KAUST Research Conference:
FUTURE FOOD SYSTEMS
Challenges and Opportunities
The event is organized in partnership with the PlantACT! Initiative
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE
We are on a trajectory to reach a temperature increase of 3.5 degrees Celsius by the end of this century, with catastrophic consequences, as each degree Celsius corresponds to a reduction in crop yields of about 10%, meaning that we would lose a third of food and feed production by 2100. Because agriculture is both a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and a victim of climate change, plant science solutions are at the heart of the problem. However, a global strategy to respond to this challenge is lacking. This is why several members of the scientific community have come together to create the PlantACT! initiative. To consolidate the strategic plan that we recently developed, and to integrate ideas from other disciplines, a conference is organized on the topic of “Future Food Systems” from 13-15 April 2026 at KAUST, Thuwal, KSA. Key topics in ecology of marine and terrestrial systems as well as current and future strategies for sustainable food production will be covered by a number of high profile international speakers. Round tables with local and foreign experts will discuss the challenges and opportunities of developing the food systems of the future.
AGENDA
09:00am - 09:15 am
Session 1. The global perspective
09:15 am - 09:50 am
09:50 am - 10:25 am
10:25 am - 10:40 am
10:40 am - 11:1o am·
11:10 am - 11:25 am
11:25 am - 11:40 am
11:40 am - 12:15 pm
12:15 am - 13:30 pm
Session 2. Terrestrial and Marine Systems
13:30 pm - 14:05 pm
14:05 pm - 14:40 pm
14:40 pm - 14:55 pm
14:55 pm - 15:25 pm
15:25 pm - 15:40 pm
15:40 pm - 15:55 pm
15:55 pm - 16:30 pm
16:30 pm - 17:00 pm
17:00 pm - 18:30 pm
18:30 pm
Session 3. Food System Challenges
09:00 am - 09:35 am
09:35 am - 10:10 am
10:10 am - 10:25 am
10:25 am - 10:55 am
10:55 am - 11:10 am
11:10 am - 11:25 am
11:25 am - 12:00 pm
12:05 pm - 13:30 pm
Session 4. Food System and Science Solutions
13:30 pm - 14:05 pm
14:05 pm -14:40 pm
14:40 pm - 15:00 pm
15:00 pm - 15:15 pm
15:15 pm - 15:45 pm
15:45 pm - 16:00 pm
16:00 pm - 16:15 pm
16:15 pm - 16:50 pm
16:50 pm - 17:20 pm
17:20 pm - 18:50 pm
18:50 pm
Session 5. Future Food Systems Perspectives
09:00 am - 09:35 am
09:35 am - 10:10 am
10:10 am - 10:25 am
10:25 am - 10:55 am
10:55 am - 11:10 am
11:10 am - 11:25 pm
11:25 am - 12:00 pm
12:00 pm - 13:30 pm
Satellite Session: Nature-based Carbon Sequestration Technologies
13:30 pm - 14:05 pm
14:05 pm -14:40 pm
14:40 pm - 14:55 pm
14:55 pm - 15:10 pm
15:10 pm - 15:45 pm
15:45 pm - 16:00 pm
SPEAKERS
Prof. Heribert Hirt
Professor Plant Science,
Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division
Prof. Mark Tester
Professor Plant Science,
Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division
Prof. Carlos Duarte
Ibn Sina Distinguished Professor Marine Science,
Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division
Biography:
Claudia Ringler is Director, Natural Resources and Resilience at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). A thought leader on water for food, she has close to 30 years of experience in conducting research on the intersection of water, food and ecosystem health, in partnership with collaborators from Africa, Asia and Latin America. In 2021, she was awarded honorary life memberships by both the International Water Resources Association and the International Association of Agricultural Economics for her lifelong contributions to the fields of water resources economics and agricultural economics, respectively. Dr. Ringler has a PhD in agricultural sciences (economics) from the Centre for Development Research, University of Bonn, and an MA in International Development Economics from Yale University.
