World Avocado Congress NZ 2023 speaker bio, titles and abstracts

A-C

Adam Goldwater-Australia	Monitoring avocado quality at retail to drive improvement	Post harvest/Postcosecha	Adam is a horticultural researcher and General Manager at Applied Horticultural Research, based in Sydney, Australia. Adam leads a national project monitoring avocado quality at retail, providing quality feedback to suppliers and retailers to help drive quality improvement.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/a0d8d69a87f14baaaad047d3c8d053bb
Aldo Pesce-Italy	Most common mistakes in avocado oil extraction		Aldo Pesce is the Export Sales Manager at Amenduni Nicola Spa, leading Italian manufacturer of machines for avocado oil extraction. In last ten years he has been involved in dozens of projects all over the world from the design to the working operations. His focus is to ensure to supply the most suitable solution for the production processes, to make oil extraction operations the most rational, efficient, productive and competitive	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/51092d02f1484288bf966c3436b6bcec
Alejandro Gavito-United States	The Hass Avocado Board’s role in growing avocado demand in the U.S. The current market trends, opportunities, and challenges	Market and/or country reports/Mercado y/o Informes de países	Alejandro Gavito has led the Business Support Tools and Information program at HAB for 9 years. He has played a vital role in providing actionable data, research, and insights to facilitate a thorough understanding of avocado demand, its drivers, and societal trends affecting the performance of the Hass avocados industry.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/e796b3d34228413bb642f172213c41b0
Ali Montazar-United States	Developing tools and information on crop water use and effective irrigation management in California avocado production systems	Production and productivity/Producción y productividad	Dr. Ali Montazar has a PhD in Irrigation and Drainage and currently is Irrigation and Water Management Advisor with University of California Cooperative Extension. He has more than 20 years of research, extension, and teaching experience. His research focus is sensor-based irrigation, water conservation, salinity, and best management practices.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/29a1ed0472b54b858c960661c80ed74f
Allan Woolf-New Zealand	Avocado oil from Kenya – maximising yield and quality of cold-pressed avocado oil	Processing/Procesamiento	Allan Woolf is the Postharvest Science Team Leader at Plant & Food Research where he works on a wide range of crops and disciplines related to postharvest. This includes all aspects of avocado such as postharvest, disinfestation, and processing.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/23cf55b9c531430f81798697babb878c
Ana Ambrosi-United States	Building and Sheilding Reputation: The Avocado Institute of Mexico	Market and/or country reports/Mercado y/o Informes de países	Ana joined Avocados From Mexico (AFM) in 2020. Her international business and U.S.-Mexico relations experience has helped her develop AFM’s corporate communication strategy, consolidate the company’s narrative for consistency and alignment, lead the marketing PR program, and build AFM’s corporate communications area. As a public affairs professional, Ana has more than 20 years of experience in corporate and political communications, crisis management, international affairs, and media relations, and has worked in a variety of industries including government, education, aviation, and health	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/c866e21dad8e44648ef449f8143090a5
Andres Bascope-Ireland	Use of natural bioactive compounds to mitigate oxidative stress and increase fruit set in avocados.	Production and productivity/Producción y productividad	He is an Agronomist from Universidad Mayor, Chile and currently Chief Agronomist with BioAtlantis company. He has been involved in the avocado business since 2004 as farm manager and crop consultant in Chile and California. He founded AGQ Labs USA in 2008 and worked for Adama Chile as R&D Manager.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/2d5481ac065947ada1b7bc5373208991
Andrew Geering-Australia	Surveillance for avocado sunblotch viroid utilizing the European honeybee (Apis mellifera L.)	Diseases/Pestes	Andrew Geering works at The University of Queensland, and is leader of a large biosecurity capacity building project for the Australian avocado industry. He is also President of the Australasian Plant Pathology Society and Vice President-elect of the International Society of Plant Pathology. Plant virology is his special expertise.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/c9ae728d808d4a1794cd10a517be84bb
Andrew Logan-New Zealand	Is There A Good Business Case To Press Avocado Oil?	Processing/Procesamiento	Andrew Logan – MSc – Development Planning. University of Surrey, UK. 1999 – pressed the first Extra Virgin Avocado Oil, in the world. Since 2001 – International Avocado Oil Consultant preparing the business strategy for companies to invest in Avocado Oil production all over the world.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/76bcecfdfc3e42479b5c2cab7c5cfe51
Andrew Logan-New Zealand	Avocado Oil Processing – a Model for Self-Regulation	Processing/Procesamiento	Andrew Logan – MSc – Development Planning. University of Surrey, UK. 1999 – pressed the first Extra Virgin Avocado Oil, in the world. Since 2001 – International Avocado Oil Consultant preparing the business strategy for companies to invest in Avocado Oil production all over the world.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/24eee94bc3254d0ab5ab9cd12df17920
Andrew Robson-Australia	How to navigate ‘AgTech’ for tree crops
Anita Boyum-South Africa	Evaluation of alternative spray programs for the control of Pre- and Post-harvest diseases on Fuerte and Hass in South Africa	Diseases/Pestes	Anita obtained her BSc. Hons. in Plant Pathology (University of KwaZuluNatal) in 1998 and has 20 years’ experience mainly working at Westfalia Fruit. Here she has been looking at practical and alternative disease management strategies for all pre-and post-harvest diseases.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/0ec0c1c85f9d46e5aa2d29868ad492e4
Armando Equihua-Martinez-Mexico	The avocado stem borer Heilipus cruciatus (Coleoptera:Curculionidae) in Veracruz México.	Diseases/Pestes	El presentador es profesor del Colegio de Postgraduados y ha trabajado con barrenadores del aguacate en México los últimos 30 años.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/1b29e5bb8f3843cabe464ad9fa139d98
Brad Siebert-New Zealand	Sustainability from a New Zealand avocado sector perspective	Sustainability/Sustentabilidad	Brad Siebert is the Deputy CEO at NZ Avocado and has both technical and operational experience in biosecurity, market access, trade policy, Integrated Pest Management and natural resource management. For the last 10 years Brad has led these areas of work for the New Zealand avocado industry.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/a05e8c48596b49d2b1562d0082437020
Braulio Alberto Lemus Soriano-Mexico	Management of root rot caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands with beneficial microorganisms	Diseases/Pestes	Es profesor e investigador de la Universidad Michoacana en el área de fitosanidad y producción de aguacate	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/4e6de97bcf9542879d768982d39479a5
Braulio Alberto Lemus Soriano-Mexico	Foliar application of silicon on preventing sunburn in avocado fruit	Production and productivity/Producción y productividad	Profesor e investigador en la Universidad Michoacana en el área de manejo de plagas y enfermedades, así como en producción de aguacate	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/10a679f4e01e45baab15963ea7270655
Brent Clothier-New Zealand	Climate change
Brier O’Shea-New Zealand	Avocado trends in the New Zealand retail market	Consumers/Consumidores
Carlo Magni-New Zealand	Approaches to identify consumer opportunities for innovation in the avocado industry	Consumers/Consumidores	Carlo Magni is the Global Consumer Insights Director at FORWARD Insight and Strategy. His work focuses on bringing the voice of consumers to Innovators and marketers in the primary sector.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/9edf9f2413ed4bd4b89cea2a107a5228
Carol Ward-New Zealand	Progressing the sustainability agenda – insights from the New Zealand kiwifruit industry	Sustainability/Sustentabilidad
Catherine Wilks-New Zealand	A review of arthropod pests of New Zealand avocados, and their management	Diseases/Pestes	Catherine is the Industry Systems Associate at New Zealand Avocado. She oversees the AvoGreen pest monitoring and fruit maturity clearance programs and provides input and support across quality and data analysis sections of the industry. Catherine has been involved in research for the avocado and kiwifruit industries, as well as contributing to quarantine research aimed at protecting the NZ borders and environment.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/52d70c54eae84c3e9bf73180d4f23983
Cathy Burns-United States	The future of fresh produce			https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/541409f006c2430c8fbc9ae5bc3125aa
Cesar Peschiera-Peru	Country Reports – Peru	Country reports/Informes de países	Agricultural Engineer, with 29 years of experience in the Agroindustrial sector of Peru, currently President of the Peru Citrus Growers Association and General Manager of the company Agrícola Copacabana de Chincha S.A.
