Unlocking the Future of Food Systems: A Data-Driven Exploration of Affordability, Food Security, Agriculture, and Environmental Impacts

Presented by: Robin White, PhD

Food systems that meet the needs of both people and planet require balancing interconnected priorities including an adequate nutritious food supply, diet affordability, and minimal environmental impacts. Join us for an in-depth discussion exploring the complex relationships between agricultural systems, food security, environmental impacts, and food affordability. Robin White, PhD will use data analysis to examine how these priorities can be complementary or competitive and share arguments for agricultural systems change.

As a result of this presentation, attendees will:

  1. Describe linkages among agricultural systems, food security, environmental impacts, and diet affordability.
  2. Compare and contrast food systems designed for optimal food security, environmental impacts, or diet affordability.
  3. Evaluate support for arguments for agricultural systems change.

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Robin White, PhD

Robin is a native of Seattle, Washington, and obtained her B.S. and Ph.D. degrees at Washington State University under the guidance of Drs. Jude Capper and Kris Johnson. She then moved to Blacksburg, VA where she served in postdoctoral positions with National Animal Nutrition Program Modeling Committee and the USDA Experiential Learning Initiative, under the supervision of Dr. Mark Hanigan. White transitioned to faculty in the School of Animal Sciences at Virginia Tech in 2016, where she currently serves as Associate Professor of Animal Systems Management and Associate Director of the Center for Advanced Innovation in Agriculture. White’s work focuses at the animal/environment interface, seeking to improve sustainability of ruminant production systems. She engages in scholarship advancing global food security, empowering food system stakeholders through data-driven outreach, and preparing the next generation of scientists to harness technology and biology to explore the sustainable future of food. Her research focuses on: 1) mechanisms governing rumen fermentation efficiency; 2) models and technologies to enhance ruminant efficiency, health, and wellbeing; and 3) evaluating sustainability of animal-source foods in the global food ecosystem. In complement to this research, White teaches courses on animal nutrition and feeding, equine nutrition, ruminant nutrition, and precision livestock management technologies.

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