John Fagan Ph.D.
Dr. John Fagan is a leading authority on sustainability in the food and agricultural system, and on biosafety and food authenticity. Currently he is Cofounder, Chairman and Chief Scientist at Health Research Institute (www.HRILabs.org) where he investigates the links between (a) regenerative agricultural practices, (b) the safety and nutritional value of foods, and (c) consumer health and well-being. HRI collaborates widely to catalyze the global transition to regenerative agricultural methods that produce pure, safe, healthy food while creating balance and regenerating the planet. HRI also conducts research and development to advance transparency and safety related to genetically modified foods, including gene-edited foods.
He is also Chairman of the social venture, Global Family Farms (www.globalfamilyfarms.com), which improves farmer livelihoods and well-being in the developing world, providing training in regenerative organic agriculture and access to international markets. As Professor of Molecular Biology at Maharishi International University, USA, he leads a research program investigating the transcriptomic and metabolomic effects of practicing Transcendental Meditation. Based on his personal experience of life-long meditation practice, he volunteers as an international leader in the TM organization (www.tm.org, www.davidlynchfoundation.org).
Dr. Fagan also serves as Executive Director of the Earth Open Source Institute (www.earthopensource.org), a non-profit engaging people, communities, industry, and governments to restore the open source roots of the food system—collaboration, transparency, and shared knowledge and resources—to help feed humanity, increase equity, support self-reliance and foster healthy ecosystems. There he directs research and manages agricultural development projects.
Dr. Fagan is also a successful entrepreneur, having founded, built and sold Global ID Group, a pioneering company where he developed innovative molecular biological tools to advance food purity, safety and sustainability. Earlier, he conducted biomedical research, examining molecular mechanisms in carcinogenesis and cellular and gene-regulatory impacts of environmental toxicants such as dioxins and PCBs. His research has been published in leading scientific journals and supported by millions of dollars in grants, including the prestigious National Institutes of Health Research Career Development Award. He earned his Ph.D. in molecular biology, biochemistry, and cell biology from Cornell University.