Chris O’Brien-Australia	Cryopreservation of avocado shoot tips for long term conservation.	Agritech/Agrotecnología	Researcher in plant tissue culture and molecular biology focusing on genetic improvement, disease resistance and conservation of sub-tropical and tropical crops. Creating change in tissue-culture propagation and cryo-storage to support resilience and sustainability of ag-industries and ecosystems.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/187332995740443d8c9df4789cd52753
Christina Hoddle-United States	Oviposition Biology and Behavior of the Large Avocado Seed Weevil, Heilipus lauri (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)	Invertebrate Pests/Plagas invertebradas	Christina is an Associate Specialist in the Department of Entomology at the University of California Riverside in USA. Her research focuses on the biological control and IPM of invasive species.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/5ba69d5b5e4f476bb74cb8e486681e20
Claudia Fassio-Chile	Relationship between dry matter content and post-harvest quality of “Hass” Avocado in Colombia	Post harvest/Postcosecha	Claudia es la directora de genetic and knolowdege of the avocado company GreenSuperfood. PhD especialista en propagación e investigación de frutales subtropicales.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/d39896df69124dcca3cce963d65e63a0
Claudia Hermosilla-New Zealand	High Density Avocado Production in New Zealand, Experiences at King Avocado	Production and productivity/Producción y productividad	After 20 years experience in all facets of Avocado production in Chile, Claudia emigrated to New Zealand where she has put her knowledge to use adapting her learned methodologies very successfully developing and enhancing New Zealand’s first high density avocado orchard working closely with some of the world’s leading consultants	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/3776f4bd58ed455bbf3116ee8d2f0c00
Claudio Zulueta-Chile	Use of DMP – Nitrobreak, to improve the Urea fertilization efficiency in Chile.	Production and productivity/Producción y productividad	Consultant at GAMA, Company dedicated to Avocado and Citrus Consulting and R&D.Besides consulting, GAMA runs a grower funded R&D program that includes High Density, Pruning, Soil and Root System improvement, Nutrition, Irrigation and PGR management among others to increase production or reduce grower costs.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/6f06686d8d17466f96c994aa7dee996c
Claudio Zulueta-Chile	Effect of different pre-harvest technical management on Postharvest condition of Hass avocado fruits in the interior and coastal zones of Chile.	Post harvest/Postcosecha	Consultant at GAMA, Company dedicated to Avocado and Citrus Consulting and R&D. Besides consulting, GAMA runs a grower funded R&D program that includes High Density, Pruning, Soil and Root System improvement, Nutrition, Irrigation and PGR management among others to increase production or reduce grower costs.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/0fae880ab0fc4928ab2abb1f45046783
Claudio Zulueta-Chile	Alternative pruning dates and their effect on sprouting, flowering and production of Hass avocado trees in Chile.	Production and productivity/Producción y productividad	Partner at GAMA, Company dedicated to Avocado and Citrus Consulting and R&D. Besides consulting, GAMA runs a grower funded R&D program that includes High Density, Pruning, Soil and Root System improvement, Nutrition, Irrigation and PGR management among others to increase production or reduce grower costs.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/964aacdc753c4a0b93a2047d001f7ab9
Craig Shephard-Australia	Industry meets innovation: Building the national avocado tree crop map in Australia and ensuring its ongoing maintenance through engagement with industry.	Country reports/Informes de países	Craig Shephard holds a Bachelor of Science majoring in Environmental Science and Geography, with over 25 years’ experience in the mapping of landscape attributes. Craig is particularly focused on the application of web-based Geographic Information System (GIS) technology	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/f227ebadfd6b4545900495d76ee6de4c

D-G

Dalton Baker-Australia	Biology and ecology of citrus blossom bug in avocado orchards.	Invertebrate Pests/Plagas invertebradas	Dalton Baker is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Queensland where he currently investigating the biology and ecology of citrus blossom bug. His primary area of interest is the integrated pest management of insect pests in both horticultural and animal production systems.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/d1a3bc6a5740471c97d12c15fecefa3b
Danilo Arellano-Chile	Characterization of the respiration rate of avocados exported from different countries and its relationship with carbon dioxide	Post harvest/Postcosecha	Danilo Arellano es Ingeniero Agrónomo de la Universidad de Chile, institución en la cual también realizó un Magíster en Ciencias Agropecuarias. Actualmente se desempeña como Ingeniero técnico en el área de Investigación y Desarrollo de Liventus desarrollando proyectos de innovación en países como Chile, Colombia y Sudáfrica.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/a1f5f60816aa46df875c90fca1585d67
Daryl Joyce-Australia	Growing robust avocado fruit – A systems thinking approach to inform decision making	Post harvest/Postcosecha	Daryl Joyce has worked on the biology and technology of fruit, vegetable, and ornamental crops. His value chain orientated supply chain focus is on optimisation of pre- and post-harvest practices. Daryl’s current work is around ‘measuring and monitoring to manage’ sub-tropical and tropical fruit quality from production to consumption.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/dcd4db8259984727a2013a29309ddb48
David Billing-New Zealand	Chilling damage in ‘Hass’ avocado fruit skin	Post harvest/Postcosecha	David Billing is a Postharvest Research Technologist, working for Plant & Food Research in Auckland. His research work mainly focuses on the application of storage technologies for improving the cooling, storage or transportation of horticultural produce throughout the entire cool chain, to maintain good product quality.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/0df194b9e63e4c80ada29641c1ff549f
David Oag-Australia	The effect of a paclobutrazol soil drench on vegetative growth in avocados.	Production and productivity/Producción y productividad	David has spent his research career on perennial fruit crops, starting with mango and avocado, then tablegrape, more recently adding persimmon and strawberry, and now returning to avocado. Much of David’s work has involved growing temperate crops in tropical environments, leading to a particular interest in the plant-environment interaction.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/af801f77c83f4f63a20f83eb0adfecc8
Derek Donkin-South Africa	Country report – South Africa	Country reports/Informes de países	CEO of the South African Subtropical Growers’ Association, which manages the affairs of the South African Avocado Growers’ Association. Derek has worked in the avocado industry since 1998.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/5ff2ccd18a25490e9275038166da0711
