The Ohio Controlled Environment Agriculture Center (OHCEAC) and OUR PARTNERS AT THE NCSU-CEA-Coalition ARE proud to introduce our keynote speakers:
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Dr. Paul Fisher “Production of High-Quality Plugs and Rooted Cuttings in Floriculture” |
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Dr. Rhoda deJonge “Production of High-Quality Forestry/Landscape Tree Seedlings – Designing Root Architecture and Rootzone Environment” |
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Dr. Matt Kleinhenz "Production and Use of High-Quality Vegetable Seedlings and Grafting for High Tunnels and Open Fields” |
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Dr. Ricardo Hernández “Optimized High-Tech Controlled Environment Agriculture Propagation Strategies for Affordable, High-Quality Young Plants” 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. |
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Dr. Nadia Sabeh “Designing Systems and HVAC for High-Quality Transplant Production Facilities” Dr. Nadia Sabeh, PE, LEED AP is President and Founder of Dr. Greenhouse, Inc., an agriculture and mechanical engineering firm specializing in the design and optimization of HVAC systems for greenhouses and indoor farms. She and her team have worked on over 200 CEA projects around the world! Dr. Sabeh is dedicated to helping growers control their environments to grow crops in locations that would normally be impossible or impractical to do so. Dr. Sabeh co-chaired the development of the ASABE/ASHRAE Engineering Practice "EP653 HVAC for Indoor Plant Environments without Sunlight," is an industry collaborator with OptimIA, and conducts research to inform California’s new CEA energy codes and ASHRAE’s 90.1 energy standard. Her podcast, "The Doctor Is In,” is popular among growers for its practical lessons and expert interviews. Dr. Sabeh received her PhD studying greenhouse climate management at the University of Arizona’s CEAC and is a licensed Mechanical Engineer in several states. |