PCA2023

Elio Jovicich Speaker

Dr. Elio Jovicich is a Senior Horticulturist and Protected Cropping Program Leader with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in Queensland Australia. For the past 30 years Elio has worked in integrated crop management of vegetables in field and greenhouse production systems, in applied research, extension, and teaching.

Since 1997, he has been working in protective cropping systems for regions with mild winter climates and sub-tropical and tropical climates. He has experience working with research projects in Argentina, USA and Australia, as well as experience with projects and production systems in Mexico, Barbados, Chile, Spain, Italy, Israel, Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga.

Elio and a project team recently completed AS19005, Australian Protected Cropping RD&E Strategy 2030; a co-investment by Hort Innovation, DAF, and Food Innovation Australia (FIAL).

Pavlos Kalaitzoglou Speaker

As the VP of Science at Infarm, an indoor farming company that revolutionizes urban agriculture through vertical farming and patented technology, I play a pivotal role in managing the Science Team and driving the scientific direction of our product development roadmap. My responsibilities include overseeing multiple indoor farming products, managing strategic partnerships with industry and academic leaders, and supervising the Crop Science teams that focus on crop protection, agronomy, crop quality, genetics, and nutritional biochemistry.

In my role, I also strive to continuously improve project management and research practices to enhance visibility, scalability, alignment, and accountability across the organization. I lead the agronomical development of products that integrate cross-functional systems and teams, including specialized lighting, automation, HVAC, and irrigation. As a thought leader and mentor, I foster a culture of positive thinking, constant learning, collaboration, and improvement within the development teams. I formulate and execute metric-based processes to measure

and improve our overall performance, coach team members to maximize their potential, and drive a strong research culture based on learning, optimism, teamwork, and career development. Ultimately, I am responsible for making final decisions on development matters and ensuring the effective achievement of our objectives.

Carl Larsen Speaker

Carl is a socio-environmental scientist with 15 years’ experience in planning, delivery and evaluation of agriculture and natural resource management programs, integrated water management, climate change and stakeholder engagement. He understands

the practical implications of policy and science on communities and agriculture. Carl has worked with a range of government departments, resource management agencies, research and development corporations, private organisations and communities

around Australia on catchment management, sustainable water use, resource management in agriculture/horticulture, land use, climate change, strategic planning, industry development, extension and practice change.

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