Donald Hunter-New Zealand	New physiological and molecular insights on ripening biology of avocado	Post harvest/Postcosecha		https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/697bb010d9d34a099cfc3124a31df521
Donovan Lewis-South Africa	Protocol precision ensures good quality arrivals on Maluma and growth worldwide.	Post harvest/Postcosecha	Donovan Lewis joined the Allesbeste team in 2014 and is currently the Marketing Manager and is responsible for the Marketing of all fruit from Allesbeste and the producers that supply to Allesbeste. He is also responsible for the technical aspects regarding the logistics and Pack House as well as Protocols.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/fabcc3e7ca8d49d9b39020dee0f3a6d9
Edith Estrada-Venegas-Mexico	Mites associated to ambrosia beetles (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) on avocado (Persea americana) in Mexico.	Diseases/Pestes	La presentadora es profesora del Colegio de Postgraduados y ha trabajo con insectos y acaros del aguacate los últimos 30 años.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/71616f7e79d44304b73bb20191cb0003
Edith Estrada-Venegas-Mexico	Rearing the large avocado seed borer Heilipus lauri (Coleoptera:Curculionidae) in México.	Diseases/Pestes	El presentador es profesor del Colegio de Postgraduados y ha trabajado con insectos y acaros en aguacate los ultimos 30 años.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/68d7ad0f373d4c2290c9f147626779ff
Elizabeth Dann-Australia	Investigating fungi associated with panicle blight and dieback in avocado	Diseases/Pestes	Liz Dann and the avocado pathology team at UQ work on a wide range of diseases affecting roots, shoots, flowers and fruit in the nursery, orchard and postharvest. A focus is to deliver options to industry for disease management by optimising existing practices and evaluating alternative approaches.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/b0457f21c4ac411da3af0ef190e9869a
Elizabeth Dann-Australia	Understanding the mode of action of phosphite in avocado for enhanced management of Phytophthora root rot	Diseases/Pestes	Liz Dann and the avocado pathology team at UQ work on a wide range of diseases affecting roots, shoots, flowers and fruit in the nursery, orchard and postharvest. A focus is to deliver options to industry for disease management by optimising existing practices and evaluating alternative approaches.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/e14f0211f7d0489bacdba6a3673fcf43
Elize Jooste-South Africa	Avocado sunblotch viroid: the challenge of symptomless carrier trees in disease management	Diseases/Pestes	Dr Elize Jooste is a research team manager and researcher at the Agricultural Research Council in South Africa. Her current research focuses on the detection and control of pests and diseases of tropical and subtropical crops. She is involved in research on avocado sunblotch disease and improving the management of the disease.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/69c3bca0db454ffc81005908b9f84a9f
Enrique Rebaza-	Managing salinity while boosting water efficiency for sustainable avocado production	Agritech/Agrotecnología		https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/7e8d91919f824dd5a3e88043a1c0d139
Eric Focht-United States	Eating quality, sensory profile, volatile analysis, and postharvest evaluation of two early season Hass-like mutants: Flavia and Eugenin	Breeding and genomics/Crianza y genómica	Eric Focht has been a Staff Researcher at UCR for over 20 years; he is also in the process of completing his PhD in Plant Biology and plans on defending his dissertation in Spring or Summer Quarter, 2023	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/120b89764a244d38b79c4bb48d149414
Eric Imbert-France	Overview of global supply & demand
Etaferahu Takele-United States	The effect on productivity and profit of high density planting of avocados	Production and productivity/Producción y productividad	As an extension farm management extension economist in the University of California Cooperative Extension, the author’s research and extension program includes: analyzing new crops economics and profitability; comparing benefits of alternative practices and selecting optimum input combination in production practices.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/4cdd74ab98644f5392a53c26f14eaa50
Fintan Cannon-	Avocado: from zero to hero in the Korean market. The success of avocado and Korean consumer psyche	Consumers/Consumidores	Fintan is the Managing Director of Latitude, an in-market service provider for organisations who are active in the Korean market. Working alongside Avanza, he was in charge of introducing New Zealand avocados to the Korean consumer in a format that suited the Korean diet. In between stints at Latitude, he worked as Brand Development Manager with Jameson Irish Whiskey in the Philippines. With Jameson he was the lead for adapting global brand strategy and executing all consumer facing elements of the brand’s local program. Recently returned to Latitude, his passion and focus is on bringing products to market in an innovative and collaborative way. Fintan, who is originally from Ireland, has spent a total of seven years living in Korea intermittently and has become fluent in Korean.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/0382564797ef43f9a61e2615e6983d88
Florence Van Dyke-New Zealand	Sustainability from a commercial angle
Francisco Contardo-Sfeir-Chile	Country Report – Chile	Country reports/Informes de países	Executive Director Chilean Avocado Committee
Francisco Gardiazabal-Chile	Effect of Bioaminol and Serenade on the production of Hass Avocados in Chile.	Production and productivity/Producción y productividad	Partner at GAMA, Company dedicated to Avocado and Citrus Consulting and R&D. Besides consulting, GAMA runs a grower funded R&D program that includes High Density, Pruning, Soil and Root System improvement, Nutrition, Irrigation and PGR management among others to increase production or reduce grower costs.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/fa9eab1d66884dc69646db4c4dc4ad2f
Francisco Gardiazabal-Chile	Ecological Sustainability of Avocados in Chile	Sustainability/Sustentabilidad	Partner at GAMA, Company dedicated to Avocado and Citrus Consulting and R&D. Besides consulting, GAMA runs a grower funded R&D program that includes High Density, Pruning, Soil and Root System improvement, Nutrition, Irrigation and PGR management among others to increase production or reduce grower costs.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/33f04bde3bd042db8ea457f0d52f2cea
Francisco Mena Vólker-Chile	Growing avocados in challenging times			https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/4ddbf562d37547099802e53479641aa6
Francisco Mena Vólker-Chile	Nitrogen distribution and it´s effect on productivity in avocado trees var. Hass in Chile.	Production and productivity/Producción y productividad	Partner at GAMA, Company dedicated to Avocado and Citrus Consulting and R&D. Besides consulting, GAMA runs a grower funded R&D program that includes High Density, Pruning, Soil and Root System improvement, Nutrition, Irrigation and PGR management among others to increase production or reduce grower costs.
