Director - Fertilizer Innovation Center

About IFDC

IFDC is a public international organization active in 27 countries in Africa, Asia, and America. IFDC uniquely approaches the global issues of food security and poverty by bridging the gap between research and impact, combining science-based innovations, holistic market systems development, an enabling policy environment, and strategic partnerships to assist farmers and countries to identify and scale sustainable agricultural solutions, including improved nutrient use efficiency.

These approaches are needed to boost soil health and crop productivity while reducing the environmental impact of fertilizer use. IFDC translates research into action by using locally driven, environmentally sound, and impact-oriented solutions. With our partners, we seek to close the yield gap, eradicate global hunger, safeguard the soil on which our lives depend, and generate economic resilience for farming households and the countries in which they live.

IFDC is a public international organization active in 27 countries in Africa, Asia, and America. IFDC uniquely approaches the global issues of food security and poverty by bridging the gap between research and impact, combining science-based innovations, holistic market systems development, an enabling policy environment, and strategic partnerships to assist farmers and countries to identify and scale sustainable agricultural solutions, including improved nutrient use efficiency.

These approaches are needed to boost soil health and crop productivity while reducing the environmental impact of fertilizer use. IFDC translates research into action by using locally driven, environmentally sound, and impact-oriented solutions. With our partners, we seek to close the yield gap, eradicate global hunger, safeguard the soil on which our lives depend, and generate economic resilience for farming households and the countries in which they live.

• Strategic Leadership
• Provide vision and leadership in establishing LIFe-US as the premier U.S. center for fertilizer innovation;
• Align research and innovation priorities with U.S. national food security, environmental, and economic growth agendas;
• Foster multi-disciplinary collaboration among academia, industry, policymakers, and farmers.
• Scientific and Technical Leadership
• Manage LIFe-US multidisciplinary research staff, provide advice and relevant guidance and information, and ensure that the institutional priorities are clear and understood;
• Oversee cutting-edge R&D in enhanced-efficiency fertilizers (EEFs), bio stimulants, AI-driven nutrient management, soil health, and circular economy solutions;
• Ensure excellence in laboratory infrastructure, research methodologies, and compliance with safety and environmental standards;
• Contribute to the development of LIFe’s MELs framework and monitor research performance within the framework of the Institute’s new strategic plan to enhance the effectiveness and competitiveness of the R&D endeavors of IFDC;
• Lead and support institutional staff in developing and publishing quality peer-reviewed journal articles, manuscripts and other technical publications to enhance IFDC’s scientific credibility.
• Partnerships and Resource Mobilization
• Build and manage partnerships with U.S. universities, USDA, industry leaders, farmer organizations, and philanthropic foundations;
• Mobilize financial and technical resources through federal, state, private sector, and philanthropic channels;
• Represent LIFe-US and IFDC in national and international forums on fertilizer innovation and sustainable agriculture.
• Policy, Outreach, and Advocacy
• Provide evidence-based policy recommendations to improve the fertilizer industry ecosystem and farmer profitability;
• Contribute to national and state-level policy dialogues on fertilizer innovation, soil health, and sustainability;
• Promote LIFe-US as a trusted platform linking science, policy, and markets.
• Institutional Management
• Lead and manage a multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and administrative staff;
• Develop and monitor annual work plans, budgets, and performance indicators;
• Compile and finalize periodic research reports for submission to donors, IFDC…