Opening Keynote — Bram Govaerts, PhD
Wednesday, November 9
Risk Mitigation in the Food Chain
We are thrilled to welcome Bram Govaerts, PhD, as the Cereals & Grains 22 opening keynote speaker. Dr. Govaerts is the Director General of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and renowned for pioneering, implementing, and inspiring transformational changes for farmers and consumers in meeting the sustainable development challenges. He leads the CIMMYT team in addressing the impacts of climate change and other world events that present challenges for our global food systems. CIMMYT is the global repository for wheat and corn germplasm and is well positioned for helping the global food system. His expertise in agriculture and his global view puts him in a unique position to understand global supplies of grains, the environment, and how our work as cereal chemists intersect.
About the Speaker:
Bram Govaerts is Director General a.i., Chief Operating Officer, Deputy Director General for Research (Sustainable Production Systems and Integrated Programs), a.i. and Director of CIMMYT’s Integrated Development Program.
Govaerts specializes in the fields of bioscience engineering and soil sciences. He is renowned for pioneering, implementing, and inspiring transformational changes for farmers and consumers in meeting the sustainable development challenges.
Sustainability Panel — Tina Owens and Andrew Ross
Thursday, November 10
Perspectives on Using Grains to Improve Sustainability
The rate of change in agricultural practices and climate events continues to increase and impact grain quality in ways we need to understand and be able to perform tests. In this session, Tina Owens and Andrew Ross, two experts who lead change in agricultural practices and grain quality. Their lively panel will inspire you with ways you and your organization or research can impact public perception of grain and legume consumption and global sustainability initiatives. The thought-provoking science provided by these two in this session will no doubt lead to compelling discussions among all attendees.
About the Speakers
Tina Owens is a systems leader and strategist within the Organic and Regenerative Agriculture movements in the United States. Her background spans two decades within the world’s largest food companies and includes leading transformational shifts in food and agriculture systems as it relates to on-farm profitability, carbon sequestration, consumer activism related to clean label, and unfolding food as medicine and nutrient density outcomes. Tina is a passionate advocate for scaling regionally-based, perennial and regenerative food systems focused on human and planetary health outcomes, and walks the talk through regeneration of the land on her own family farm.
Professor Andrew Ross, PhD, has been the leader of the Oregon State University Cereal Quality program for 21 years. Prior to that he spent three years as the technology expert for baking applications at Novozymes, Denmark and before that worked in Australia. In Australia, amongst other activities, he was part of the development team that developed the Rapid Visco Analyzer, a widely used instrument for testing starch functionality and he had a long and fruitful collaboration with Dr. Graham Crosbie on Asian noodle technology.
Closing Session — Dr. Pamela Dalton & Bob Baron
Moderated by Natalie Stoer
Friday, November 11
Sensory Science and Data Driven Product Development
The science of sensory perception of foods has a profound effect on consumer choice and consumer expectations. Dr. Pamela Dalton and Bob Baron, two world renown sensory scientists, join us in this closing session to discuss how the science of the human senses and cereals science interact and how it can be a powerful tool for cereal chemists. This “can’t-miss” session is moderated by Natalie Stoer, General Mills, and involves engagement with attendees through Q&A and stimulating discussions.
About the Speakers
Bob Baron, PhD is the President of Sensory Spectrum, a globally recognized sensory and consumer insights consulting firm founded in 1986. As president, Bob is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the firm. Additionally, he works closely with clients to create tailored research solution for their product challenges. He works very closely with the consultant teams to broaden and promote the company’s diverse capabilities.
Dr. Pamela Dalton is a Principal Investigator/Member at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia, a nonprofit, multidisciplinary, basic research institute devoted to the study of smell, taste, and chemical irritation. Dr. Dalton received her PhD from New York University and her master’s degree in Public Health from Drexel University. Her research program explores the human response to odors, incorporating both sensory and cognitive experimental approaches.