Francisco Mena Vólker-Chile	Effect of Uniconazole soil spring applications as a possible replacement of foliar applications in the production of Hass Avocados in Chile.	Production and productivity/Producción y productividad	Partner at GAMA, Company dedicated to Avocado and Citrus Consulting and R&D. Besides consulting, GAMA runs a grower funded R&D program that includes High Density, Pruning, Soil and Root System improvement, Nutrition, Irrigation and PGR management among others to increase production or reduce grower costs.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/44f6de591874461d8dad761c0624bc78
Francisco Mena Vólker-Chile	Effect of soil applied Kelpak in two zones – one irrigated with saline water and one with good quality water – on the production of Hass Avocados in Chile.	Production and productivity/Producción y productividad	Partner at GAMA, Company dedicated to Avocado and Citrus Consulting and R&D. Besides consulting, GAMA runs a grower funded R&D program that includes High Density, Pruning, Soil and Root System improvement, Nutrition, Irrigation and PGR management among others to increase production or reduce grower costs.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/e984bdd84b8b4e92bb10fe609815a3c9
Fredy Monserrate-New Zealand	Influence of different fertilization regimes on avocado fruit mineral composition in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand	Agritech/Agrotecnología	Fredy is a Colombian PhD candidate from Massey University in New Zealand, working at the farmed landscape research centre. His thesis is entitled: Nutrient management strategies for improving calcium status of avocados.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/1e9d1aa5d7b34e7788f2cef743caea0f
Gary Hannam-New Zealand	Country Reports – Kenya	Country reports/Informes de países	Olivado introduced its New Zealand developed extra virgin avocado process to Kenya in 2007. A 9 year programme with New Zealand’s Plant and Food Research for avocado production and post-harvest handling (2014-2023 )has seen many new developments including a world leading predictive model for determining maturity of avocado for fresh exports and oil production across 14 Counties and 5,000 farms. Olivado also exports fresh avocado to Europe.
Gina Widjaja-United States	Leveraging nutrition science and communications to promote avocado consumption in the United States	Consumers/Consumidores	Gina Widjaja is the Senior Director of Marketing & Communications, responsible for the communications strategy to increase demand and strengthen fresh avocados’ position in the U.S. Her work contributed to the increased awareness of Love One Today®, a leading source of the healthiest reasons and tastiest ways to enjoy fresh avocados.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/5c6ff35db6614b1eb8c83db51a2272fa
Giyora Marom-Israel	The control of dry matter through the entire value chain aiming at reducing internal quality problems and adjusting ripening protocols	Post harvest/Postcosecha		https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/9103345a4f3b4ebfb8c592edf0fa261c
Gonzalo Martinez Hermosilla-New Zealand	Avocado counting using machine vision and machine learning	Agritech/Agrotecnología		https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/6e16566d60624ca9a28b2f8b9de1b40d
Gonzalo Martinez Hermosilla-New Zealand	Prediction of packed avocado porosity and its application on rapid optimisation of packaging design	Post harvest/Postcosecha	He is Agricultural Engineer and PhD in Bioprocess Engineering with interest in the application of mathematical modelling and optimisation on agrifood processes. He has experience working on industry-focused research across a broad range of application including food packaging, food processing, and postharvest.
Gul Ali-United States	The USDA Avocado Germplasm Collection: Genetics, genomics, phenomics and uses	Breeding and genomics/Crianza y genómica	Dr. Ali is a Geneticist with USDA at the Subtropical Horticulture Research Station in Miami, Florida. His responsibilities include preservation, characterization and distribution of Avocado germplasm to stakeholders around the world. He generates avocado breeding populations for genetic studies and for developing varieties with desirable horticultural, nutritional and climate-resilience traits.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/e6a387b35f48472a9c4063008c94e8c3

H-L

Hans Maurer-	A global industry perspective on fresh produce sustainability standards	Sustainability/Sustentabilidad
Harley Smith-Australia	Physiological basis of summer fruit abscission in avocado.	Production and productivity/Producción y productividad	Dr Harley Smith is a Research Scientist and Team Leader at CSIRO Agriculture and Food in Adelaide, Australia. Harley’s research is focused on understanding the physiological basis of summer fruit abscission for the development of management practices to mitigate avocado irregular bearing.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/3580768e1911430584b212dd9b60cf7a
Helen Boldingh-New Zealand	Effect of shoot meristem type on the likelihood of the shoot fruiting in subsequent years in New Zealand ‘Hass’ orchards.	Production and productivity/Producción y productividad	Helen Boldingh is a Senior Scientist at The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Ltd. Her research focuses on carbohydrate physiology over a wide range of perennial crops. Understanding how plant species supply carbon for growth and the carbohydrate status effect on development of floral meristems.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/b241fd170bdd46908706f42c13902f06
Ian Newton-Australia	Avocado pest management in Australia: the current and future research, technology and management challenges	Invertebrate Pests/Plagas invertebradas	Dr Newton has a PhD in entomology (University of Queensland) and over 24 years experience as an applied entomologist, mostly in horticulture and tree crops. Dr Newton has extensive experience in IPM RD&E, including research on insect biology, ecology, biological control, insect pathogens, biopesticides, chemical control and pheromone trapping.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/c576504ea4bd42eab5fcf89da65d79fe
Jayeni Hiti Bandaralage-Australia	Let’s toast – Avocado tissue culture goes commercial	Agritech/Agrotecnología	Dr. Hiti-Bandaralage is plant biotechnologist at the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, University of Queensland, Australia. She specialises in tissue culture and genetic improvement of plants with over 10 years experience in both academia and biotech-industry. She developed the World’s first high-throughput avocado commercial tissue-culture technology for avocado.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/0805a77eb3c04de488e7c05b62d8703f
Jeff Oberman-United States	Country Reports – California	Country reports/Informes de países	President and CEO for the California Avocado Commission. Trusted resource throughout the global fresh food distribution supply chain with over 25 years’ experience. Past executive management roles with the United Fresh Produce Association and PRO*ACT, LLC
Jem Burdon-New Zealand	Fruit texture assessment and interpretation in ‘Hass’ avocado	Post harvest/Postcosecha	With 30 years of avocado experience, Dr Burdon’s fundamental postharvest research supports commercial R&D activity both within New Zealand and globally. Current research interests within the wider postharvest field include fruit maturity, postharvest handling and controlled atmosphere storage, all with a focus on the final ripe fruit quality	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/c09df73e8a1949ff9c3f8536263bb9ca
Jem Burdon-New Zealand	Physiological limits for the controlled atmosphere storage of ‘Hass’ avocado fruit	Post harvest/Postcosecha	With 30 years of avocado experience, Dr Burdon’s fundamental postharvest research supports commercial R&D activity both within New Zealand and globally. Current research interests within the wider postharvest field include fruit maturity, postharvest handling and controlled atmosphere storage, all with a focus on the final ripe fruit quality	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/a05f566b7a984d43800358f96dcba13e
Jen Scoular-New Zealand	Country Report – New Zealand	Country reports/Informes de países	Jen is the CEO of NZ Avocado, Director of World Avocado Congress NZ Ltd and President of the World Avocado Congress Committee. She has led the New Zealand industry body for 11 years. During this time the industry value has increased from $80m in 2012 to over $230m in 2021.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/2b17c23127f04f18bce4a59277d35096
Jerry Prendergast-	A global industry perspective on fresh produce sustainability standards	Sustainability/Sustentabilidad
John McGuigan-United States	The Avocado’s Sustainability Story in the U.S.	Sustainability/Sustentabilidad	John McGuigan is the Director of Industry Affairs for the Hass Avocado Board (HAB). His job is to ensure that avocado stakeholders in the U.S. count on HAB as a catalyst for action and a reason to be confident in the industry in the U.S.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/2f05795459df42b4bedbde73d52334ae
John Tyas-Australia	Country Reports – Australia	Country reports/Informes de países	CEO of Avocados Australia, the national avocado peak industry body in Australia, and he has been in this role since 2012. John’s team provide leadership and support to the industry including communications, education and training, industry and market data, domestic and export market development, and biosecurity.
