Driving innovation through uncommon collaboration
OUR VISION
To accelerate deployment of products or processes that enable safe, sustainable and secure nutrition for all.
OUR MISSION
To catalyze and support uncommon collaborations that address global nutritional challenges.
Who we are…
IIFH is a premiere innovation institute at UC Davis focused on developing and deploying breakthrough solutions to global issues across the food system. Our research and funding network spans faculty and students from a myriad of academic disciplines, and strategic industry, finance and technology partners.
What we do…
IIFH nurtures and accelerates innovation through industry-academic collaborations and experiential learning programs. Focused on tackling the most pressing food system challenges, IIFH harnesses strategic partnerships, provides research funding and hosts convening events at the interface of food, ag and health.
How we do it…
By bridging the gap between sectors and disciplines, IIFH advances new technologies, products and processes along the entire innovation continuum, from research to commercialization. Our Request For Innovation (RFI) funding call, Innovator Fellowships and evolving strategic programs work to extend ideas beyond proof‐of‐concept to scalable application and impact.
Justin B. Siegel
As a UC Davis Associate Professor in Chemistry, Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Dr. Siegel’s scientific focus is the design and discovery of enzymes relevant to issues in modern society – from treating Celiac disease to optimizing biofuel production and food system sustainability. As the IIFH Faculty Director, he works with academic and industry groups in building a vibrant translational research ecosystem across the food sector.
Kyeema L. Zerbe
With a passion for developing and deploying innovation at scale across natural resource management, health care, agriculture and food systems, Ms. Zerbe integrates academic and industry approaches into operational success. As the IIFH Associate Director, she builds on fifteen years of international innovation management with industry sectors, governments, investors and academies to design interdisciplinary programs that advance innovation across the food system.
Elizabeth Wagstaff
Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Clinical Nutrition from UC Davis, and before joining IIFH, she has worked for the UC Davis Human Resources Department and served as a Reproductive Health Educator at a local clinic. Elizabeth is excited to continue her work with the campus by assisting IIFH’s internal and external innovation programming.
Sarah Stewart
With a keen entrepreneurial instinct, Sarah draws on myriad expertise in business, education and event management to support IIFH innovator fellows in their experiential education. As a former flavor consultant, sous chef and business owner, Sarah understands the journey from ideation to commercialization. With a background in food system production, processing and preservation, she has explored broad facets of the supply chain and consumer landscape, and brings that insight to IIFH’s entrepreneurial training.
Marissa Pickard
Driven to manage and develop impactful communication campaigns, Marissa draws on a diverse background in strategic communication, brand management and graphic design for local and statewide organizations. Through innovative approaches to design, marketing, social media, web and events, Marissa creatively explores IIFH’s unique place among uncommon collaborators from academia, government, non-profits, industry and investors.
Nealah Lee
Nealah holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Design from UC Davis, with minors in Nutrition Science and Technology Management. Prior to joining the IIFH, Nealah worked as a Student Assistant for the UC Davis Registrar’s Office and as a Marketing Director for HackDavis. Her experience and passion drive exploration of the role for technology and design in the future global food system.
