Professor Ian Toth

Conference Chair, James Hutton Institute

Ian Toth is the Director of the National Potato Innovation Centre (NPIC) and Scotland’s Plant Health Centre, and a Visiting Professor at the University of Glasgow. He is currently the President of the European Association for Potato Research (EAPR) and chairs the International Erwinia Workshop, is a member of the International Potato Partnership (IPP), on the Board of various potato organisations and initiatives and chairs Potatoes in Practice (the UK’s largest potato field event) Committee. In 2020, he chaired the Scottish Government’s potato cyst nematode Working Group and in the same year received the British Potato Industry Award for lifetime contribution to the potato industry (2020).

Dr Sonia Humphris

James Hutton Institute

Dr Sonia Humphris is a Molecular Bacteriologist and Manager of Scotland's Plant Health Centre, a multi-organisation virtual Centre of Expertise led by the James Hutton Institute and funded by the Scottish Government through RESAS (Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services Division). Working with the Chief Plant Health Officer for Scotland, Professor Gerry Saddler from SASA, the Centre brings the plant sectors for forestry, horticulture, environment and agriculture together to coordinate plant health knowledge, skills, needs and activities across Scotland.

Dr Sanjeev Kumar Sharma

James Hutton Institute

Dr Sanjeev Kumar Sharma is a Senior Research Scientist in the Cell and Molecular Sciences department at the James Hutton Institute, Dundee, UK. With over 30 years' experience, his work spans genetics, genomics, pre-breeding, molecular biology, bioinformatics, and novel propagation systems including synthetic seed technology. He was part of the international consortium that produced the first reference potato genome and co-led development of the first physical genetic map of potato. His research encompasses genetic dissection of key potato traits and development of innovative genome-scale genotyping technologies. He holds a PhD from the University of Dundee, awarded under a Commonwealth Scholarship, and a Master's in Biotechnology and Bachelor's in Forestry from CCS Haryana Agricultural University, India.

Ingo Hein

James Hutton Institute

Ingo Hein is Deputy Director of the National Potato Innovation Centre and Professor of Crop Genetics at the University of Dundee. His research integrates plant pathology and potato genetics to deliver improved crop protection against major biotic threats. Through this work, he explores the extensive diversity of disease resistances present within the Commonwealth Potato Collection and mobilises novel resistance traits into practical potato breeding programmes through advanced genetic and genomic approaches.

Greig Cahill

Science & Advice for Scottish Agriculture

Greig Cahill is a Potato Bacteriologist based at SASA in Edinburgh. His work focuses on bacterial pathogens of the genera Dickeya and Pectobacterium, which are responsible for causing blackleg in potato crops and soft rot in tubers. His role encompasses both statutory diagnostic testing in support of Scottish plant health legislation, and research investigating endemic and emerging species within these genera.

Dr Alison Karley

James Hutton Institute

Dr Alison Karley is a senior scientist in agroecology based at the James Hutton Institute, Scotland. She has >25 years experience of sustainable agri-food system research, grounded in plant-insect interactions and IPM. She works with stakeholders to develop, test and deploy practices to diversify crop systems (e.g. legume-based intercropping, novel crops, non-cropped habitats), with the aim of reducing inputs and the environmental impact of crop production and increasing agroecosystem resilience to climate and external shocks. She collaborates across scientific disciplines, actor groups and generations, from farmers to policy and including young people, to understand the knowledge gaps and challenges of alternative cropping practices from socio-economic, agronomic and environmental perspectives.

Dr Thomas Adams

James Hutton Institute

Dr Thomas Adams is a postdoctoral researcher at the James Hutton Institute working on the genetics and genomics of potato disease resistance.

Dr Kerry Leslie

Sac Consulting (SRUC)

Dr Kerry Leslie is a potato Consultant with SAC Consulting (Part of SRUC). She has a specialism in potato cyst nematode (PCN) and acts as the knowledge exchange lead for the PCN Action Scotland Project.

Gerard Croft

British Potato Trade Association

Gerard Croft, having spent 37 years involved in the Seed Potato industry, is currently secretariat  of the British Potato Trade Association, whose members consist mainly of businesses engaged in the production and marketing of seed potatoes within the UK. The BPTA is considered a key stakeholder within the sector, liaising with a number of Government departments, including Defra, APHA and SASA, a well as being nvolved with various reseach institues within the UK working on potato related research. The BPTA also is the UK National delegate within the European Trade body, Europatat who represents the European potato trade at an EU level.

Jessica Hippey

CPD Services, University of Aberdeen

Jess re-joined the CPD and Events team in 2023 and works as a Business Development officer. The team is the focal point for CPD Activity for the University, and works with academics to facilitate academic and work-related conferences and short courses. They offer a range of bespoke professional conference organising services that cover all aspects of event management. Jess previously worked for the University from 2005 to 2012 across various departments, and more recently had over 8 years experience of running her own business alongside raising her family. Jess has a particular interest in  AI and automation, streamlining processes and procedures, and on-the-day event support.

Katie has extensive experience in event management and administration, having worked in Edinburgh’s five-star hospitality sector and delivered private and corporate events at prestigious venues including the National Galleries of Scotland, the National Museum of Scotland, the Assembly Rooms and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. She later joined the University of Edinburgh’s Events team, supporting the delivery of large conferences and institutional events.

Known for her ability to thrive in fast-paced environments, Katie enjoys providing high-quality administrative support and ensuring projects and events are delivered to a high standard. In 2023, she joined the University of Aberdeen’s CPD team as Events Administrator after returning to Aberdeenshire with her family. She holds a BA (Hons) in Hospitality Management and German from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.