Broadcast Date: July 22, 2025 | 11:00am CDT
Price: FREE for members, $49 for nonmembers
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Webinar Summary
Many APS members excel in research but face challenges translating scientific innovations into market-ready solutions. This series will offer practical guidance for commercialization. Interested folks will understand the regulatory pathways for biocontrol agents, especially given the complexities of international markets, are vital for researchers and developers. With the increasing emphasis on sustainability, this series will educate participants on aligning biocontrol innovations with current market needs and consumer trends. By connecting researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers, the series will foster partnerships that can accelerate the adoption of biocontrol solutions. Overall, the series will provide a platform for knowledge exchange and practical guidance and will empower APS members to contribute to sustainable agricultural practices and enhance their impact on global food security.
Learn More About the Webinar Series
About the Presenters
Moderator: Devanshi Khokhani
Speakers: Dr. Rebecca Williams-Wagner & Dr. Harsh Bais
Dr. Rebecca Williams-Wagner
3BarBio
Becky Williams-Wagner joined 3BarBio in 2017 and has worked on many development projects for our partners, most recently the Azo Root product. She earned her BS in Molecular Biology from Otterbein University and a PhD in microbiology from The Ohio State University. During graduate school and as a post-doctoral researcher, she studied the physiology and gene regulatory mechanisms of the soil bacterium, Bacillus subtilis, to understand microbial responses to stress.
Dr. Harsh Bais
University of Delaware
Harsh's rhizosphere biology research is focused on understanding the biological significance of root exudation. Though root exudation clearly represents a significant carbon cost to the plant, the mechanisms and regulatory processes controlling root secretion are just now beginning to be examined. Root-root, root-microbe, and root-nematode communications are continuous occurrences in the rhizosphere, but due to the underground nature of roots, these intriguing interactions have largely been overlooked. His laboratory’s research is taking a multidisciplinary approach by interfacing plant biology and chemistry to unravel the underground communication process.
About the Webinar Series
Many APS members excel in research but face challenges translating scientific innovations into market-ready solutions. This series will offer practical guidance for commercialization. Interested folks will understand the regulatory pathways for biocontrol agents, especially given the complexities of international markets, are vital for researchers and developers. With the increasing emphasis on sustainability, this series will educate participants on aligning biocontrol innovations with current market needs and consumer trends. By connecting researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers, the series will foster partnerships that can accelerate the adoption of biocontrol solutions. Overall, the series will provide a platform for knowledge exchange and practical guidance and will empower APS members to contribute to sustainable agricultural practices and enhance their impact on global food security.
Learning Objectives:
Attendees will be able to:
- recognize the current global market landscape, trends, and opportunities for biocontrol products.
- know the key regulatory requirements for biocontrol agents in various regions.
- identify pathways to achieve compliance with regulatory standards.
- grasp the common barriers to scaling production.
- apply lessons from case studies to overcome challenges in the production, marketing, or adoption of biocontrol agents.
- develop strategies for translating research innovations into commercially viable biocontrol products.
