Driving innovation through uncommon collaboration
OUR VISION
To accelerate deployment of products or processes that enable safe, sustainable and secure nutrition accessible to 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.
Antoine Abrieux
As a scientist with 10 years of research experience, Dr. Abrieux developed an expertise in insect physiology, molecular biology and genetics to tackle problems related to crop production sustainability and food security by translating basic research into applied solutions. With a profound interest for the development of innovative approaches in biotechnology he is now using his scientific skillset to position IIFH at the center of meaningful and engaging conversations at the nexus of food and health.
Mary Avilla
Having led technology, finance and healthcare teams in large corporations, small-businesses, start-ups and private equity groups for more than 15 years, Mary is well-poised to manage IIFH administrative systems, as well as provide operational support to the team. Mary’s experience and passion allow her to uniquely align IIFH processes into actionable outputs that support uncommon collaborations to address global nutritional challenges.
Veronica Keys
Veronica draws on diverse experience organizing and hosting regional events and outreach to provide management support for complex institute initiatives. Her administrative strengths facilitate the strategic engagements and face-paced schedule of the Faculty Director, and his team of research scientists. Previously on campus, Veronica worked with the Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, Continuing & Professional Education, and the Davis Humanities Institute.
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.
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.
