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning student at the University of California, Davis. She is currently working as an intern at the Energy Efficiency Center, and is the student lead for the Emerging Energy Professionals Program. She has completed policy briefs on California legislation pushing for increased building energy efficiency and benchmarking requirements, and assisted the first ever Energy Fellows Program for the 2016 Mandela Washington Fellowship, a part of the Obama Administration’s Young African Leaders Initiative. As an undergraduate research assistant, she analyzed the feasibility of several energy storage options for the 16 Mega Watt solar plant at UC Davis. Her current research is regarding the impact that benchmarking will have on the energy market, specifically in predicting yearly markets and improving energy efficiency of buildings in California.

David Foster, UC Davis Computer Science Department David Foster is a third year computer science student at the University of California, Davis. Born and raised in Southern California, David served in the United States Navy and has associate degrees in mathematics and humanities. He founded and presided over the first computer science club at Mt San Jacinto College, won first place in an annual programming competition held by CalState L.A., and is the recipient of several scholarships, including the 2016 Alumni Leadership Scholarship from the UC Davis Cal Aggie Alumni Association. David hopes to found a successful company while at Davis and work at Google after he earns his bachelor’s degree.

James Goodyear, California State University, Chico

James Goodyear is currently completing his Bachelor Degree at California State University Chico, majoring in Business Administration with an emphasis in Small Business Entrepreneurship. Mr. Goodyear was born and raised in San Diego, California where he earned his Associates Degree in Business Administration at San Diego City Community College. While taking night classes at his community college, he was working as an Aircraft Operations Specialist at United Technologies Aerospace Systems under the research and development program for the Bombardier C Series.

After transferring to CSU Chico in the Fall of 2016 he entered in the entrepreneurship program where he joined the Prime Team that is currently developing a supplement drink to destroy hangovers and promote healthy liver functions. Taking a business idea and bringing it into the real world has always been his passion and he welcomes any opportunity to assist others along this same journey.



Amelie Heller, California State University, Chico Amelie Heller is an aspiring entrepreneur who was born and raised in Frankfurt, Germany. In 2014, Ms. Heller started her studies in International Business at the HFU Business School in Southern Germany, where she became Vice-president of the student organization Business Talks. She was also elected to the faculty council, the university senate, and as a representative of the International Business Class of 2018. As well as focusing on her studies, Ms. Heller worked part-time as brand ambassador for Mercedes-Benz. As part of her curriculum, Amelie Heller is studying abroad at California State University Chico, where she is involved in the entrepreneurship program. Currently Ms. Heller is a founding member of Project Hangover which is developing a drink that prevents hangovers and promotes healthy liver functions.

Lauren Kearney, Arcadia Biosciences

Lauren Kearney has been a Research Associate at Arcadia Biosciences in Davis, CA since 2012. As part of the R&D team at Arcadia, Lauren has worked on abiotic stress tolerance and yield increase projects in a variety of crops. Her involvement includes project coordination, molecular biology, and research. Lauren received her B.S. in Biological Sciences from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 2009.

Victoria Lemus, Ag Based Upstart University Doctoral candidate in Co-Founder and alternative energy entrepreneur, Victoria Lemus brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to a Fresno based start-up energy company focused on the development and commercialization of alternative energy solutions. Victoria has a professional background in Energy Development, Real Estate, Law and Workforce Development.

Victoria devotes a strong passion towards the development of clean energy projects that support industry demands in agriculture, transportation and sustainable food production. Since early 2006, she has worked with Kajavic Industries, Inc. to develop and patent a uniquely designed power delivery generator that is 100% eco-friendly and can produce power supply up to 240V with zero carbon emission which distinguishes differential translation initiation mediated by the 5’ untranslated region of messenger RNA.



Arsalan Lodhi Arsalan Lodhi is an entrepreneur and research investigator who left the corporate career after 15 years working for IBM, Accenture and EY. He attended MIT, NYU and Cal State Long Beach. Author of two books and have earned few patents. Currently, he is the founder and CEO of a startup WISRAN that improves profits for growers by measuring live the logistics of farming operations.

Arsalan considers signing up four pilot customers and $30,000 in pre-order sales a key customer validation. Through 100 customer interviews and by living on the farm for months, Arsalan researched and identified 10-30% profit improvements across 10,000 acres and 90 fields. He is selected finalist for Rabobank-MIT Food and Ag innovation prize and has won $50K through WI Governor award for the BREW program.

