Mark Maistry

Background

About Mark Maistry

Professional Summary I am an interdisciplinary professional and multitalented DIY guy, with 25 years of experience in plant biology, basic and applied research, horticulture and landscaping, management, and food businesses. I use a scientific and learn-by-doing approach to investigate how plants respond to nutrient limitation, drought, changing climate, and extreme environments. Furthermore, to solve problems at the intersection of human society and natural systems, I study why the way we organize ourselves to produce and consume and the associated ideas and actions, degrades land, destroys biodiversity, and is changing the earth's climate. My theoretical and practical expertise in climate action, biodiversity conservation, ecological restoration, and sustainable economic development, is supported by a PhD and MSc in Botany, a BSc in Zoology, a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education, and a Chef Diploma, with leadership roles in academia, government, and industry. Key Achievements: • Manage tree production in the state-of-the-art Green Riyadh Nursery, contributing to Riyadh planting 7.5 million trees by 2030. • Leading advisory and practitioner role in the Warwick Zero Waste (WZW) project, using urban agriculture and composting science to promote circular economy practices, climate action, and food security. • Received the Claude Leon Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship and the National Research Foundation (NRF) Grantholder-linked Bursary (PhD) to advance research in plant biology. • PhD produced 4 first-author research papers in the top quartile of international, peer-reviewed, plant science journals, advancing knowledge in plant physiology and sustainable agriculture. • Technical expertise in hydroponic systems and nutrient recipe formulation for precision plant cultivation, focusing on studying root traits to assess tolerance of nutrient limitation. • Selected as 1 of 10 science professionals, for the Deloitte-Innovation Fund Technology Commercialisation Programme, to assess the commercial viability of research projects, and provide actionable insights for investment decisions. Objective To lead impactful change through operations, research, consulting, learning, and policy in organisations committed to addressing challenges at the intersection of human society and natural systems.