Rob Bertram was Chief Scientist for Food Security at USAID from 2014-2025, where he led agricultural and food systems research in Feed the Future. The investments developed technologies, practices and policies focused on reducing hunger, extreme poverty and child stunting through inclusive agricultural growth and increased access to affordable, quality diets. Throughout this period and for many years prior he represented USAID in CGIAR and other international research centers and led development of the U.S. university (Innovation Labs) and public-private research partnerships. His genetic resources engagement spanned scientific support to the International Treaty negotiations, chairing the Commission on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, and leading USAID support for the Global Crop Diversity Trust. He served in leadership roles in FAO’s Global Action on Fall Armyworm and the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) movement. Prior to USAID, he worked in dryland agricultural research with the CGIAR and with USDA’s international programs.
