Dr. Howard-Yana Shapiro and Prof. Jeremy Hill join Prof. Mark Tester and Dr. John Bedbrook to guide real-world deployment of BioLumic’s xTraitsTM platform
CHAMPAIGN, Illinois – July 15, 2025 – BioLumic, the only agricultural biotechnology company that programs seed traits using light, today announced the appointment of Dr. Howard-Yana Shapiro, distinguished senior fellow at CIFOR-ICRAF, and Dr. Jeremy Hill, chief science & technology officer at Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited, to its Scientific Advisory Group.
Dr. Shapiro and Professor Hill join founding members Professor Mark Tester - internationally renowned for pioneering the science of salt-tolerant crops - and Dr. John Bedbrook, former DuPont Vice President and inventor on more than 50 plant-biotech patents. Together, the four advisors bring a uniquely diverse mix of agronomic and biotechnology discovery for world-leading innovations.
“Bringing on Howard and Jeremy strengthens an advisory team with a proven track record of scaling breakthrough science from lab bench to global impact,” said Steve Sibulkin, CEO of BioLumic. “Their insights will accelerate the impact of our light-signal xTraits™ platform, helping ensure it delivers meaningful value for farmers, industry, and the planet—while advancing a more resilient food system.”
BioLumic’s patented xTraits™ platform delivers precisely timed UV-light signals to activate plants’ own gene-expression pathways. The result is double-digit gains in yield, quality, and resilience in a fraction of the time and cost of conventional trait development, and all without altering DNA. Advanced programs in corn, soybeans, rice, and forage crops are already under way with multiple partners, including food production companies, charitable entities, and leading seed companies.
New Scientific Advisory Group Members:
Dr. Howard-Yana Shapiro is a 50-year crop-science pioneer who led global agriculture initiatives at Mars, Inc., and founded the African Orphan Crops Consortium, which is working to improve 101 nutrient-dense crops critical to food security across Africa. He has driven scientific efforts that combine biodiversity, nutrition, and equitable access to high-performing crops.
“I am excited to support BioLumic’s pioneering work in using light to naturally enhance plant performance,” said Shapiro. “Harnessing the power of biology and light opens up powerful new pathways for crop productivity and resilience traits.”
Professor Jeremy Hill brings decades of experience in science, technology, nutrition and sustainability across the entire farm-to-consumer dairy value chain. As Fonterra’s Chief Science & Technology Officer, and former President of the International Dairy Federation, he helped lead the development of international greenhouse gas and nutrition frameworks for agriculture and food systems. In 2020, Prof. Hill was awarded the Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the dairy industry and scientific research in the Queen's Birthday Honours.
“BioLumic’s innovation sits at the nexus of science, sustainability, and food system transformation,” said Hill. “I look forward to contributing to BioLumic’s efforts to shape the future of sustainable agriculture.”
BioLumic’s Scientific Advisory Group brings deep expertise across plant science, trait commercialization, global food systems, and sustainability.
About BioLumic
Founded in 2013, BioLumic is a U.S.- and New Zealand-based agricultural biotechnology company using light signaling as a programming language for plants. Its patented xTraits™ technology unlocks non-GMO genetic expression traits to enhance yield, composition, and crop resilience through a one-time, light-based seed application. BioLumic traits are scalable, fast to develop, and easily integrated into existing seed systems. Learn more at www.biolumic.com or contact info@biolumic.com.
