Mac Alum Appointed Deputy Director General-Research at the International Crops Research Institute

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has announced their appointment of Dr. Stanford Blade (PhD(AgEnvSc)'91) as Deputy Director General-Research. Dr. Blade holds a Ph.D. from McGill University for plant breeding/cropping systems research, conducted at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and supported by a Government of Canada Doctoral Scholarship.

Dr. Blade has an extensive background in agricultural research and brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this leadership position. Prior to joining ICRISAT, Dr Blade served as the Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences (ALES) at the University of Alberta, Canada. He has also served as the Deputy Director General-Research for the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and as Vice-Chair on the Board of Trustees of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation, a Nairobi-based agency supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. His global recognition in the field of agriculture was underscored in 2018 when he was named an International Fellow of the Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry.

"I am honored to join ICRISAT and work alongside a team of dedicated professionals committed to advancing agricultural research for the benefit of smallholder farmers. I look forward to contributing to the institute's mission of enhancing food security, improving livelihoods, and sustaining natural resources in the semi-arid tropics," said Dr. Blade.

Dr. Blade will officially assume his role as Deputy Director General-Research at ICRISAT on 1 April 2024. ICRISAT looks forward to the positive impact his leadership will have on the institute's research initiatives and global contributions to sustainable agriculture.