John-Paul Praat-New Zealand	Using existing information to add value throughout the supply chain	Agritech/Agrotecnología	JP brings over 20 years experience in applied agricultural, horticultural and viticultural research, farm management and technical development to his work. A practical farm upbringing led to a PhD in no-tillage and further into applied R&D. Specialist areas include agrichemical application, precision horticulture, crop management, product tracking and information management.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/3373e9c02cab4c06a9854b1ac8e05604
Jonathan Dixon-New Zealand	Use of high-resolution drone imagery for crop estimation, health and size of GEM® and ‘Hass’ avocado trees in New Zealand	Agritech/Agrotecnología	Dr. Jonathan Dixon has been researching growing and storage of avocados in New Zealand since the year 2000. Jonathan oversees the development of GEM avocados in New Zealand and consults to over 100 avocado growers on all aspects of avocado management.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/f68c84cdda9d417882b5cfede845a578
Jorge Restrepo-Colombia	Country Reports – Colombia	Country reports/Informes de países	Executive Director of Corpohass, the Colombian association of Hass avocados growers and exporters. Vicechair Colombia Avocado Board.
Jose Armando Lopez Orduña-Mexico	Country Report – Mexico	Country reports/Informes de países
José Miguel Tapia-Gatica-New Zealand	Soil characterisation (biological, physical and chemical) of highly productive New Zealand avocado orchards.	Sustainability/Sustentabilidad	Miguel is a Research Engineer at NZ Avocado supporting research activities, data analysis and grower engagement. Previously, he worked for over a decade as a biochemical engineer in Chile and New Zealand, developing projects in climate change, microbiological climate change, carbon footprint quantification, life cycle assessment and carbon stock, as well as biofuels. He also designed wastewater treatment systems to treat wastewater with high concentrations of nitrogen compounds.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/c03d0e58d8934861bf8a9cbd2d32248a
Josette Tin-United States	Micropropagation of Avocados (Persea spp.) in California	Production and productivity/Producción y productividad	Josette’s work at the Huntington gardens is devoted to the tissue culture of Persea and other plants. Her scientific interests aim to better understand nutritional requirements of micropropagated plants and has been working with avocado for 4 years. She holds a MS degree in Conservation from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/b20b3052723b455ea935eb0b2fce5a5b
Juan Sebastián Arias García-Colombia	Hass avocado phenology in the andean tropics of Caldas, Colombia	Production and productivity/Producción y productividad	El autor presentador es ingeniero agrónomo con Maestría en Sistemas de producción, actualmente adelanta sus estudios de doctorado en Colombia. Se ha desempeñado como docente e investigador en áreas como la producción de cultivos, fisiología vegetal, agro climatología y fitosanidad. Actualmente trabaja en la ecofisiología del aguacate Hass.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/a1f2007458934dbd8dcec2303cd18466
Juan Sebastián Arias García-Colombia	Fruit retention in Hass avocado by cardinal point in two contrasting zones of the Andean tropics in Colombia	Production and productivity/Producción y productividad	El presentador de este resumen es Ingeniero Agrónomo con Maestría en Sistemas de producción. Actualmente adelanta su cuarto año de estudios doctorales desarrollando su tesis en el cultivo de aguacate Hass. Tiene experiencia como docente universitario, asesor técnico e investigador en las áreas de ecofisiología y producción de cultivos.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/49e2d7f5a0ea48a98731587320d6fdbd
Kerry Everett-New Zealand	Temperature and seasonality of infection of ‘Hass’ avocados by fruit rot pathogens	Diseases/Pestes	Dr Kerry Everett is a Principal Scientist and a Team Leader in Plant & Food Research, New Zealand. Dr Everett has been conducting research on avocado fruit rots since 1991 and has contributed significantly to knowledge on control by fungicides and cultural factors.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/df6f1671732a49eead97a63447046d36
Kristie O’Donnell-New Zealand	Does Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) treatment of avocado increase cold pressed oil yield?	Processing/Procesamiento	Kristie has worked in the postharvest science team at Plant and Food Research for the last five years. She works with a range of crops for both commercial and fundamental science projects including kiwifruit and avocados.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/b692cd720f06464293e25e8c705a7d33
Lain Jager-New Zealand	The future of food
Lara Pretorius-Australia	Rapid Sample Preparation for High Throughput Diagnosis of Avocado Sunblotch Viroid	Diseases/Pestes	I have been captivated by plant-pathology and plant-pathogen interactions ever since I learnt that the tulips considered the most valuable during Tulip Mania were infected with a virus. I now consider viruses the graffiti artist of the natural world-leaving their unique “tags” for us discover.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/196e2d7a6ce34e3db1794cb4d1bcbc70
Lucas Cano-Colombia	Effect of Rootstock/Scion Compatibility on Avocado cv. Hass Fruit and Foliar Mineral Composition	Production and productivity/Producción y productividad	Master researcher in agricultural sciences, emphasis on plant physiology with experience in fruit trees from cold to moderate cold climate, currently attached to the network of fruit trees from where he performs physiological improvement in the cultivation of avocado cv. Hass	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/a4a4357125cc43d5976fa625611b761a
Lucia Ramos Romero-New Zealand	The relationship between postharvest rots and orchard variables in ‘Hass’ avocado orchards in New Zealand: The Avovantage project.	Diseases/Pestes	Having completed her postgraduate studies and PhD in Germany focusing on plant pathology, Dr. Lucia Ramos moved to New Zealand in 2017 to work at Plant and Food Research as a Scientist. Her work focusses on different fungal and oomycete diseases affecting a large number of crops and their management	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/9b248bd6cfca4cfdb16fdd174ed4582f
Luis Montgomery-Peru	Nutrient standards by reproductive stage development in ‘Hass’ avocado (Persea americana Mill.) in the north coast of Peru	Production and productivity/Producción y productividad	Protected Agriculture Master; Innovation & Strategic Entrepreneurship Master; Agricultural Engineer; Specialist in agri-food sector, mainly in avocado and blueberry. With experience in extremely arid management conditions typical of Peru, and in agronomic evaluation of different sites of the world for implementation of new projects feasibility. Member of Avocado Scientific Committees.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/2b265aa74c214709b551a39b683a8b2b
Luis Montgomery-Peru	Nutrient standards by age of leaf in ‘Hass’ avocado (Persea americana Mill.) in the north coast of Peru	Production and productivity/Producción y productividad	Protected Agriculture Master; Innovation & Strategic Entrepreneurship Master; Agricultural Engineer; Specialist in agri-food sector, mainly in avocado and blueberry. With experience in extremely arid management conditions typical of Peru, and in agronomic evaluation of different sites of the world for implementation of new projects feasibility. Member of Avocado Scientific Committees.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/fbd43b419e064c43821bfb80ea553725
Luis Montgomery-Peru	Irrigation management during harvest and its influence on the postharvest of ´Hass´ avocado in the north Peruvian coast	Post harvest/Postcosecha	Protected Agriculture Master; Innovation & Strategic Entrepreneurship Master; Agricultural Engineer; Specialist in agri-food sector, mainly in avocado and blueberry. With experience in extremely arid management conditions typical of Peru, and in agronomic evaluation of different sites of the world for implementation of new projects feasibility. Member of Avocado Scientific Committees.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/5fac925f874642b6b6065b913d2c81a0

M-P

Marcelo Brossi Santoro-Brazil	Optimum leaf sample size for nutritional diagnosis of subtropical rainfed Hass orchards	Extension/Extensión	Marcelo Santoro is a Phd student from University of Sao Paulo in Brazil and is currently working at The University of Queensland with microbiological agents and soil conditioners on different avocado rootstocks.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/002df6a79a24494f87a2a8424c0c4ec2
Marcelo Brossi Santoro-Brazil	Are tensiometers the best tool for water management in subtropical Hass orchards?	Production and productivity/Producción y productividad	Marcelo Santoro is a Phd candidate from the University of Sao Paulo (Brazil), and is currently working at the University of Queensland with microbiological agents and soil conditioners to understand its efffects on avocado rootstocks.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/ac7345dca87846b1b7f5e70ef26b1d21
Marguerite Hyde-South Africa	Clonal Rootstock Budwood Storage Procedures for South African Propagation Conditions	Production and productivity/Producción y productividad	Marguerite Hyde graduated from the University of Stellenbosch and started her Horticultural career in the Westfalia Fruit Commercial Nursery in 2017 before joining the Westfalia Technological Services team in 2020. Focusing on improving and expanding current and new propagation techniques of avocado trees.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/c173cff5c5394b95abba3384764b3be9
Maria Manjarrez-Australia	Can we use a portable NIR (near infra-red) scanner and machine learning (AI) to quantify soil microbiology in avocado orchards?	Agritech/Agrotecnología	Dr Maria Manjarrez obtained her PhD in soil microbiology by researching mycorrhizal fungi and plants at molecular level. She has published peer-reviewed papers on this topic. Maria has experience developing innovative methods for the study of microbial populations in soils, but most importantly by adapting them to serve food producers.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/f2981e8b89774f9cb2fbb4988be76c87
Maria Isabel Larragoiti Suarez-Mexico	Sustainability, the guiding axis of the APEAM AC	Social sustainability/Sustentabilidad social	María Isabel Larragoiti Suárez, is an Accountant with a Masters in Gestalt Psychotherapy, is currently the Sustainable Development Manager in the APEAM. In her role, she has lead the Sustainability for the company, with actions like coordinating the Green Agenda and achieving the National Exportation Award in 2020.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/fd27c68c48ce45af899b432af496cf58
Maria Isabel Larragoiti Suarez-Mexico	Forest conservation, a collective action.	Sustainability/Sustentabilidad	María Isabel Larragoiti Suárez, is an Accountant with a Masters in Gestalt Psychotherapy, is currently the Sustainable Development Manager in the APEAM. In her role, she has lead the Sustainability for the company, with actions like coordinating the Green Agenda and achieving the National Exportation Award in 2020.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/89e0312f651a445dbe8fde5574bfb2fb
Marie Wong-New Zealand	Cold Pressed Avocado Oil – To Peel or Not To Peel	Processing/Procesamiento	Marie Wong has been at Massey University for 24 years, after working in the food industry and government research. Marie has been involved with avocado oil research since 2000, both extraction and lipid chemistry. She has also worked with other New Zealand oils including olive, flaxseed and rape seed.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/b9140477332c4e44a82ffd7be3d883a3
Mark Hoddle-United States	Proactive Biocontrol and IPM of Potentially Invasive Avocado Fruit Feeding Pests	Invertebrate Pests/Plagas invertebradas	Mark Hoddle is an extension specialist in biological control in the Department of Entomology at the University of California, Riverside. Hoddle works on the biocontrol of invasive species of importance to California. Avocado pest management is a significant research area for Hoddle’s laboratory.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/10c65857eac44835a20ad05933da50ed
Marnus Ferreira-South Africa	Discussing the relationship between soil physical properties and the yield potential of avocado: commercial results from four continents.	Agritech/Agrotecnología	Chief Soil Scientist at AT involved in various projects, leading and guiding the teams of soil scientists. In addition to being a highly qualified, experienced soil scientist, is an expert in spatial and temporal variability of soil across landscapes including ability to assess soil potential and provide appropriate amelioration recommendations.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/f34b77dd6019457bb03fdfac62c313b5
Mary Lu Arpaia-United States	Genetic diversity and population structure of the California avocado germplasm	Breeding and genomics/Crianza y genómica	Prof. Arpaia conducts an applied research and extension program for the University of California on subtropical fruit crops. Within these responsibilities, she oversees the varietal breeding program for new avocado varieties. Research emphasis in this area focuses on genomics, productivity and postharvest performance.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/132d9d685d8545b9b5cfce6fea06eade
Mary Lu Arpaia-United States	Postharvest storage quality and eating quality of a new promising avocado variety	Breeding and genomics/Crianza y genómica	Prof. Arpaia conducts an applied research and extension program for the University of California on subtropical fruit crops. Within these responsibilities, she oversees the varietal breeding program for new avocado varieties. Research emphasis in this area focuses on genomics, productivity and postharvest performance.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/b177213d37724407b456229f5d1a9d83
Matt Dyck-New Zealand	Keeping New Zealand Fruit Fly Free	Diseases/Pestes	Matt Dyck is Chair of the New Zealand Fruit Fly Council, a group that includes representatives from government and New Zealand horticultural groups concerned about the threat of fruit flies. The Council share costs and decision making for fruit fly biosecurity readiness and response activities. Matt is also the Biosecurity Manager for Kiwifruit Vine Health, an organisation that represents the biosecurity interests of New Zealand kiwifruit growers. In this role Matt works to reduce the likelihood and impact of future biosecurity incursions to this industry.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/cef2b54afdeb4ff0aa8283d2608fdda3
Maxwell Kibor-South Africa	Abundance and diversity of thrips (Thysanoptera) on avocados and macadamias in the Levubu region of Limpopo Province, South Africa	Invertebrate Pests/Plagas invertebradas	He completed his MSc in Biology(Biodiversity and Environmental Health) at the University of Siena, Italy and a collaborative European Erasmus for traineeship exchange program at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden. He is currently a PhD researcher in Entomology at the University of Pretoria, South Africa	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/52355fe7862043908f3ee87fbee262e8
Michelle Miedecke-Australia	Exploring avocado root function and partitioning of 15N to major organs in the tree during the spring root flush.	Production and productivity/Producción y productividad	Michelle Miedecke works for the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in Queensland, Australia. She has two years of experience working in avocado and macadamia orchard systems research and is currently engaged in an Honours research project.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/a1a0e6c696df4cb6a2a68c144c02df04