In past, he has launched and managed new IT services at IBM. Managed $10M revenue and generated $15M in sales.

Samuel Lopane, Clemson University Sam Lopane is a student and entrepreneur from the Carolinas. He is finishing up his B.S. in Food Science at Clemson University, and will start his M.S. in Food, Nutrition, and Culinary Sciences in May 2017 at the same university. Sam is also the owner and founder of Mount Gilead Granola (mtgileadgranola.com) an artisan granola company, based in Clemson, SC, that he started to provide with Carolinas with a source of fresh and delicious granola. In all that he does, Sam attempts to find a balance between precision and creativity –combining his passions for both science and the arts.

Jeff Macon, UC Merced Jeff Macon is a program manager at Fresno State. Jeff works with the BlueTechValley program, sponsored by the California Energy Commission, where he works with partners to help bring water, energy, and ag tech ventures to market. Jeff also works with the Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship where he provides technical assistance to ventures pitching for capital at the annual Central Valley Venture Forum.

Jeff lives in Fresno, CA. In addition to living in California’s Central Valley, he has also lived in Arizona, various parts of the Bay Area, and Taiwan. Jeff appreciates solving problems, watching popular American sports, eating spicy foods, and drinking pale ales.

http://mtgileadgranola.com/



Maria Maldonado-Gomez, UC Davis Food Science and Technology

Dr. Maldonado-Gomez obtained a bachelor degree in Agroindustrial Production Engineering in the Universidad de la Sabana in Colombia. After completing a research internship in the dairy industry, she obtained her masters and a doctoral degree in Food Science at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Currently, Dr. Maldonado-Gomez is working as a postdoctoral researcher in Dr. David Mills’ Laboratory at the University of California, Davis. As part of Dr. Mill's team, she is interested in understanding the relationships between health, diet and gut microbial communities. Outcomes of their research include translatable biotherapies and diagnostics tools that maintain and promote gut health and prevent microbial imbalances associated with disease. Dr. Maldonado-Gomez has over 7 years of experience in the field of gastrointestinal microbiology and has developed expertise in both molecular biology and bioinformatics techniques. As part of different multidisciplinary teams, Dr. Maldonado-Gomez has published over 10 publications, including a first author paper in Cell Host and Microbe.

Shawn McMahon Shawn is a recent Bachelor’s of Science graduate of Bowling Green State University in Northwest Ohio with a focus in Quality Engineering. He is a former sergeant of Marines from 2003-2011 where he was humbled by his travels and realized incredible global problems with food and sustainability. Shawn would like to focus his future on creating sustainable, vertical farms in urban areas while maximizing space, decreasing use of water, and controlling the environments we grow our food in for the highest quality and value to communities.

Christina Ramsay McPherson Christina Ramsay McPherson is a graduate of the UC Davis Food Science Program and Culinary Institute of America, Accelerated Culinary Arts Program. She is passionate about food product development and has experience working at Mattson, Sweet Earth Natural Foods, and Ghirardelli Chocolate Company.

Christina is an avid home cook. Her goal is to develop products that she would be proud to serve her family and friends at her kitchen table. She is interested in innovation that bridges the food science community with consumers to align goals and increase awareness about complicated issues affecting our food supply. She is also interested in new product development that enables busy consumers to eat healthfully.



Catie McVey, Colorado State University Catie McVey is a 2016 graduate of North Carolina State University with a double major in animal science and statistics. She is currently pursuing a master’s in dairy systems at Colorado State University. As an undergraduate, she completed research internships in swine aggression with Scotland's Rural College, sow maternal behaviors with Rivalea Australia, CAD design and rapid prototyping with Vetovation Inc, and data analytics with Duke's Center for Quantitative Modeling.

She passionately believes that animal wellbeing is not a zero-sum game, and that we can improve an animal’s welfare and performance concurrently by using big data to better identify and respond to their individual needs. She has patented algorithms that combine image analysis tools with statistical inference techniques that instantly and noninvasively estimate dimensions of an animal’s innate temperament from facial biometrics. She is currently exploring commercial applications of this technology in genetic selection programs for dairy health and longevity traits.

