About the Speaker

Plant scientist, researcher and international advocate for environmental sustainability and climate smart solutions, Prof Paul Gauthier, PhD leads the Australian Indoor farming Lab at the University of Queensland. His research focuses on developing innovative solutions at the intersection of food, agriculture, environmental sustainability and technology. He is developing economical strategies to grow alternative crops indoor (Cacao, Coffee, Rice or Wheat) to address sustainable development goals and empower local communities through climate smart agricultural solutions. Building international collaborations and teams of experts, his research has delivered the first strategic roadmap for indoor staple crops through technological innovations and biological enhancements.

For more than a decade, Prof Paul Gauthier is acting as an international academic and industry consultant for Controlled Environment Agriculture Industry supporting leaders in developing vertical farming solutions. Skilled at delivering innovative approaches, Prof Paul Gauthier founded and directed Princeton Environmental Ideathon, a think-tank of Sustainable solutions for the cities of tomorrow at the intersection of Technology, Biodiversity, Energy and Society. He has also co-founded Kêr Farms, where, as CSO, he led his team in growing berries (strawberries, Raspberries and Blueberries) indoor sustainably and pesticide-free. He successfully led Bowery Farming R&D team using a unique approach combining business, management and academic excellence and delivered many commercial products including Strawberries and many other leafy greens. He has also built vision for their product pipeline and led the development of their plant pathology team, delivering better quality products.

Building on his experience and expertise, he has spearheaded projects in collaboration spanning across North America, Europe, Oceania, Asia, and the Middle East. Notably, he founded the Asian Pacific Indoor Farming Consortium, bringing together diverse stakeholders from across the region, and initiated the Australia-Korea Smart Farming Exchange Program. These endeavours aim to tackle the challenges posed by climate change on global food supplies. Prof. Paul Gauthier’s exceptional academic and business acumen has firmly established him as a preeminent global expert in vertical farming and agriculture. His focus on sustainability and food security underscores his leadership in these critical domains.

---