b'LUIS LUQUELuis Luque has always loved science, engi- passion for policy during school. I also neering and education. A microbiologistrealized that public policy directs research and chemical engineer by trade, Luquefrom a global level, and that regulation says he was regularly in the periphery ofenables the deployment of the innovations agriculture. His time as an undergradu- resulting from that research. Agriculture is ate focused on plant disease, and his PhDthe perfect sector to see this relationship.focused on converting agroindustrialNow, he uses his leadership skills to residues to biofuels.fight for growers and agribusinesses in We could say that agriculture wasCanada. What is he fighting against? The calling, and I may have taken some time tobiggest challenge he sees in agriculture answer, Luque, now manager of regula- is misinformation. Hed rather look at the tory affairs for plant biotechnology forpositive side of the challenge ahead.CropLife Canada, says.[It is a challenge, but] at the same In the last five years, Luque hastime, it is a great opportunity as I feel that answered the call: he now advocatesthere is a dire need to help fill in the knowl- agriculture more and give it consideration. domestically and internationally foredge gaps and educate the public on theIf you are interested in challenges in a science-based policy to ensure farmersbenefits these technologies bring fromrewarding space, agriculture is your place, and producers have access to the latestdifferent angles, such as socially, environ- he says. Every stream of knowledge is innovations.mentally and economically, Luque says.important, complex problems require I wanted to advocate for innovationFor young leaders who might takediversity for meaningful solutions. Yet, it is and the benefits it can bring to all of us,some time to answer the call to agricul- a space that requires patience as change Luque says, noting that he developed ature, Luque believes they should look intois not something that is overnight.HANNAH PHAMFor Hannah Pham, science was alwaysInarithen known as FL40, a Flagshiping tasks effectively, but she believes a likely option for her future career, soPioneering prototype companywithits more important to know the why it wasnt shocking when she went tothe goal of increasing sustainability ofbehind the task. school for biochemistry and molecularthe global food system by unlocking theWhats also important to me is biology. What was more surprisingatfull potential of seed. The rest, as theythat the team remembers that failure least to herwas her subsequent deci- say, is history.is an inevitable and vital component of sion to move into the seed industry.I really enjoy operating at the junc- working in science. Its not something Pham started her career workingtion between early science research andto be viewed negatively, but instead on mammalian cells with a focus ondeployment for product development,something to learn from and propel the leveraging gene editing tools to deliverPham, now science portfolio and plat- next experiment forward with a better targeted edits and gene expressionform manager of Inari, says. An interest- chance at success, Pham says. The changes. She says this wasing challenge is the gene editing field isbest way to stay motivated through the the perfect setupnot only constantly evolving, so many offailures is to constantly remind every-for an incrediblethese tools are evaluated and optimizedone of how their work impacts Inaris opportunityto work in mammalian cells. Ive fortu- broader missioneven if the path to get to joinnately been able to use my prior experi- there is not always what we originally ence to help Inari expand gene editingexpected.applications into plant science, movingOne fun fact about Pham? She loves us closer toward our goal of being abledogs, and her love of dogs even moved to make any edit to any crop anywhere. into her workspace. When it comes to keeping herMy 5-year-old yellow Labrador team motivated, Pham says she looksretriever is actually the namesake of one to ensure everyone understands theof Inaris proprietary gene editing tools impact of their work. The what andthat I helped to develop, she says. how are important pieces to complet-SEPTEMBER 2023 SEEDWORLD.COM /27'