CEALGNE Keynote Speakers

Dr. Erik Runkle is a professor and extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Michigan State University. Since Erik joined the faculty in 2001, he and his graduate research team have developed research-based information on the effects of light, temperature, and other environmental parameters to control the growth, quality, and development of floriculture crops and leafy green vegetables. He also investigates the opportunities and challenges of new greenhouse technologies, such as LEDs, spectral-shifting films, and transparent photovoltaics. Erik is a partner of the Floriculture Research Alliance and director of OptimIA, which focuses on improving the profitability and sustainability of indoor leafy-greens production.

Dr. Soledad Benitez Ponce is an Associate Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at The Ohio State University (OSU), where she leads the Plant Bacteriology and Agricultural Microbiomes Lab. Her research focuses on the diversity and function of soil and plant-associated microbial communities, specifically examining how agricultural management practices—such as crop rotation, cover crops, and hydroponic production—influence plant health and sustainability. Originally from Ecuador, she earned her BS in Biological Sciences from Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador before completing PhD in Plant Pathology at OSU. Dr. Benitez Ponce has extensive experience in microbial ecology and plant pathology, having held teaching and research positions in Ecuador and postdoctoral fellowships at Duke University and the USDA. Today, she integrates high-throughput molecular techniques with field and greenhouse experimentation to better understand the ecology of plant-associated microorganisms with the goal to optimize plant-microbial associations that promote crop health, productivity and sustainability.

Hydroponic related research:

Hydroponic production, including of leafy greens, is a growing and dynamic industry. In hydroponics, roots are in continuous contact with a nutrient solution standardized to maximize crop biomass. In our laboratory we are interested in how these conditions that maximize crop growth are influencing microbes, and their function in production settings. The Benitez Ponce lab recently documented variability in leafy green hydroponic operations, production practices (e.g., type of substrate used and sanitation frequency), and automation in Ohio. They also found that system design and sampled compartments are the main drivers of microbial community composition, and that EC, pH, greenhouse temperature, and season contribute to community differentiation across facilities. In addition, they are exploring the functional contributions of novel bacteria (recovered from nutrient solution) to hydroponic system health, and parameters that influence incidence and dynamics of Pythium root rot. 

Dr. Anna Testen is a Research Plant Pathologist with the USDA-ARS Application Technology Research Unit (ATRU) in Wooster, OH.

Dr. Testen’s research focuses on management of diseases of specialty crops produced in controlled environment agriculture systems, ranging from high tunnels to vertical farms. This research focuses on developing non-chemical methods of disease management, such as anaerobic soil disinfestation and biological control.

She has expertise in plant disease management, disease diagnostics and monitoring, specialty crop production, seed pathology, and international agriculture.

Dr. Ricardo Hernández is an Associate Professor at North Carolina State University specializing in controlled environment agriculture. He serves as the director of the CEA-Coalition at NCSU. Dr. Hernández has received multiple prestigious awards, including the University Faculty Scholar title and the Goodnight Early Career Innovator recognition from NC State University, the Early Career Faculty Leadership Award from the American Society of Horticultural Sciences, and the Excellence in Teaching Award from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

In addition to his research, teaching, and leadership in the CEA Coalition, Dr. Hernández is actively engaged in entrepreneurship, focusing on commercializing university technology through licensing and as the founder of a startup company (rooted-in-tech.com) focused on indoor plant propagation. 

Dr. Paul Rutten is the CEO and Founder of Concert Bio, a biotech startup dedicated to helping CEA growers understand and improve their plant microbiome. Paul is Dutch, but did his PhD at the University of Oxford, where he studied plant-microbe interactions.

Through microbiome monitoring service for growers, Concert Bio has collected over 20,000 samples. Using this data, they recently developed their first beneficial microbe product, Overture™ (US brand name Prelude™). These microbes have since been validated extensively by major growers in the US and Europe, as well as Dutch trial centres such as Delpy, Vertify and Horti-Tech.

Paul Brentlinger is a second-generation owner of CropKing Inc. and has 20+ years of experience working with controlled environment agriculture growers all over the world. He has studied best-of-breed controlled environment and hydroponic practices across the globe to apply the most efficient and cost-effective practices into optimal systems for CropKing customers. Paul leads the CropKing teams in consulting, sales, and management, providing solutions for growers of all sizes.

Taylor Smith is the Horticulture Sales & Marketing Manager at Lubing Systems, LP. Brought on in June 2022, Taylor was hired to expand Lubing’s presence in the horticulture market by launching plastic evaporative cooling pad systems and Lubing’s high-pressure fogging solutions. One year into the role, Taylor helped introduce the AGS Automated Gutter System to address labor challenges for small- to mid-sized lettuce growers. Taylor brings additional industry experience from prior roles in substrates with Sun Gro Horticulture and Jiffy Products of America.

Sarah Despres joined Rijk Zwaan in Netherlands in 2020 before moving to her actual position within Rijk Zwaan Canada in 2022. As a Product Development Specialist, she is working closely with growers across Canada and the Eastern United States to evaluate and position lettuce, and previously cucumber varieties, for commercial success.

With a background in management and communication, she brings a grower focused mindset to product development, combining technical analysis with strong relationships in the greenhouse. Passionate about lettuce production and controlled environment systems, she is particularly interested in how genetics, climate management, and grower practices interact to optimize crop performance.

Sarah is known for her hands on trial involvement, detailed follow-ups, and ability to translate complex technical information into practical solutions that support growers’ decision-making.