Biography:
Dr Susan Chomba is the Director of Vital Landscapes at the World Resources Institute (WRI). She leads WRI Africa’s work on forest protection and landscape restoration, food systems transformation and water. She is a scientist with extensive research and development experience on the continent for more than 15 years. Susan is a member of the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food), and a global ambassador for the Race to zero and Resilience under the UN High Level Champions for Climate
Action. She serves on advisory boards of several organizations and has received several global recognitions, including being named as one of Global Landscapes Forum’s ‘16 Women Restoring the Earth’ in 2021; one of the top 25 women shaping climate action by Greenbiz in 2022, as well as BBC 100 Women in 2023.
Prof Harro Boumeester
(Amsterdam Univ., NL)
Biography:
Caroline Gutjahr is a director of the Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology in Potsdam, Germany, where she heads the Department of Root Biology and Symbiosis. Previously she was Professor of Plant Genetics at the Technical University of Munich and before that an independent Emmy Noether group leader at the LMU Munich. She gained her PhD at the University of Lausanne in the laboratory of Uta Paszkowski and studied Biology at the University of Freiburg. Her research group aims at understanding the development and function of arbuscular mycorrhiza, a symbiosis between land plants and beneficial fungi. The research of her team focuses in particular on the regulation of nutrient exchange, the role of plant hormones and transcriptional networks in physiological, molecular and plant cell developmental changes required to accommodate arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi inside the root and to adjust symbiosis development with environmental conditions and the resulting physiological needs of the plant. As the fungi can enhance nutrition and increase stress resistance of plantsthere is increasing interest in the use of the fungi in sustainable agricultural practices. Therefore,
the Gutjahr lab also investigates the genetic underpinnings of fungus mediated improvement of plantperformance with the aim to enable breeding of mycorrhiza-optimized crops.
Biography:
Jonathan Jones investigates plant immunity to disease. His team isolated and characterized many resistance (R) genes that encode plant immune receptors and revealed key insights into immune receptor mechanisms. He pioneered genomics methods to accelerate R gene cloning and the analysis of plant immune receptor diversity and is a strong advocate for using
immune receptor genes from wild relatives rather than agrochemicals for crop
protection. After a postdoc on symbiotic nitrogen fixation (1981-2), he worked at start-up agbiotech company AGS in Oakland, CA. Since 1988, he has worked at Sainsbury Laboratory, Norwich UK, He was elected EMBO
(1998), FRS (2003), US NAS (2015) ISMPMI outstanding achievement (https://www.ismpmi.org/members/Awards/Pages/2023-Awardees.aspx) and Wolf Prize for agriculture (2025).
Biography:
Jan de Vries is Professor of Applied Bioinformatics at the University of Göttingen. After earning his PhD from Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf in 2016, conducting research on plastid evolution and functional genomics, he carried out his postdoctoral work at Dalhousie University on a DFG Research Fellowship from 2016 to 2019. In Autumn 2019, he joined Göttingen as junior professor and became tenured professor with start of 2022. His research
integrates evolutionary genomics, plant biology, and systems-level analyses to uncover the molecular foundations of plant terrestrialization, stress adaptation, and plastid innovation. He is the recipient of major competitive
funding, including an ERC Starting Grant (“TerreStriAL”) and multiple DFG
projects, and serves as Spokesperson of the Priority Programme “MAdLand.” His has leadership roles on the boards of IMPRS Genome Science, the Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, and the M.Sc. programme in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics. He published 102 papers and is an active reviewer for leading journals and funding agencies.