Ardalan Moazeni, UC Davis School of Engineering Ardalan is a person passionate about working with his hands, turning ideas into prototypes followed by continuous refinement. He concentrated on Software and Control System design during his training as a Mechanical Engineering by UC Davis and Berkeley. Ardalan has experience working on several Robotics projects, with focus on UC Berkeley’s Self-driving Car during his Master’s degree.

Ardalan has now founded Nova Robotics, a non-profit technology company with the mission to “Stop Climate Change And Sustainably Enhance Human Well-Being Through Technology.” Nova Robotics aims to contribute all developments to the global Open Source community, achieving goals through collaboration and support. Nova Robotics will also empower other Earth-friendly organizations to succeed through Pro Bono Consulting services.

James Mushi, UC Davis Animal Science James Mushi, is a holder of Masters of Science in Molecular biology of 2011 offered in collaboration by three Universities of Belgium namely; Katholieke Universitiet Leuven of Leuven, University of Antwerp and Vrij Universiteit Brussels (VUB). He is also a holder of Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVM) degree obtained at the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in Tanzania in 2007. He is now doing his PhD at SUA focusing on improving productivity in local chicken farming in Tanzania through selective breeding among Tanzanian free range local chickens (FRLC) for resistance to Newcastle



disease. His aim is to improve national food security, health and wealth and to improve family income through the local chickens industry.

James worked as a Veterinarian in his immediate community, treating animals and providing consultations to improve animal welfare and productivity. He speaks fluent Chagga, Swahili and English languages. For this academy, James will focus on FRLC production and distribution model that will benefit both parties in the production system thus making it a perpetuate business in Tanzania.

Cuong Nguyen, UC Davis Food Science and Techonology Cuong Nguyen is a first year Ph.D. student in the Food Science and Technology Department, UC Davis. His passion for helping people in all aspects of food processing and food safety has brought him to UC Davis to study food science. Aiming to become an expert in the food industry as a consultant and as a food safety trainer, he has currently joined Professor Nitin’s lab in the search for emerging technology that will help businesses extend their products’ shelf life and lower the running cost while still maintaining food quality. A researcher by day and soccer player by night, Cuong is training with a team to compete in the IFTSA College Bowl, an intercollegiate competition in the area of food science and technology.

Seraphin Niyonsenga, UC Davis School of Agriculture and Environmental Science

Dr. Seraphin Niyonsenga, a Hubert Humphrey Fellow at UC Davis, serves as Agricultural Policy Analyst for the Government of Rwanda. Seraphin has an extensive experience in agricultural policy and livestock business management.

Seraphin has a veterinary degree from Cheikh Anta Diop University in Senegal and a Master of Veterinary Science in livestock production from the National Dairy Research Institute, India. His major achievements include spearheading the transformation of the Rwandan Dairy Industry through the modernization of Milk Collection Centres into Dairy Business Hubs.

His main focus during the fellowship year will be on agricultural policies in the US, and developing partnerships in agribusiness and food processing projects. Upon returning to Rwanda, he wants to backstop the efforts in poverty reduction through agricultural transformation and initiating start-ups for youth and rural women in agribusiness and food processing sectors.



Gulustan Ozturk, UC Davis Food Science and Technology Gulustan Ozturk is a postdoctoral researcher in Food Science and Technology Department at UC Davis. After completing her BSc in Food Engineering Department at Ankara University in Turkey, she received a scholarship from the Turkish government to pursue her Ph.D. degree in U.S. She completed her Ph.D. in Food Science with a Designated Emphasis in Biotechnology (DEB) at UC Davis. In her Ph.D., she worked on food borne pathogen Yersinia Enterocolitica, and completed her internship in Technology Transfer at InnovationAcess at UC Davis.

Ozturk’s research has focused on optimizing the processing conditions to maximize the antimicrobial activity of naturally occurring compounds in dairy products. Beyond her research, she is especially enthusiastic about teaching, and has taken opportunities to TA many food microbiology and food processing classes and learn about innovative teaching methods. Outside of conducting research, she enjoys performing, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.

George Roche George Roche, Revital Biome. George is the founder of Revital Biome, a human gut microbiome nutritional food company. His background is at the intersection of food, biotech, and entrepreneurship. Prior to starting Revital, George worked with Impossible Foods, the Culinary Institute of America's Food Business School, and Deloitte Consulting. He is the founder of the SF Bay Area Microbiome Meetup and contributor to Nature Partner Journals. He holds an MBA from UC Berkeley Haas, and a BS in Biology from Georgetown University where he was a Baker Scholar.



