Emeritus Distinguished Professor Dame Alison Stewart, of Prebbleton, DNZM for services to plant science and the arable sector
Emeritus Distinguished Professor Dame Alison Stewart is an internationally renowned plant scientist with a 40-year career focused on sustainable plant protection, soil biology and plant biotechnology. Dame Alison has been Chief Executive of the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) since 2018 and was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2009 for her contributions to biology and plant pathology. She was Chief Science Officer at Marrone Bio Innovations in the United States from 2013 to 2015 before returning to New Zealand and becoming General Manager Forestry Science at Scion from 2015 to 2018. She is internationally recognised for her work on the biocontrol of plant pests and diseases and has commercialised a number of products in New Zealand and the US. She has pioneered the implementation of sustainable farming practices that can improve crop yields and quality while minimising environmental impacts. As CEO of FAR, she has been instrumental in promoting the arable sector and has strongly advocated to government and the public on the importance and value of plant production systems in New Zealand. She is a great proponent of cross sector engagement, fostering collaboration between researchers, growers, government and industry stakeholders for continuous improvement. Throughout her career Dame Alison has been a strong mentor of young scientists and future agricultural leaders, encouraging innovative and ambitious thinking to address New Zealand’s agricultural challenges.