We are pleased to announce that Achim Dobermann, the Director of Rothamsted Research, will be visiting the University.

Professor Dobermann will be giving a talk outlining Rothamsted's mission and research strategy/priorities. This is a fantastic opportunity to explore ways in which the University can further our links with Rothamsted and anyone with an interest in plant science, soil science and sustainable agriculture is encouraged to attend.

This lecture is free to attend and all are welcome.

Biography

Professor Dobermann is a soil scientist and agronomist with 25 years’ work experience in all world regions. He is recognized internationally as an authority on science and technology for food security and sustainable management of the world’s major cereal cropping systems. After studying for a PhD in Soil Science at the Institute of Tropical Agriculture of the University of Leipzig, Professor Dobermann joined IRRI as a soil and plant nutrition specialist in 1992. His expertise and passion for the subject quickly established him as a team leader for soil and water sciences. In 2000, he joined the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture at the University of Nebraska as Associate Professor and later full Professor in Soil Science and Nutrient Management. He re-joined IRRI in 2007 to lead its largest interdisciplinary research programme, focusing on developing environmentally sustainable rice-based agricultural systems. His rapid success led him to becoming Deputy Director General for Research in 2008.

Professor Dobermann has enjoyed a long and distinguished career with numerous high impact scientific publications and is currently an editor of the Global Food Security journal. He has chaired and participated in numerous international scientific committees and expert groups and is currently a member of the Leadership Council and co-chair of the Thematic Group on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, a new initiative for the United Nations to support the post-2015 sustainable development process.

Working at IRRI his work has had a major impact in rice growing countries of Asia and other parts of the world. During 2009-2010 he coordinated the development of a new global program for rice research, the Global Rice Science Partnership and served as their first Director.