Light Science Technologies has enhanced its pool of scientific expertise by announcing the appointment of Dr. Chris Adams as its new plant scientist and specialist in densor development – with the aim to further advance its research and analytical capability in optimised plant performance in controlled environment agriculture (CEA).
In his new role, Dr. Adams will work closely with the company’s team comprising in-house scientists and top-level industry specialists, to drive innovation in polytunnel, glasshouse and vertical farming from its new onsite lab facilities.
He joins Light Science Technologies with 10 years’ academic experience in the biological field, including a PhD in Plant Biochemistry and Bioinformatics from Imperial College London, where he also worked as research assistant.
He has a Master of Science degree in Biochemistry from the Biomedical Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University.
His credentials also include specialisation in remote sensing, where he has lectured as well as written several academic papers on the subject, and conducted in-depth research on wheat and tomatoes.
Expansion of Light Science Technologies
The newly created position comes at a time of exponential growth for Light Science Technologies, as it steers new research and development in lighting and sensing technology for CEA applications, including vertical farming, greenhouses and polytunnels.
Last year, the company was awarded Innovate UK funding as part of the Transforming Food Production (TFP) challenge, to support its collaborative partnership with Nottingham Trent University’s research team to further develop its growing sensor technology and innovative transmission node.
It has also recently opened its purpose-built testing facility at its Derby site to replicate a grower’s processes in CEA, and test new crops in its controlled environment chambers, managing key conditions such as; wavelength and intensity of light; temperature; humidity; CO2; air speed; nutrient; dissolved oxygen; root zone temperature and water.
As a ‘world first’, it is the only known laboratory of its kind that has been specifically designed to allow its scientists to continue working safely through a pandemic.
Utilising its collective scientific expertise and Light Science Technologies integrated sensor technology, the team can harness historical and real-time data to help farmers and growers create the right recipe, while ensuring optimal plant productivity and yield.
Simon Deacon, CEO of Light Science Technologies said: “We warmly welcome Chris to the team and are relishing the prospect of working together to enhance our innovative, scientific-led approach to our work.
His academic accomplishments speak for themselves; his scientific insights and proficiency in statistical analysis will undoubtedly play a key role in the advancement of our environmental technologies for indoor farming.”
Dr. Adams commented:
“As a company at the forefront of scientific research into ground-breaking agricultural technology, Light Science Technologies presents a great opportunity for me.
“What I’m driven by is the discovery of novel scientific information that will help improve the world as we know it.
CEA and vertical farms have the potential to deliver solutions to urgent global issues concerning food production and climate change.
“Thus includes drastically reducing pesticide use, food transportation and agricultural water consumption, as well as lowering greenhouse gas emissions; Light Science Technologies is intently focused on helping to overcome these global challenges.”
