My name is Dr Jenna Ross, and I am a farmer’s daughter from Aberdeenshire with a passion for driving innovation in agriculture. I hold a PhD in Environmental Science, as well as an MBA, and have over 10-years of international project experience. I currently lead on International Development for UK Agri-Tech centre, Crop Health and Protection.
I have a particular passion for slugs that started during my PhD studies, which focused on improving the production efficiency of BASF’s (formally Becker Underwood) slug control product, as well as developing new international retail markets. On completion of my PhD, I worked as a project manager for BASF as part of the Knowledge Transfer Partnership scheme, and then went on to work with Bioforsk (NIBIO) in Norway, looking at the impact of the Spanish slug. I spent a year’s secondment at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture in Tanzania, before going on to establish my own research group, linking innovation and industry, to find a bi-solution to slug pests.
I recently completed an MBA with Distinction from Robert Gordon University (RGU), with a focus on developing a business plan to spin-out my bio-molluscicide research.
As an outcome of this academic achievement, I won the Head of Business School award from the University, and also won the LANTRA Learner of the Year award, which is an award body that recognises achievements in the land-based and environmental sector. I was selected as one of the top 5 MBA graduates in the world by Association of MBA’s and student of the year by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).
In addition, I was awarded the prestigious CARAS award from the Royal Highland Agricultural Society of Scotland for my contribution to agriculture, and received a Highly Commended from the Helping it Happen awards acknowledging my impact on the rural sector.
In 2018, I was selected as the Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland and the Agricultural & Horticultural Development Board’s Nuffield Farming Scholar – winning the HSBC Silver Salver for my report. As part of my scholarship, I travelled the globe in a quest to find a solution to slug pests as well as looking at wider agricultural challenges and opportunities. I went onto be the Secretary for Nuffield Scotland and then the Chairman in 2021.
In 2019, I received the U35 award from the Royal Northern Agricultural Society for my contribution towards agriculture and in 2020 became as Associate of CARAS (ARAgS) and joined the Boards of the Oxford Farming Conference and the Africa Scotland Business Network.
I am passionate about inspiring the next generation of agriculturalists through my role as a STEM ambassador, LANTRA industry champion, #LockdownLearning contributor and lead on the OFC Scholars programme.
I am also a Chartered Manager and Fellow of Chartered Management Institute (CMgr FCMI), Champion for Inclusivefarms and Honorary Fellow of the University of Aberdeen (UK).
You can follow my adventures via my twitter: @DrJennaRoss.
Riding the Slime Wave 