Program

The Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST) has decided to hold its annual end-of-year networking function in conjunction with TropAg2017.

AIFST is the national voice and network for Australia’s food industry professionals and represents thousands of food industry professionals working in all facets of the food industry including food science, food technology, engineering, sensory, new product development, innovation, regulatory, QA, nutrition, microbiology and food safety, as well as those in leadership positions within the academic, industry and private sectors.

AIFST members and TropAg2017 delegates are invited to the QLD end-of-year Networking Function.

It is an ideal opportunity to catch up, or get to know colleagues from across the food sector. International delegates are especially encouraged to join the event and make global connections.

AIFST is offering members prices to TropAg2017 delegates, simply use the code QLDXMAS17.

Attendees are invited to continue on to the Food Evolution screening (separate registration is essential).

This premier networking opportunity is presented by the University of the Sunshine Coast to bring together a diverse mix of early and mid-career researchers to give them the chance to ask questions and get to know senior professionals in agricultural research and international development.

The event will include a series of short presentations from a selection of TropAg2017 conference delegates, a speed meet networking session, and an informal networking session with drinks and canapés.

Speakers:
• Judith Kimiywe, Senior Research Fellow, Kenyatta University
• Peter Horne, Country Program Manager, The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)
• Erin Wilkus, Research Officer, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI)
• Jack Koci, PhD Candidate, Researchers in Agriculture for International Development (RAID)

This event has been organised by the RAID Network and QAAFI. For enquiries, please contact Hannah Hardy, h.hardy@uq.edu.au.

The Food Evolution movie explores the complexity of cultural attitudes to GMOs and food, and investigates how easily fear and misinformation can overwhelm objective, evidence-based analysis.

Join one of the stars of the film, Dr Alison Van Eenennaam, a science communicator and an animal genomics and biotechnology specialist, together with Professor Robert Henry, a plant geneticist and Professor of Innovation from the University of Queensland and Dr Craig Cormick, Science communicator and author – for a new perspective on the GMO debate.

Facilitated by:
• Lee Hickey, Senior Research Fellow, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) at the University of Queensland

To kick off your TropAg2017 experience enjoy a relaxed evening of drinks and cocktail food at the welcome reception. The reception will be held in the trade exhibition area providing you with the opportunity to network with fellow delegates and conference exhibitors.

While the first known attempt at creating genetically modified human embryos using the CRISPR gene editing technology recently attracted world-wide publicity, the technology is well established in agriculture.

What work is being done with gene editing in Australian agriculture and what is the market status and global regulatory environment for gene-edited livestock and crops? How does gene editing differ from GMOs, and what do consumers think?

Speakers:
• Kevin Diehl, Dupont Pioneer
• Professor Robert Henry, QAAFI
• Stuart Armitage, Queensland Farmers Federation

Facilitated by: Neil Lyon, Grain Central