Dr. Jessica Agnew
Dr. Jessica Agnew is a global food systems expert dedicated to advancing equitable, resilient agri-food systems and improving access to nutritious foods worldwide. As Managing Editor of the Global Agricultural Productivity (GAP) Report at Virginia Tech and co-lead of the GAP Initiative, she develops and executes strategies to drive investment and action in agricultural productivity growth to meet the world’s evolving agricultural needs. In her concurrent role as Associate Director of CALS Global, she leads initiatives to internationalize the talents of faculty and students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS).
Drawing from her background as a former chef, Dr. Agnew brings a unique perspective to her research portfolio. Her research focuses on innovative approaches to making nutrient-rich foods more accessible to low-income populations and strengthening agri-food value chains through digital technologies, with a particular focus on blockchain applications in Kenyan agriculture. She has led international research projects, including a USAID-funded study on blockchain technology’s potential to improve food security through African Indigenous Vegetables in Western Kenya.
Dr. Agnew holds a PhD in Planning, Governance, and Globalization and a Master of Public Health from Virginia Tech, along with master’s and bachelor’s degrees in Food, Agriculture and Resource Economics from the University of Guelph. Her doctoral research explored market-based approaches to addressing micronutrient malnutrition in Mozambique, reflecting her commitment to finding practical solutions to global nutrition challenges.
In her current work, she collaborates with a vibrant global community to create meaningful impact in food systems, environmental sustainability, economic development, and public health. Her expertise spans market-based nutrition solutions, agricultural innovation.
