WASHINGTON (March 5, 2012)—Ricardo Salvador today joined the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) as the director of the Food and Environment Program. He left his post as program officer for food, health and wellbeing with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to take the job. Salvador will work out of UCS’s Washington, DC, office.

“Ricardo’s forward-thinking vision and thoughtful leadership style will certainly aid his efforts to develop and advocate for effective, science-based food and farm policies,” said UCS Executive Director Kathleen Rest. “He is enthusiastic, innovative, and widely considered one of the foremost experts on sustainable agriculture. We are thrilled to welcome Ricardo to UCS.”

Salvador, an agronomist, has focused mainly on corn crops, crop production techniques, sustainability, and systems analysis. Prior to his stint at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, he was an associate professor of agronomy at Iowa State University and an extensionist with Texas A&M University.

“Ricardo’s passion for sustainable agriculture is evident and he is a well-known leader in this arena,” said Margaret Mellon, the former director of the Food and Environment Program, who remains on staff as a senior scientist. “I have no doubts that Ricardo will be an asset to this organization. We are lucky to have him.”

Salvador is excited about joining UCS. “This organization offers a unique opportunity to combine science, advocacy and communication,” he said. “The Food and Environment team is a smart and committed bunch. I’m looking forward to working with them to advocate for food and farm policies that will improve our environment and ensure a healthy food supply for all.

The Union of Concerned Scientists is the leading U.S. science-based nonprofit organization working for a healthy environment and a safer world. Founded in 1969, UCS is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and also has offices in Berkeley, Chicago and Washington, D.C.