Meet Our Team

Dr. Murat Kacira, Director of the Controlled Environment Agriculture Center, and Professor in the Department of Biosystems Engineering, the University of Arizona.

Murat is the chair of Division of Precision Horticulture and Engineering of the International Society for Horticultural Science. His primary focus is on resource use efficiency of systems through integrated crop and production system sensing, monitoring, alternative energy and environmental control applications, where the UA Farm-University of Arizona Urban Agriculture Vertical Farming Facility, is an integral part of his research programs on indoor agriculture. He interacts with stake holders through technical consultations, organizing and presenting in crop production and engineering short courses with hands-on educational workshops and grower conferences, and presenting at national and international conferences.

More information about Murat:

https://be.arizona.edu/person/murat-kacira

https://ceac.arizona.edu/

https://be.arizona.edu/content/controlled-environment-agriculture/uag-vertical-farm

Dr. Chieri Kubota, Professor/Extension Specialist of CEA, Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, The Ohio State University.

Chieri interacts regularly with stakeholders to identify and address issues in CEA crop production such as lighting technologies, improving flavor of leafy greens, and introducing new crops for CEA. With a training background in both horticulture and engineering, Chieri takes multidisciplinary approaches to solve problems in CEA, and trains professionals through online courses, hands-on training, and consultations. She also regularly communicates with stakeholders through social media (e.g. Facebook), webinars, science cafes, and presentations at grower conferences.

More information about Chieri:

https://hcs.osu.edu/our-people/dr-chieri-kubota

https://u.osu.edu/cepptlab/

https://www.facebook.com/CEPPTLAB

Dr. Cary Mitchell, Professor, Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Purdue University.

Cary’s research has emphasized whole-plant environmental approaches to solving practical problems in CEA industries. He has served as a program scientist for NASA, Center Director for two NASA Specialized Centers of Research and Training in bioregenerative and advanced life support, and as PD of the SCRI project “Developing LED lighting technology and practices for sustainable specialty-crop production” from 2010 to 2015.

More information about Cary:

https://ag.purdue.edu/hla/Pages/Profile.aspx?strAlias=cmitchel&intDirDeptID=16

Dr. Erik Runkle [OPTIMIA Project Director], Professor and Extension Specialist, Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University. 

My research group focuses on the environmental physiology of herbaceous specialty plants grown in greenhouses and indoor farms. In particular, we are investigating how environmental factors, especially light quality, light quality, and temperature influence growth and development of annual bedding plants, herbaceous perennials, leafy greens, and potted flowering plants. The underlying objective of this research is to improve the efficiency and/or quality of high-value specialty crops production.

More information about Erik:

https://www.canr.msu.edu/people/dr_erik_runkle

Dr. Simone Valle de Souza, Assistant Professor, Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University.

Simone completed a Masters in Economic Studies and a Ph.D. in Resource Economics at the University of New England in Australia, and an MBA in Finance and Accounting and a Bachelor in Business Administration at the Federal University of Parana, Brazil. Simone’s work focuses on sustainable use of resources, optimization models, economic impact, and policy analysis.

More information about Simone:

https://www.canr.msu.edu/people/simone_valle_de_souza

Dr. H. Christopher Peterson is Emeritus Professor and Homer Nowlin Chair of Consumer-Responsive Agriculture, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics, Michigan State University.

Chris conducts research in agri-food entrepreneurship, emergence of innovative products/sectors, and sustainability. He was on the international advisory board (2005-2010) of the Dutch public-private partnership Trans Forum (with projects related to CEA), and works with entrepreneurs/stakeholders to develop CEA ventures. Chris is former Director of the MSU Product Center Food-Ag-Bio,and during his 13 years of leadership, helped launch nearly 550 ventures with over $370 million of investment.

More information about Chris:

https://www.canr.msu.edu/people/christopher_peterson