Josep Usall i Rodié

Josep Usall i Rodié (Alguaire, Spain, 1966) has been the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA) since 2018. He is an agricultural engineer (Polytechnic University of Catalonia, UPC, 1984-1987), agronomic engineer (UPC, 1987-1989), specialist in international trade (Terrassa Chamber of Commerce, 1991-92) and has a PhD in agricultural engineering from the University of Lleida (1995). Linked to the IRTA since 1992 as a researcher in postharvest diseases, he has published around 200 scientific articles in indexed journals, has written twelve book chapters and some seventy informational articles. He has held various management positions at IRTA: he coordinated the Sustainable Plant Protection programme (2009-2012), directed the Postharvest Technical Service (2002-2018), headed up the Postharvest programme (2012-2018) and, since 2018, has been the CEO. In addition, between 2011 and 2018 he coordinated the Fruit.Net programme, aimed at optimising the application of phytosanitary products and reducing fruit wastage in Catalonia. Between 1994 and 2011 he combined his research activity with the directorship of the International Cooperation Centre of the University of Lleida (UdL).