Biography:
Corné Pieterse is a Distinguished Professor in the Faculty of Science at Utrecht University, where he serves as Chair of the Plant-Microbe Interactions group and Scientific Director of the Institute of Environmental Biology. He studied Plant Breeding and Plant Molecular Biology at the Wageningen University where he graduated in 1988. Subsequently, he performed his PhD research in Wageningen on the molecular basis of pathogenicity of the potato late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans. After obtaining his PhD degree in 1993, he moved to Utrecht University where he was appointed full professor in 2004. His research group investigates how the plant immune system protects plants against microbial pathogens, and how beneficial microbes in the root microbiome stimulate plant growth and immunity. Current research in his group is focused on discovery of plant-beneficial functions that are encoded by the root microbiome and the role of plant genes and metabolites that aid in maximizing profitable plant growth and health functions from the root microbiome. With his research he aims to contribute to grand societal challenges, such as food security and sustainable agriculture. Since 2014 he is an ISI Highly Cited Researcher (World’s top 1% in the field). In 2022, Pieterse and his team received the Spinoza Prize, the highest award in Dutch Academia. In recognition of his contributions to the field, he was elected member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Sciences and EMBO.
Biography:
Abdulaziz Al-Harbi is a Professor of Horticulture at the College of Agriculture, King Saud University. His research primarily focuses on greenhouses, hydroponics, sustainability, and food security. Prof. Al-Harbi has been a member of the agricultural committees and has contributed to food security initiatives in the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce for over 12 years. Additionally, Prof. Al-Harbi played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Development Center (ESTIDAMAH). He has also served as a consultant for both government and private companies, specializing in new technology and innovation in protected cultivation.
Currently He works as part time professor In King Saud University, Liaison of Dutch horticulture in KSA and part time RDI consultant in MEWA.
Biography:
Professor Ülo Niinemets is Head of the Department of Crop Science and Plant Biology at the Estonian University of Life Sciences and member of the Estonian Academy of Sciences. He has got BSc, MSc, and PhD from the University of Tartu, Estonia and carried out research in more than 20 countries including postdoctoral positions at University of Bayreuth, Germany, University of Antwerp, Belgium and Centro di Ecologia Alpina, Italy, and professor positions at Canterbury University, New Zealand (Erskine fellow, 2002), University of Hawaii, USA (G. P. Wilder Chair, 2006-2007), Utrecht University, The Netherlands (F. C. Donders Chair, 2007), Zhejian A&F University, China (2019-2022), King Saud University, Saudi Arabia (2023-2025) and Tohoko University, Japan (2021-2027). His main research interests are novel crops for future climates, response and acclimation to environmental stresses of crops and wild plants and quantification and predictive modelling of plant carbon gain and trace gas exchange from leaf to ecosystems, landscapes and biomes under globally changing climates. He has collaborated with more than 1500 scientists and has co-authored more than 500 peer-reviewed articles in leading scientific journals. His studies have been cited by more than 80000 times (H-index =134, GS). He serves the community as an editor or editorial board member of six international journals.
Pro Rod A. Wing
(Univ. of Arizona, USA)
Biography:
Dr Ndjido Ardo KANE is a distinguished plant geneticist with a robust academic and professional background in agricultural research and innovation. He holds a degree in plant genetics from the Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles (ISRA), where he cultivated a deep understanding of crop diversity and genetic resources essential for sustainable agriculture. Currently, Dr Kane serves as the Director of the Regional Center of Excellence on Dryland Cropping Systems (CERAAS), where he leads initiatives aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and resilience in arid and semi-arid regions. This center focuses on developing and Dr implementing advanced breeding techniques, promoting sustainable farming practices, and addressing the challenges posed by climate change to ensure food security and improved
livelihoods for local communities. Dr Kane implemented successful strategies to elevate the Regional Center of Excellence as lead in the NARS and international agri-research sphere. His extensive expertise in management includes implementing strategies for self-reliance and sustainability, as well as mobilizing resources and fostering partnerships across various sectors.
Dr Kane is dedicated to creating synergies among stakeholders, enabling collaborative efforts that drive impactful agricultural solutions, and pledges for the collaboration to foster knowledge exchange. His contributions have been pivotal in advancing scientific understanding and promoting the adoption of effective agricultural practices across the region. A passionate
advocate for sustainable development, Dr Kane continues to inspire the next generation of agricultural scientists and practitioners through mentorship and outreach programs aimed at fostering a deeper appreciation for plant genetics and its critical role in global food systems.
