AGSTC 2021
Moderator
Reza Ovissipour
Assistant Professor
Virginia Tech
Assistant Professor
Virginia Tech
Panelists
Jonathan van Senten, Ph.D.
Assistant Director, Virginia Seafood AREC Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist VSAREC & Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics Affiliate Faculty Center for Coastal Studies Virginia Tech Dr. van Senten is an “aquaculture economist” at the Virginia Tech Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Hampton, Virginia. Prior to his PhD degree in aquaculture economics (University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff), Jonathan obtained a degree in marine biology (Barry University) and graduate degree in marine affairs and policy (University of Miami). Jonathan’s primary research focus is on quantifying the farm-level effects of the regulatory environment on U.S. aquaculture producers. To date, thorough investigations of the national baitfish/sportfish, national trout, and west coast shellfish industries have been completed; with further investigations in new sectors underway. In addition to his work on regulations, Jonathan is also involved in evaluating economic impacts, the feasibility of emerging species for aquaculture, assessing the economic performance of new dietary formulations, ornamental aquaculture and business development, financial benchmarking of aquaculture farms, and aquaponics program development as part of the team at Virginia Tech. Alongside his activities at Virginia Tech, Jonathan is also a member of the Virginia Sea Grant consortium; addressing a variety of issues in fisheries and aquaculture programming in collaboration with other state and regional Sea Grant affiliate universities. |
Lester Schonberger Ph.D.
Research Associate Virginia Tech Dr. Schonberger is a Research Associate with the Department of Food Science and Technology at Virginia Tech. His research and Cooperative Extension interests broadly intersect food safety education in food systems. His work focuses identifying how Cooperative Extension can be used as a tool to support a positive food safety culture. His research interests include safe food handling, food safety education, community food systems, food waste, and Cooperative Extension. |