Michelle Rodriguez, UC Davis Public Health Michelle is a current Master’s student in the public health program at UC Davis, she graduated with her bachelors in health science and has developed a strong desire and drive to serve others through her community work/international travels.

Michelle's interests in non-profit work developed when she traveled to Rwanda. Michelle was immersed into a severely underserved area but through this experience Michelle became deeply passionate in helping others and is now inspired/determined to start her own non-profit organization to support communities in receiving the knowledge and resources to live a healthy lifestyle, with a focus on providing clean water to underserved communities. Michelle’s mission is to find happiness, fulfillment, and the value in living, while also discovering her journey. She hopes to find peace within herself while using her heart as a guide to follow her dreams. Most importantly, Michelle strives to serve others and to enjoy life by finding laughter, love, and happiness in each and every day.

Alpha Sennon, University of the West Indies Mr. Alpha Sennon is a farmerpreneur, student and advocate who exhibits excellent persistence and passion for the youth development in the agricultural sector. He is a graduate of the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus with first class honours Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness and with double minors in Communication and Extension, and Entrepreneurship. Former President and executive member of the University of the West Indies Agribusiness Society. Currently, serves as an ambassador for the Thought for Food Global Foundation and a specialist business mentor for agriculture with the Caribbean Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Livelihoods.

His focus lies in the re-branding and marketing of farming within the Caribbean region while pursuing a Master of Philosophy in Agricultural Extension at his alma mater. Mr Sennon is the founder of a non-profit called WHYFARM which aims to promote the agriculture industry as a viable career option for our young population, by increasing their awareness of the world’s food problems and by doing so, grow the future feeders of 2050.

He is the recipient of an Agriculture Youth Award from Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Gender Youth and Child Development and an Honoree Award for the inaugural 30 under 30 Caribbean American Emerging Leaders & Changemakers by the Institute of Caribbean Studies.



Timothy Sharkey, Oroville Area Chamber of Commerce Timothy Sharkey is now the Program Development Manager at Oroville area Chamber of Commerce / Oroville Economic Alliance. His role is to serve as senior staff advisor to the President & CEO regarding revenue development, marketing, strategy, and team management to ensure the Chamber maintains increasing levels of investment to meet strategic goals. Currently overseeing the development of key programs and relationships at the Oroville Chamber.

Timothy has lived in the Chico / Oroville area for fifteen years, moving here in 2001, after spending fifteen years in the HVAC Fabrication Sheet Metal Industry. He was also the Sales Manager for the Work Training Center, where he worked to build and foster a network of referrals to create new opportunities for revenue growth and customer accounts and then compile, analyze and report on sales. Timothy is also the creator of a local small food company California Habanero Blends with products in local Northern California outlets. As well as Owner/Partner of Chico Gift & Ship in Chico Ca. An active member of the Chico Chamber of Commerce and an Ambassador. Timothy is currently on the Board of Directors as Vice President for the Sustainability Management Association California Chapter One. His latest project is the development of the Food Innovation Center a shared commercial kitchen and co-packing facility to help small food companies and entrepreneurs.

Rubie Simonsen, WayUp Sacramento Rubie is a Program Director for WayUp Sacramento specializing in sustainability and systems change. She is responsible for developing several cross-sector partnerships to create unique real world experiences for young people throughout Sacramento. Having graduated with her B.A. in Sociology, this Sacramento-native, and full-time dreamer, is passionate about shaping the future of her hometown into an urban agriculture and arts hub. As a 2016 Center for Landbased Learning Beginning Farmer graduate she plans to launch a quarter acre herb farm in West Sacramento where she will produce locally grown herbal teas and beauty products. When she is not farming, Rubie can be found practicing yoga or riding her bike around midtown.



Keshav Singh, UC Davis Entomology Department Dr. Keshav D. Singh is a postdoctoral fellow in the college of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of California, Davis. He has expertise in Satellite/Airborne based Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) system. He is working on applied use of the remote sensing technologies in studies of host selection by selected insects and abilities to assess crop health via reflectance profiling, with particular reference to detection of crop responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. His main role is to assist with novel insight into improved calibration and processing of airborne remote sensing data to enhance classification accuracy and to promote the use of Drones/UAS (unmanned aerial systems) in Agroecosystem studies for Precision Agriculture (PreAg). He develops crop ecophysiology model for crops management. Prior to joining UC Davis, he was an Assistant Professor at JECRC University, Jaipur (India) where he taught “Engineering Physics” at the Graduate level.

