Agri-EPI has today, Wednesday, September 29, announced the appointment of its new chief technical officer, Dr. Trish Toop.

Dr. Toop is an expert in sustainable systems development with a passion for transforming agricultural systems through the use of technology.

Starting out in the automotive engineering sector, Dr. Toop went on to complete a degree in genetics and biochemistry. After winning a national competition which funded an interdisciplinary PhD in engineering and biochemistry, the focus of her work has been on the development of novel sustainable products and processes in the agri-food and agri-tech sectors.

Trisha has worked with companies of all sizes across these sectors, assisting them with innovation and facilitating cutting-edge research with a global impact. She has worked as a research scientist, sustainability and techno-economic analysis expert and innovation manager for a number of companies.

She joins the company from Harper Adams University and will commence work in her new role on October 1.

Commenting on her appointment, Agri-EPI Centre chief executive, Dave Ross, said: “We are very much looking forward welcoming Trisha to Agri-EPI.

“Trisha brings a wealth of knowledge and experience which we know will help to shape and deliver our priorities during this pivotal time for us, and for the agri-food industry.”

Dr. Toop added:

“I am really excited to be taking up my new position with Agri-EPI. This is a time where agriculture faces the greatest change since the first agricultural revolution and the development of technology is key.

To be able to work with centre members to develop and implement the game changing technology needed is a great opportunity.”

Agri-EPI’s outgoing chief technical officer, Dr. Shamal Mohammed, has taken up a new position as agri-tech director with Silal, an organisation supporting food security in the United Arab Emirates.

Agri-EPI

The Agricultural Engineering Precision Innovation Centre (Agri-EPI Centre) is funded as part of the UK Government’s Agri-Tech Strategy an is one of four Agri-Tech Centres working to bridge the gap between industry and academia across the agri-food sector in the UK and globally.