World Coffee Research (WCR) has named George Kotch as its new Research Director on 10 March 2020.
The position is the WCR’s senior scientific leadership role and Kotch will be responsible for leading the organisation’s research portfolio and building partnerships.
“George brings tremendous experience accelerating impact in breeding programs, bringing new varieties that respond to farmer needs and market demands for quality and consistency,” says Jennifer ‘Vern’ Long, CEO of WCR.
Kotch holds a Ph.D. in Plant Breeding and Genetics from the University of Wisconsin and is currently based in at UC Davis Coffee Science Center in California, United States of America.
In his most recent role, Kotch led product design and management of the Excellence in Breeding Platform, a program designed to modernise and improve breeding outcomes for the global Community of International Agricultural Research Centers.
“Coffee faces serious challenges in the 21st century and George brings experience from a range of crops. He’ll leverage networks and techniques from across the globe to focus on coffee’s challenges. This is the right moment to bring him to our community as we face the combined threats of climate change and low prices,” Long says.