Biography:
Senior Research Scientist in the Center for desert Agriculture at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, KSA
Team Coordinator, DARWIN21, KAUST, Thuwal, KSA .
As a molecular biologist, I have a deep interest in the adaptation of microbes to their hosts. I am fascinated by the bacteria and their mechanisms to interact with plants and modulate the plant immune system. I believe that basic and applied research on microbes will resolve upcoming challenges in areas such as medicine and agriculture, and I am working at my best to contribute a share to these aims.
The DARWIN21 project aims to provide sustainable solutions to re-establish agriculture in arid regions or under extreme environmental conditions. By creating a global knowledge base of desert rhizosphere microbes associated with pioneer plants that live under extreme heat, drought and/or salt conditions, new strategies may be developed to replant desert areas and transform deserts into sustainable agricultural systems. Dr. Saad’s research focuses on developing different biological solutions to mitigate constraints such as soil health, low yield, abiotic, biotic stresses and nutrient assimilation in agricultural production in Arid and semi-arid ecosystems.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
To help you prepare for your upcoming visit, we encourage you to review the key information and travel advice below.
Before travelling, please check the latest travel guidelines from your country’s embassy and consult your primary care provider about vaccinations or other health preparations.
King Abdullah University of Science & Technology
4700 King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
Thuwal 23955-6900
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
We cannot accept responsibility for visa applications. If a delegate is unable to attend due to visa issues, our usual cancellation policy will apply. We recommend obtaining travel insurance for the duration of your visit.
GCC citizens
Do not need a visa. Passport must be valid for at least six months after your planned entry date.
eVisa
Available to many countries in Europe, North America, Oceania, and parts of Asia.
By plane
Fly into King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah (approx. 1-hour drive).
- Email: HancoTransport@kaust.edu.sa, Tel: 012 808 5647
- Email: saptco.taxi@kaust.edu.sa, Tel: 012 808 5616
By car
Use the KAUST Visitor Center Parking with prior approval
Without car access, use Visitor Centre (Gate 1).
*Note that Uber does not operate within KAUST campus, but can drop you off at the entrance gate.
Delegates are responsible for booking and paying for their accommodation. Recommended hotels:
Al Khozama Hotel Al Khozama Hotel & Residences
Boulevard, 7729 Bayt Al Hikma Blvd, Thuwal
5-min walk from KAUST
- Dress code: Conservative. Business or business casual. No abaya/headscarf required.
- Language: Arabic (official); English widely spoken.
- Weather: Around 35°C. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a light jumper for indoors.
- Currency: Saudi Riyal (SAR). Credit cards widely accepted. ATMs available.
- Power sockets: Type G & C, 230V / 60Hz. Bring a universal adapter.
- Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi across KAUST campus.
- Water: Safe to drink from fountains. Tap water not recommended.
- Alcohol: Strictly prohibited.
More travel info: Visit Saudi
- Keep valuables out of sight
- Use reliable transport
- Travel with others, especially at night
- Stay alert in crowded public areas
- Shield your PIN when using ATMs
Emergency services: If you are within the KAUST campus and are in need of emergency services, call 911. For a full list of emergency numbers, visit this link HERE.
KAUST Centers of Excellence
KAUST Launches Four Pioneering Centers of Excellence to Address Key National and International Priorities
KAUST CORE LABS
KAUST hosts a wide range of sophisticated instruments and world-class facilities that students can access, including the Prototyping and Product Development Core Lab, and laboratories involving robotics and embedded systems, sensors, intelligent autonomous systems and biotechnology. Specific labs will be identified based on the curriculum and individual projects.
A NEW ERA FOR KAUST
Our unrelenting commitment to research, innovation and talent has seen KAUST establish itself as one of the leading research universities in the world, ranking #1 for citations per faculty globally, with a reputation for impact-driven research that contributes to the betterment of the world. This new era of KAUST builds on our many successes, achievements and strong foundations, and our new strategy represents an evolution that brings us closer to the interests of the Kingdom.
CONTACT US
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
4700 King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
Thuwal 23955-6900
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Follow us on Social media: