Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Dr. Rene Van Acker is Professor and Dean of the Ontario Agricultural College at the University of Guelph and was previously Associate Dean of the college and prior to that was chair of the department of Plant Agriculture at the University of Guelph. Prior to returning to Guelph in 2006 he was a professor of weed science and crop management at the University of Manitoba. His research interests include weed biology and ecology, robust cropping systems, multifunctional agriculture and the coexistence of GM and non-GM crops. He conducts field-based research, supervises graduate students and teaches courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. He has published over 130 peer-reviewed works to-date and has made over 300 other non-peer reviewed contributions. His research work on coexistence of GM and non-GM crops has lead to international collaborations and presentations, and consulting work with governments and organizations in Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, France, Germany, Australia, the US and Canada. In his administrative role Rene plays a leadership role in OAC and was a founder of the Food Institute at the University of Guelph (now named the Arrell Food Institute). Rene grew up on a farm in southwest Ontario. He holds BSc and MSc degrees in crop science and weed management from the University of Guelph and a PhD in crop-weed ecology from the University of Reading in the UK.