Speaker Bios: Biotechnology & Agriculture

 

Dr. Toby Bradshaw

Dr. Bradshaw is a currently chairperson of the Biology Department at the University of Washington, where he has taught since 1989. His research and publishing accomplishments are many, but he is probably best known as the victim of an incident in 2001 when his laboratory at the university was firebombed by environmental activities with Earth Liberation Front who suspected him of engaging in research to produce genetically-engineered trees.

 

Toby's research interests are in the detailed molecular genetic basis of adaptive evolution in natural populations, particularly the origin of new species resulting from premating reproductive isolation. In his spare time he roams the Great Basin with his Harris's hawks, in search of jackrabbits.

 

Dr. Bradshaw’s complete curriculum vitae can be found online.

 

Natalie DiNicola

Dr. Natalie DiNicola is Vice President of Sustainable Ag Partnerships at Monsanto Company, where she leads efforts to embed sustainability principles throughout the company. Her team also leads the development of public-private partnerships working with civil society, research institutions, and others to fight hunger and improve nutrition security, to protect natural resources and to improve the livelihood of farmers around the world through the adoption of improved agricultural systems. Previously, she served as a Federation of Animal Sciences Societies Science fellow in Washington, D.C., where she worked on agriculture and environment-related issues and focused on the use of science in policy making.

 

She received her B.A. in Biology and Environmental Biology from St. Mary’s College in 1989 and her Ph.D. in Environmental Toxicology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1995.

 

Dr. Christina Owen

Christina Owen is a Program Officer in the Agricultural Development group at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where she has worked since 2010. She develops and manages Research & Development grants, with a focus on leveraging discovery science and innovation for smallholder farmers in developing countries. She also has a strong interest in science communication and outreach, and spent time as a radio journalist covering science and the environment.

 

Christina has a PhD from the University of Washington in evolutionary genetics of flowering plants. She lives in Seattle, Washington, USA with her husband and 2 year old son.