Heather Siperstein Heather Siperstein has a BA from the University of Oregon and Culinary Certificate from the Institute of Culinary Education in New York. She worked in the restaurant industry as a pastry chef in New York and San Francisco. She also worked for Hot Bread Kitchen, a non-profit organization employing and training low-income immigrant women in a professional production bakery. She was a chef with SPACE on Ryder Farm, a writers’ retreat promoting local performance companies as well as organic farming in upstate New York. She now works for a not-for-profit start-up, establishing a sustainable energy education academy for college students in India. Her interests include sustainable food production, equality in food access, slow food, and farmers’ market communities.

Madhyama Subramanian, University of California, Berkeley Madhyama Subramanian is a sustainability professional with over 10 years of experience in project management, research, evaluation, partnership building, and communications for sustainability initiatives by multilateral organizations, non-profits, and corporations in South Asia and the US.

Madhyama has led high impact multi-media projects on natural resource management for agencies like UNDP and BBC Media Action. She also managed product development, marketing, and client engagement for “Kumbaya”, a reputed clothing brand and social enterprise based in Central India.



She graduated from UC Berkeley’s Master of Development Practice program in 2015, where she led consulting projects related to responsible mining and textile recycling for Oxfam USA and the Closed Loop Fund.

Toua Vang, CSU Fresno Toua was born in a refugee camp in Thailand and came to America in 1986. Toua studied Mass Communications/Journalism degree at California State University, Fresno. While in college Toua helps out at his parent’s farm growing corn, squash, egg plants, lemon grass and other produce. Toua also likes to cook for his family using the produce his parents grow at the farm. Soon cooking became one of his biggest passion. Toua attended the culinary program at the Institute of Technology in Clovis where he studied various cooking methods and also learned about the powerful impact of nutrition in foods. He believes a person's health starts with the food on their plate and he uses the cooking skills he learned in culinary school to create his daily diet plans. Toua hopes to empower others to create a healthy diet as well and help find a simple way for others to consume nutritious foods.

George Zheng, RIT A visionary and charismatic leader, Mr. Zheng is a focused entrepreneur and committed executive for driving manufacturing best practices and implementing leading Quality Management Systems. Since graduating from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in 2014 (BS Mechanical Engineering Technology), Mr. Zheng has been engaged as a co-founder of two start-ups: Cedar Creek P&T, Inc. and Empire Medicinals, Inc. Mr. Zheng is a brilliant and fervent learner, problem solver, team player and super achiever. As CEO, his objective is to cultivate world class talent under a culture of excellence, in the unwavering pursuit of meeting the world’s healthcare and nutritional needs. His motivation is to bring humanity into a healthier and more sustainable future.

Ivy Feng, UC Davis Ivy is a fourth year undergraduate student studying Economics and Political Science - Public Service at UC Davis. Her experiences while being the Director of Internal Operations at one of the largest professional business clubs at her university have inspired her to pursue a career in entrepreneurship. She is an enthusiastic, life long learner, and hopes to further build her skills, connections, and learn more from fellow entrepreneurs.



Justin Lu, UC Davis Justin is currently a 4th year undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Applied Mathematics. He is incredibly passionate about three things. The first is personal development. He strives to learn something new every day and become a better version of himself. The second is to help others pursue their dreams. He is the president of the largest undergraduate business organization at UC Davis with a mission to build a community of future business leaders and help others explore and discover their career path. The third is entrepreneurship. He looks forward to working with passionate people to tackle world's biggest challenges!

Scott McCarthy, UC Davis Scott McCarthy graduated from the Agricultural and Resource Economics Master’s Program at UC Davis. He received his undergraduate degree in Economics from Willamette University, Salem, OR. Previously he has worked as a Product Development Specialist in the Dairy Industry. In this capacity he managed the new product process and current product reviews. Working with clients, suppliers and internally with QA/production/sales/finance he ensured product feasibility and made sure deadlines were made. Scott also worked at UC Davis as the Interim Pilot Plant manager bringing in private business to conduct research using the facility. Furthermore in this role he worked with undergraduate and graduate students enabling research and facilitating teaching.

2017 Food + Ag Entrepreneurship Academy PARTICIPANT...

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