The recently established Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Roger Beachy as its founding Executive Director and CEO effective January 1, 2013. World-renowned with a prolific body of scholarly research over his 40-year career, Beachy is internationally recognized for his groundbreaking research in food crops, production agriculture and the applications of biotechnology in agriculture, nutrition and human health.

“I was drawn to the vision of the new Institute and the spirit of innovation and collaboration that led to its creation,” Beachy said. “With Saskatchewan’s unique strengths in bio-science and agriculture, I am committed to helping GIFS take its place among the most exceptional in the world.”

Beachy will draw on his experience as founder of the world-class Danforth Plant Science Centre in Missouri, first Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and Chief Scientist of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to help launch the Institute onto the world stage. After the start-up phase, Beachy will remain actively involved in the Institute in a senior oversight capacity.

Beachy holds a Ph.D. in plant pathology from Michigan State University and a B.A. in biology from Goshen College in Goshen, Indiana.

About the Global Institute for Food Security

The Province of Saskatchewan, the University of Saskatchewan, and PotashCorp formally established the Global Institute for Food Security on December 10, 2012. With initial commitments of up to $35 million from PotashCorp and $15 million from the province over the next seven years, the institute will apply Saskatchewan’s unique resources, innovation and expertise to address the increasing global demand for safe, reliable food. Background information and video about the Institute is available for download at www.globalinstituteforfoodsecurity.org.