Plant-Based Biotech & Cellular Agriculture

Plant-Based Biotech & Cellular Agriculture: The New Food Revolution

Join us over zoom for a panel discussion + Q&A to hear from our panel of industry experts who will share their insights.

Register in advance here: https://bit.ly/planttech

Food is technology. From breeding crops to growing vegetables to processing ingredients, most foods we consume are produced in a high-tech fashion. And there is a new innovative force on the horizon that has played more of a shadow role in the food industry: biotechnology. The scientific application of modifying animal and microbial cells is now directly landing on our plates. The promise: meat without slaughter, milk without cows, eggs without hens. A novel food industry that makes animal agriculture obsolete and offers more environmentally friendly, healthier, and compassionate products. It sounds like science fiction, but is it really happening? And how long will it take? Animal agriculture is one of the biggest contributors to climate change and environmental pollution. The COVID-19 pandemic and other viral outbreaks have been linked to animal markets and factory farming. On top of that, 80% of our antibiotics are used in animal agriculture and are driving the rise of multiple resistant pathogens that are a threat to human health. Will the new agricultural revolution be the solution we need? During this webinar, we will focus on the rising technologies that may pave the way.

Amy Huang is the University Innovation Specialist at The Good Food Institute, a non-profit think tank focused on accelerating alternative protein research and innovation. Amy helps lead GFI's efforts to discover and empower scientists and entrepreneurs in creating the latest innovations in alternative proteins. She is deeply passionate about helping universities become the powerhouses for alternative protein and has spoken at many of the top universities in the world. Amy has an A.B. in Economics and Global Health from Harvard University.

Patricia Bubner is a scientist and engineer with a diverse background in bioprocess engineering, agriculture and material science. She is the Co-Founder of Orbillion Bio, a cultivated meat startup. During her postdoc in biofuels research at UC Berkeley, she co-founded an agriculture and food systems project (themilletproject.org). The Millet Project’s goal is to diversify agriculture and our diet by cultivation and consumption of lesser-known grains such as millets. After her postdoc, Patricia gained valuable experience in the biopharma industry and is now bringing state-of-the-art technology and knowledge used in biopharma to cellular agriculture. Patricia is passionate about making the future of food a sustainable one, and using her skills as a biotech scientist and engineer in cellular agriculture.

Chris Bryson was the Founder and CEO of Unata (acquired in 2018 by Instacart), an eCommerce software provider for major grocery chains including HEB, Sprouts and others. He founded Unata in 2011 and grew it to ~100 employees, becoming the 52nd Fastest Growing North American Tech Company (PROFIT 500 2016), and Canada's #2 best small business workplace (Great Place to Work 2017). Currently, Chris is dedicating all his time and resources towards projects that address animal welfare and factory farming; he's a startup coach and angel investor for a series of alt-protein startups, the chairman of the Bryson Animal Aid Foundation, and is in the R&D stages for his next company, which he hopes will be in alt-seafood.

Raphael Roccor is currently finishing his PhD degree in Microbiology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC. His research interest is in designing microbes to transform waste materials into renewable chemicals that can replace petroleum or other unsustainable sources. During his studies, Raph co-founded a company to create new oils for the personal care industry that are usually derived from unsustainable palm oil. He also led the Vancouver Chapter of Startup Grind for one year and helped inspire and connect local entrepreneurs during monthly ‘fireside chat’ events. Raph ultimately aims to apply his skills in developing alternatives to animal-based products using biotechnology. He also sits on Factory Farming Awareness Coalition's Board of Directors.