This panel discussion at WashU and online explored the alarming decline in biodiversity at genetic, species, and ecosystem levels and its critical implications for food security and public health nutrition. With only nine plant species accounting for 65% of global food production, we face an unprecedented crisis that threatens resilient agrifood systems worldwide. Leading experts discussed policy frameworks, community solutions, and actionable strategies needed to protect and enhance biodiversity for food and nutrition security. This event was September 23, 2025, in Umrath Hall, on Washington University’s Danforth Campus, and also was livestreamed.
A recording of the event is here.
Event Program
Introduction
Morven McLean, PhD
Executive director of networks and innovation and professor of practice; and director of the Food & Agriculture Research Mission (FARM) Innovation Research Network, School of Public Health at Washington University in St. Louis
Panel discussion
Moderated by Sandro Galea, MD, DrPH
Margaret C. Ryan Dean of the School of Public Health
Eugene S. and Constance Kahn Distinguished Professor in Public Health
Vice Provost for Interdisciplinary Initiatives
Washington University in St Louis
Featured panelists
Kaleb Baye, PhD, nutritionist and food systems researcher
Professor of human nutrition and former director of the Center for Food Science and Nutrition at Addis Ababa University; deputy editor of the journal “Public Health Nutrition”
Anna Nelson, MPP, JD, global food security expert
Former deputy special envoy for global food security at the U.S. Department of State; former chief of staff of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency and senior advisor on food and climate to the U.S. director of foreign assistance
Gina Kennedy, MPH, PhD, food biodiversity and nutrition systems scientist
Principal scientist with Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT); chair of International Union of Nutritional Sciences task force on traditional and indigenous peoples food systems and nutrition
Closing remarks
Lora Iannotti, MA, PhD
Lauren and Lee Fixel Distinguished Professor; co-director of the Food & Agriculture Research Mission (FARM) Innovation Research Network; founding director of the E3 Nutrition Lab at WashU School of Public Health