Global View Speaker: Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted

October 23, 2023

The Global View Speaker series is sponsored by the Ravenholt Endowment.

World Food Prize Speaker: Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted on Thursday, October 26 at 11:00 am in Elings Hall

Topic: Transforming Food Systems: Aquatic Foods for Nourishing People and Planet

Dr. Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted, native of Trinidad and Tobago and a citizen of Denmark, was the recipient of the 2021 World Food Prize for her groundbreaking research, critical insights and landmark innovations in developing holistic, nutrition-sensitive approaches to aquaculture and food systems. By bringing together interdisciplinary and international collaborators, she drove transformations in aquatic food systems to deliver improved nutrition, resilient ecosystems and secure livelihoods for millions of vulnerable people across the globe.

Commencing her career as the first and only woman in the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands and Fisheries on the island of Tobago, Thilsted now serves as the Global Lead for Nutrition and Public Health at WorldFish, a global CGIAR research center headquartered in Malaysia. Her work guides WorldFish, other research institutions, major funders, government agencies and public and private organizations to work together to reshape food systems to deliver on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Young researchers Thilsted has mentored now use her holistic approach to increase the sustainable production and consumption of nutritious fish and fish-based foods in Asia, Africa and the Pacific. As an adviser to heads of state, ministers, high-level panels and international boards, she provides direction for research, policies and practices in pursuit of improved food systems that boost biodiversity, enhance environments, reinforce resilient communities, increase incomes, empower women and provide adequate nutrition for all.

 The Global View Speaker Series will also be available via webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85056089686