My PhD from the University of Sheffield (UK) is in plant molecular biology and I hold a Postgraduate Certificate in plant breeding from Massey University (NZ). I have been with Plant & Food Research since 2014, first leading the Kiwiwfruit New Cultivar science group before becoming General Manager New Cultivar Innovation in 2018. I have discovered my career in science is built on two values: I want to know stuff and I want new knowledge to cause large change. That means identifying how science can solve societal issues, turning exciting esoteria into impactful innovation. The best kind of knowledge is the kind with context and consequences - that's the mahi that motivates me. To this end, I have undergone a 20-year career transition from individual postdoctoral research scientist to leading a multi-site, multi-target, multi-year, multi-million-dollar science portfolio interacting with clients and stakeholders of all sizes, united in creating benefits for Aotearoa.

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