Muhammad Moshiur Rahman-Australia	Better predicting the irregular bearing of avocado crops using sentinel 2 derived time series enhanced vegetation index	Production and productivity/Producción y productividad	Dr Moshiur Rahman is a Senior Researcher in Applied Agricultural Remote Sensing Centre, University of New England. His research fields include Satellite Image Processing, Machine Learning, Pattern recognition, Computer Modelling, and their applications to practical problems found in industrial automation, crop growth monitoring, yield prediction and overall precision agricultural technologies.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/2af3b5ce693b4bc687ba50a69d43cb88
Neena Mitter-Australia	Innovating avocado – Lab to orchard and beyond	Breeding and genomics/Crianza y genómica	Prof Mitter is Director, Centre for Horticultural Science and ARC Research Hub for Sustainable Crop Protection, University of Queensland. She has > 150 publications and graduated >20 PhD students. Is globally renowned for innovations such as ‘BioClay platform for crop protection’ and ‘Clonal propagation of avocado using plant stem cells.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/473f8fdccf074b4199e385297a011d3c
Nikki Ford-United States	The Science of Why Avocados are so Healthy	Nutrition for human health/Nutrición para la salud humana	Dr. Nikki Ford is the Senior Director of Nutrition at the Avocado Nutrition Center, the world’s only independent resource for comprehensive avocado nutrition research. Through the research and nutrition affairs programs, Dr. Ford is building the leading body of credible avocado nutrition health science.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/5187d6cb26fc4e2bacf739d61cc1d4a2
Noel Ainsworth-Australia	Improving domestic avocado quality to lift Australian consumer confidence	Post harvest/Postcosecha	Noel has worked in management, extension, research, and consulting roles in natural resource management, environment and agriculture. He has built extensive experience and networks in rural industries ranging from tree crops, to vegetables and wine. This is backed by formal training in the social sciences, management and plant physiology.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/a5d53785704f4171ac2ce3e57f541582
Oshry Markovich-Israel	Avocado (Persea americana) Rootstocks propagation Via Tissue culture	Agritech/Agrotecnología	Dr Markovich lead the R&D team of Rahan Meristem in the last 5 years. He is expert in plant genetics, molecular biology and tissue culture.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/51bde007fafa4e84908c34c81e214f96
Paul Pidakala-New Zealand	Effect of ethyl formate and phosphine fumigant as a disinfestation treatment on ‘Hass’ avocado fruit quality and target pest mortality	Diseases/Pestes	Paul Pidakala, Senior Research Associate in Postharvest Science provides high-level technical and research support to projects on a wide range of horticultural crops, which include avocados, apples, pears, kiwifruit and kiwiberry. He involved in research with a particular focus is on fruit maturity and storage life extension and fruit disorders.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/794426503753422eb93686c848859453
Peggy Mauk-United States	Field evaluation of five rootstocks developed by the rootstock breeding program at the University of California, Riverside (UCR).	Extension/Extensión	Professor of Extension/Director of UCR research stations, Mauk provides leadership in research and extension in disease detection, salinity tolerance, breeding in avocado, mitigation of HLB of citrus and enhancing production of date palms. Mauk received a Ph.D. (1988) in plant pathology from the University of Arizona.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/2c5ee486ac3c4dd4913dbc98c702399f
Philip Elmer-New Zealand	Field testing bio-fungicides for efficacy against postharvest rots in New Zealand ‘Hass’ avocados	Diseases/Pestes	Dr. Phil Elmer is Team Leader of the Biocontrol and Induced Resistance Team of Plant and Food Research – developing biologically-based solutions for New Zealand’s horticultural community. His team have successfully screened and commercialised 5 biocontrol products for the apple, grape and kiwifruit sectors and made a major contribution to reducing pesticide use through effective transfer of science for industry.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/1307fe1e26be4f2d83fdf844eebfdc65
Phillip West-New Zealand	Using data to refine best practice extension to New Zealand growers	Extension/Extensión	Phillip West is a Research Manager at NZ Avocado. Phillip champions research that benefits New Zealand growers and the extension of information to improve avocado production. Engagement with growers, researchers, and industry professionals is key to his role. Current research interests includes growing systems, resource efficiency, agritech and fruit quality.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/25e9f62b3a4b41b4a2dc4fbf5dd668c3
Puthiyaparambil Josekutty-Australia	Genotype independent in vitro cloning of avocado (Persea americana)	Breeding and genomics/Crianza y genómica	Dr Josekutty is an agriculture Biotechnologist and academic with 36 years’ work experience internationally (Australia, USA, New Zealand, Micronesia, South Africa and India). Jose uses in vitro breeding for horticulture crop improvement and combines molecular technologies to further speed up genetic improvement of horticulture crops. He is Research Manager with Skybury farms (www.skybury.com.au), Australia since 2017. He developed and managed Plant Tissue culture facilities of Flemings nursery (www.flemings.com.au) and Yuruga nursery (www.yuruga.com.au) before joining Skybury. Jose was an academic at Penn State University, USA from 2010-2012. Jose worked with Plant and Food Research, Lincoln (2005-2007) and New Zealand Forest Research (Scion research) from 2007-2010. Jose introduced agriculture biotechnology to Micronesia working with the USDA program in Micronesia (www.micronesialandgrant.org) from 1998-2005. He has been a lecturer at the Walter Sisulu University (www.wsu.ac.za), South Africa (1996-98); Scientist at MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (www.mssrf.org), India (1993-95) and Lecturer at MS University of Baroda (www.msubaroda.ac.in), India. Jose is a Current Director of International Plant Propagator’s Society, Australia (IPPS); and an Editor for Global Science Books, UK/ Japan. He is a member of ISHS and IAPB. He has 40 plus peer reviewed publications and is a reviewer for a few Peer reviewed journals.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/dce960ed16d84b29a817dcdd8499ac31

R-Z

Robert Valkenburg-New Zealand	Comparison of methods for rapid non-destructive and destructive measurement of dry matter, firmness, and rots in Hass Avocados	Processing/Procesamiento	Robert Valkenburg is the inspection science manager at TOMRA Fresh Food in Auckland. His current research is focused on internal and external inspection for fruit grading. Previously he worked at Callaghan Innovation on spatial sensing. He holds a PhD in Statistics on estimation theory and information inequalities.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/64ce0439e1c74ea9aa87c434a9f6be7a
Rodrigo Duarte-Peru	Micro-cloning as a nursery propagation technique for a global avocado industry.	Breeding and genomics/Crianza y genómica	Rodrigo Duarte did an internship with Allesbeste, that has led him to be an independent nursery and technical consultant for Allesbeste and its associated nurseries. Rodrigo is also a Maluma Agent for Latin America.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/8a66b424044d4c5b81c9bf66fe002832
