I’m trying to herd all the cats in this group. I’m excited about applying decision analysis approaches to agricultural research, in a wide range of contexts. I’m also keen on using science to prepare agricultural and especially horticultural systems for the impacts of climate change and for the necessary transition towards a resource-neutral future. I like trying to understand and model temperate fruit trees during their dormant period in winter. I’m passionate about exploring the potential contributions of agroforestry, the integration of trees and shrubs in agricultural systems, to resolving challenges to agricultural sustainability. Finally, I’m heavily invested in research for agricultural development, with research collaborations in Africa, Asia and South America.

Interests

  • Agroforestry
  • Horticulture
  • Agricultural Development
  • Agricutural Systems Research
  • Climate change adaptation and mitigation
  • Dormancy in temperate fruit trees
  • Ecological modeling
  • Decision analysis

Education

  • Senior Scientist - Decision Analysis, 2013 - 2018
    World Agroforestry Centre, Nairobi, Kenya

  • Senior Scientist (seconded from World Agroforestry Centre), 2014 - 2018
    Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn, Germany

  • Climate Change Scientist, 2010 - 2013
    World Agroforestry Centre, Nairobi, Kenya

  • Postdoctoral Scholar, 2008 - 2009
    Department of Plant Sciences, University of California at Davis, USA

  • Postdoctoral Scholar, 2008 - 2008
    Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California at Davis, USA

  • PhD in Agricultural Sciences, 2007
    University of Kassel, Germany

  • MSc in International Agricultural Development, 2005
    University of California at Davis, USA

  • MSc in International Ecological Agriculture], 2007
    University of Kassel, Germany

  • Diplom I in Organic Agriculture, 2007
    University of Kassel, Germany