CubicFarms appoints scientific advisory board to advance food production technology

CubicFarm Systems, a local chain agricultural technology company, today announced the appointment of a scientific advisory board to guide and advise CubicFarms.

The SAB is comprised of top experts in the fields of agriculture and technology. The SAB is primarily responsible for making recommendations to the company’s senior leadership team regarding research and development priorities.

“We’re proud to have an accomplished and diverse group of scientific and research experts as the members of our scientific advisory board,” said Dave Dinesen, CEO, CubicFarms. “This team of scientific advisors bring their significant knowledge and expertise in land use, controlled-environment agriculture, artificial intelligence, machine learning, automation, and data analysis. They understand the complexities of navigating issues like food waste, and they’re committed to finding solutions to the real-world problems of food scarcity and food security. This will significantly contribute to our local chain ag-tech solution to convert the industry’s traditionally long and unsustainable food supply chains.”

Inaugural members of the SAB include:
Dr. Lenore Newman (SAB Chair) — Director of the Food and Agriculture Institute at the University of the Fraser Valley (UVF) where she holds a Canada Research Chair in Food Security and Environment.

Dr. Tammara Soma — Dr. Soma MCIP RPP is an Assistant Professor at the School of Resource and Environmental Management (Planning program) at Simon Fraser University and Research Director of the Food Systems Lab. 

Dr. Laila Benkrima — Director of LB Plant Biosciences Research and Consulting Inc. at Simon Fraser University.  Dr. Benkrima has extensive experience in research, training, and teaching horticulture techniques and as a crop consultant to greenhouse and farming operators. 

Dr. Evan Fraser — Professor Evan Fraser, PhD, is a full professor at the University of Guelph, the Director of the Arrell Food Institute, a Fellow of the Trudeau Foundation, and a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society.   

In addition to these members, the SAB will also include current leadership from CubicFarms including Leo Benne, Founder of CubicFarms; Tim Fernback, Chief Financial Officer, CubicFarms; and Edoardo De Martin, Chief Technology Officer, CubicFarms.

“The caliber of the SAB members speaks to our commitment to scientifically rigorous R&D for our commercial-scale indoor growing technologies. With the support of our Scientific Advisory Board, our efforts will continue to advance our fresh food production in the CubicFarm System as well as fresh livestock feed in our HydroGreen Grow System. We need the best and brightest in the industry working together to solve food security issues. I’m confident this team will provide innovative and educated recommendations that will evolve our technologies and transform agriculture and food production globally,” added Dinesen.