Ryan Fink-United States	Unlocking ripeness and category growth through advanced imaging, machine learning and smarter sorting	Processing/Procesamiento	Ryan Fink is the Senior Vice President overseeing Apeel Sciences’s Americas business. In this role, he is responsible for integrating Apeel’s technology to create value for customers across the fresh food supply chain, focusing on the tropicals, tree fruit and citrus categories. Since joining Apeel in 2020, he leveraged his decade’s worth of experience within the avocado industry to address operational challenges and improve the financial and sustainability benefits for Apeel’s supply partners. He is motivated by the potential for Apeel’s plant-based protection and intelligence solutions to create a smarter and more sustainable supply chain. He received his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business and Management from California Polytechnic State University- San Luis Obispo, and his MBA from University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/852a6ad3181f4dd3bb59e14d24eb39f0
Sarah McLaren-New Zealand	Life cycle assessment and other methods to measure sustainability
Selina Wang-United States	Chemical compositions of avocado oil made from whole fruit and mesocarp and CODEX purity parameters	Processing/Procesamiento	Dr. Selina Wang is an Associate Professor at the Department of Food Science and Technology, UC Davis. Her research focuses are food quality and purity, processing, and sustainability. She provides education to academics and processors about raw material quality, shelf life, chemical changes during processing and storage, and byproducts upcycling.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/56f22d7bc32646f59a5e0d0e9fa7d93d
Shreyasi Majumdar-New Zealand	Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of New Zealand Avocados	Sustainability/Sustentabilidad	Shreyasi is a doctoral researcher at the New Zealand Life Cycle Management (NZLCM) Centre, Massey University. Her research looks into the potential of developing a life cycle-based environmental certification scheme for horticultural sectors of New Zealand, with special focus on the avocado sector.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/9499b67f5f8e4ba28c87edf03b7ae311
Stephanie Bazan-United States	Reimagining Shopper Marketing in the Produce Aisle	Market and/or country reports/Mercado y/o Informes de países	Stephanie leads the Shopper & Trade marketing areas for Avocados From Mexico (AFM). Under her leadership and strategic vision, AFM’s Shopper & Trade Marketing department has driven Mexican avocado demand and has accelerated the avocado category growth to reach record levels.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/e3324b494b4f465f8729348825776bca
Stephen Fletcher-Australia	A Chromosome Level Avocado Genome	Breeding and genomics/Crianza y genómica		https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/57a400ca0e48456a910b672e4df9c8bf
Tatiana Cantuarias-Avilés-Brazil	Yield and growth responses to different pruning strategies in high-density irrigated avocado orchards under subtropical growing conditions	Production and productivity/Producción y productividad	Dr. Tatiana Cantuarias-Avilés, agronomist, researcher and crop consultant in avocados, graduated in Chile, with M.Sc. from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Ph.D. and Pos Doctorate from the University of Sao Paulo. Currently supporting the local avocado industry by crop advisory and the conduction of research projects on cultural managements.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/998e3c7438a44f6c878391ba83e8a66e
Tatiana Cantuarias-Avilés-Brazil	Current agroclimatic aptitude of different regions of Brazil for ‘Hass’ avocado production	Production and productivity/Producción y productividad	Dr. Tatiana Cantuarias-Avilés, agronomist, researcher and crop consultant in avocados, graduated in Chile, with M.Sc. from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Ph.D. and Pos Doctorate from the University of Sao Paulo. Currently supporting the local avocado industry by crop advisory and the conduction of research projects on cultural managements.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/c373b085f71444c5b65f9a599392f00b
Tatiana Cantuarias-Avilés-Brazil	Strategies for reducing winter water stress in rainfed avocado orchards under changing climatic conditions in Southwestern São Paulo State	Production and productivity/Producción y productividad	Dr. Tatiana Cantuarias-Avilés, agronomist, researcher and crop consultant in avocados, graduated in Chile, with M.Sc. from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Ph.D. and Pos Doctorate from the University of Sao Paulo. Currently supporting the local avocado industry by crop advisory and the conduction of research projects on cultural managements.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/602123b1f1c8462eaeebad2f24207702
Thai Sade-Israel	Pollination of avocado orchards using Crossbee an artificial pollination solution	Agritech/Agrotecnología
Theo Bekker-South Africa	Westfalia launches two new co-owned avocado rootstocks from its breeding and selection program	Breeding and genomics/Crianza y genómica	IP manager for Westfalia Fruit	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/3e69e1399c474d8e9ba9da26b200328e
Therese Bruwer-South Africa	Screening of cultivars for pre-harvest orchard cold tolerance	Production and productivity/Producción y productividad	Therese Bruwer is a horticultural scientist within the Westfalia Fruit research team. She has been involved in subtropical fruit research for more than 20 years and holds a Masters degree in Horticultural Science (University of Pretoria, South Africa). She manages the avocado cultivar breeding and evaluation programme for Westfalia Fruit.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/2134a89b70be45c5b84a861b73e729ae
Therese Bruwer-South Africa	Productivity of ‘Hass’, ‘Carmen-Hass®’ and ‘Gem®’ using different plant spacings and manipulation techniques.	Production and productivity/Producción y productividad	Therese Bruwer is a horticultural scientist within the Westfalia Fruit research team. She has been involved in subtropical fruit research for more than 20 years and holds a Masters degree in Horticultural Science (University of Pretoria, South Africa). She manages the avocado cultivar breeding and evaluation programme for Westfalia Fruit.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/b8ed86c7deb74326a5e4bf6b11c6044a
Udi Gafni-Israel	Country Reports – Israel	Country reports/Informes de países	Head of the Professional committee of the avocado board in Israel
Yasmine Probst-Australia	Association with avocado consumption and cardiometabolic risk: analysis of the 2011–2012 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey.	Nutrition for human health/Nutrición para la salud humana	An Associate Professor and Associate Head of School Equity Diversity and Inclusion with the School of Medical Indigenous and Health Sciences, University of Wollongong . She holds dual Masters degrees in Dietetics and Health Informatics, is an Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian with Dietitians Australia and a Fellow of the AIDH.
Yonatan Maoz-Israel	Israeli Avocado orchards – a case study in IPM	Diseases/Pestes	Dr. Yonatan Maoz. Fruit orchard entomologist. Specialized in Avocado plant protection. Instructor of Israeli avocado growers on all plant protection matters. In addition, perform research and participate in studies and experiments regarding pests and diseases of Avocado in Israel.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/cf92d8cf181241c0a533c6465b58540f
Zander Ernst-South Africa	Breeding and selecting cultivars and rootstocks set for the future of the avocado industry.	Breeding and genomics/Crianza y genómica	Zander Ernst joined Allesbeste as a family member in 2009. Since 2009 Zander has been focusing and specialising on the production and marketing of avocados.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/f0b434c1993d471e89a486af87d2ce9e
Zander Ernst-South Africa	Successful commercial trellising of Avocado: a case study of ‘Maluma’.	Production and productivity/Producción y productividad	Zander Ernst joined Allesbeste in 2009 as part of the family. Since then Zander has been responsible for managing production and marketing.	https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-tcc-public/78ec0e901d464a769011a874558d34f6