Roel Rezk studies food system sustainability at Wageningen program

Valentina Roel Rezk was among graduate students from around the world who participated in a summer program seeking to shape future policy and research into circular food and agriculture systems. The program was put on by the Circular Food Systems Network, hosted by Wageningen University & Research, in the Netherlands.

Roel Rezk is a doctoral student in the lab of Cameron Pittelkow, an associate professor in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences. She relates her experiences:

The summer school program at Wageningen University was aimed at young professionals interested in circular agri-food systems. Another UC Davis student also was selected from among 300 candidates to join the group of 20 young professionals. The fact that two Aggies were chosen to participate is very exciting to me and highlights the level of our university and makes me a proud Aggie! My colleague in the program was Thao Bach, a doctoral student from the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics.

As an agronomist, I was able to expand my knowledge and think in terms of the entire food system. We learned about crucial topics: transitions to a circular bio-economy, crop-livestock integration, recycling waste streams, reducing fossil energy, bioenergy production and enhancing nutrient use efficiency to reduce environmental impact. 

One of the most important aspects of my two weeks at Wageningen was the ability to discuss with the 19 other motivated, enthusiastic and open-minded colleagues, as well as the organizers and professors who gave the lectures.

The Circular Food Systems Network is a research network created by the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases. With programs in Europe, Africa and Latin America, the network seeks to encourage global cooperation and the sharing of knowledge about sustainable practices in food crops and livestock, according to the organization’s website.

Related links

Roel gives early results from her research into a fertilizer alternative that reduces waste and greenhouse gases.