VINELAND - Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, a world-class centre for horticultural science and innovation, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Michael Brownbridge to the new role of Research Director, Horticultural Production Systems.

Dr. Brownbridge will focus primarily on cutting edge pest management practices, innovative greenhouse technologies and industry leading cultivation techniques. "As today's horticultural industry takes on new challenges, Dr. Brownbridge will lead his research team in the pioneering of unique technologies throughout the field of biocontrol," said Dr. Jim Brandle, CEO, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre.

Dr. Brownbridge brings to Vineland an extensive international research background. With a B.Sc. (Honours) degree in Agricultural Zoology and a Ph.D. from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne in the UK, Dr. Brownbridge paved the way for his first post doctoral position with the Ben Gurion University in Be'er Sheva, Israel. Dr. Brownbridge's time at Ben Gurion was dedicated to working on the microbial control of mosquitoes. Subsequently, Dr. Brownbridge accepted a second post doctoral position with The International Centre of Insect Physiology & Ecology (ICIPE) in Nairobi, Kenya where he researched the microbial control of lepidopteran pests in cereal staples.

Upon leaving the ICIPE, Dr. Brownbridge joined the University of Vermont's Entomology Research Laboratory as a Research Assistant Professor where he was later appointed to the position of Research Associate Professor. His work with the Entomology Research Laboratory consisted mainly of forest pest management and developing integrated pest management tools and systems for pests of greenhouse ornamentals, as well as evaluating the effects of microbial control agents and genetically modified maize on non-target beneficials and soil-dwelling microarthropods.

Flowers Canada Ontario is delighted that Dr. Michael Brownbridge has joined Vineland Research and Innovation Centre. "We look forward to identifying research priorities and working in partnership with Dr. Brownbridge and the Centre in developing a long-term research strategy for our sector," said Andrew Kuyvenhoven, Chair, Flowers Canada Ontario.

Prior to joining Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, Dr. Brownbridge was investigating pastoral and plantation forest pest management with AgResearch in New Zealand. Dr. Brownbridge's extensive background in pest management and greenhouse technologies brings significant expertise in Horticultural Production Systems research to Vineland Research and Innovation Centre and the Canadian horticulture industry.