Jan. 27, 2010, Vineland, Ont. — Several recent appointments have been announced by Vineland
Research and Innovation Centre. “These individuals bring their knowledge, commitment and enthusiasm to
partnerships with our Canadian horticulture stakeholders and will help in
building a stronger, more competitive industry,” says VRIC CEO Dr. Jim Brandle.
Jan. 27, 2010, Vineland, Ont. — At its inception in 2006, Vineland
Research and Innovation Centre (VRIC) was a vision for the future. Today, the
Centre’s mandate to be an internationally recognized horticulture research and
innovation centre of excellence is being realized with a growing team of
dedicated research and innovation experts.
Building on Vineland’s core disciplines of Consumer Insights and Product
Innovations led by Dr. Isabelle Lesschaeve, Applied Genomics led by Dr. Daryl
Somers, and Horticultural Production Systems led by Dr. Michael Brownbridge,
Vineland is rapidly establishing research teams that will add value to Canadian
horticulture. New appointments to Vineland include:
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| Michael Kauzlaric |
• Michael Kauzlaric, horticulture technology scout, is a native of the
Niagara region who grew up on a tender fruit and grape operation. He has an
Associate Diploma (Agr.) and a B.Sc. (Agr.) degree from the University of
Guelph and will assist stakeholders in searching the world for new horticulture
technologies.
• Travis Banks, a bioinformatics researcher, joins Vineland following
seven years with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. His research will focus on
integrating data from high-throughput molecular technologies into breeding
programs, and developing software to facilitate scientific discovery.
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| Travis Banks |
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| Dr. Rumen Conev |
• Dr. Rumen Conev, a research scientist specializing in plant breeding,
earned his PhD from the Plovdiv Agrarian University, Bulgaria, followed by
post-doctoral research in Japan, Israel and Canada. He brings experience as an
assistant professor, ornamental plant breeding, at Virginia Polytechnic
Institute and State University to Vineland where he will develop germplasm with
novel traits in high value crops.
• Dr. Ben Campbell, a horticulture economics researcher, comes to
Vineland from Texas A&M University where he completed post-doctorate
research. His work will target horticulture market expansion through the
introduction of new or enhanced products.
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| Dr. Ben Campbell |
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| Dr. Rose Buitenhuis |
• Dr. Rose Buitenhuis, a biological control researcher, is an
entomologist specializing in integrated pest management and biological control
in horticulture, she received her PhD from Laval University. At Vineland, she
will focus on insect biocontrol beginning with biological thrips control in
greenhouse ornamentals.
“These individuals bring their knowledge, commitment and enthusiasm to
partnerships with our Canadian horticulture stakeholders and will help in
building a stronger, more competitive industry,” says VRIC CEO Dr. Jim Brandle.
“Vineland has received significant support from both the federal and
provincial governments,” adds VRIC chairperson Donald Ziraldo. “As our research
capacity grows, we also enhance our ability to partner effectively with
research departments in both levels of government, industry and with academia
and other research institutions. Together with these partners, we are building
a stronger research network that is accessible and responsive to the needs of
Canadian horticulture industry from grower through to retail.”
VRIC is an independent, not-for-profit organization created to be a
world-class centre for horticultural science and innovation. In its capacity to
enable and foster relationships with industry, academia and government,
Vineland works to deliver premium product and production innovations. Vineland
brings a global perspective to the Canadian horticulture industry and offers a
broad range of lasting benefits to stakeholders both locally and
internationally. Aligned with industry needs, Vineland’s research priorities
and outcomes are focused on the growth of the entire horticulture industry.
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