The UCLA Rothman Family Institute for Food Studies, also known as RFI, was established in 2022 and has recently appointed its top leadership positions. Jack Bobo, the current director of the University of Nottingham’s Food Systems Institute and a renowned expert in sustainable food systems, has been named as the inaugural RFI executive director. With a background in serving as a senior advisor for food policy at the U.S. State Department, Bobo brings a wealth of experience to his new role, where he will focus on fostering innovative solutions to global food challenges.
In a statement, Bobo expressed his excitement about joining the RFI team at UCLA and working alongside world-class experts and students to address the pressing issues facing global food systems. He emphasized his commitment to contributing to UCLA’s mission of creating a more equitable and sustainable food system. Bobo’s appointment marks a significant step forward for RFI as it seeks to make a positive impact on the future of food studies.
Amy Rowat, who holds the Marcie H. Rothman Presidential Chair in Food Studies at UCLA, has been appointed as the inaugural RFI faculty director. Rowat, a biophysicist and professor with a strong background in integrative biology and physiology, is a global leader in the field of food studies. She is also the founder and director of the UCLA Science&Food nonprofit and the co-director of the EatWell pod of the Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center. Rowat’s recent research into cultured meat and her leadership of the UCLA Science&Food Future of Food Fellows program have garnered attention and recognition in the industry.
In her statement, Rowat highlighted the importance of food in creating a sustainable, healthy, and equitable future for all. She expressed her pride in taking a leading role in uniting various food-related efforts at UCLA to develop new initiatives for students and researchers across campus. Rowat’s appointment as the inaugural RFI faculty director underscores UCLA’s commitment to advancing food studies and driving innovation in the field.
The establishment of the UCLA Rothman Family Institute for Food Studies represents a significant milestone in the university’s efforts to address the complex challenges of the global food system. With Bobo and Rowat at the helm, RFI is poised to make a meaningful impact on the future of food studies and contribute to creating a more sustainable and equitable world for all.
Overall, the appointments of Jack Bobo as the executive director and Amy Rowat as the faculty director of the RFI at UCLA signal a new chapter in the institute’s journey towards fostering innovative solutions to global food challenges and advancing the field of food studies. Their combined expertise and leadership will undoubtedly drive RFI’s mission forward and position the institute as a key player in shaping the future of food systems worldwide.
