Recorded from NC State’s GES Colloquium, this podcast examines how biotechnologies take shape in the world: microbiome engineering in built environments, gene editing and gene drives, forest and agricultural genomics, data governance and equity, risk and regulation, sci-art, and public engagement in practice.

Innovating for Sustainable Agrifood Futures

Khara Grieger, PhD, Assistant Professor, Director of the GES Center at NC State | Profile

Nelson 4305 + Zoom | This talk highlights USDA/NIFA-funded GES research on the societal implications of genetic engineering and nanotechnology in food and agriculture, drawing on stakeholder perspectives to inform responsible innovation.

New and emerging technologies have the potential to deliver significant societal benefits and contribute to more sustainable futures. Genetic engineering in food and agriculture, for example, may enable the production of nutritious foods aligned with consumer preferences, support more environmentally sustainable protein production, and help develop crops that are resilient to a changing climate. Similarly, nanotechnology may improve the efficiency of agrochemical delivery through innovations such as nano-pesticides and nano-fertilizers and extend the shelf life of fresh-cut produce through nano-emulsion coatings.

At the same time, past experiences with novel food and agricultural technologies—such as first-generation genetic modification—highlight the importance of understanding and addressing societal concerns early in the research and development process. Integrating these perspectives can help identify potential risks, align technological development with stakeholder priorities, and support responsible innovation.

GES-centered research conducted through a USDA/NIFA-funded project examines the societal implications of genetic engineering and nanotechnology in the food and agriculture sectors. Drawing on stakeholder perspectives from case studies involving these technologies, the research highlights key societal considerations and offers recommendations for ensuring that emerging innovations contribute to sustainable agrifood futures.

These insights may be particularly valuable for researchers developing new food and agricultural technologies involving genetic engineering or nanotechnology, offering guidance on potential societal implications and stakeholder perspectives. The presentation concludes with reflections on future research directions that align with GES’s mission of integrating scientific knowledge and diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology.

Related links:

• Horgan et al., Stakeholder perceptions of GE and nano-agrifoods, 2025
• Cimadori et al., Gene Edited Animals, 2025
• Lowry et al., Nanotech for precision delivery, 2024
• Grieger and Kuzma, Novel Plant Biotech, 2023
• Kuzma et al., Parameters and practices biotech, 2023
• Download seminar poster

Khara Grieger, PhD

Dr. Grieger is currently an Assistant Professor in Environmental Health & Risk Assessment and University Faculty Scholar at NC State. She is also the new Director of the GES Center. Her research focuses on risk analysis and risk governance of emerging technologies, including genetic engineering. Her work also focuses on extending and translating complex knowledge to diverse stakeholders to inform decisions. In addition to Directing the GES Center, she is a Project Director of USDA/NIFA funded grants, Associate Director for the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at NC State, and Co-Director of the NSF-funded Science and Technologies for Phosphorus Sustainability (STEPS) Center. She has published more than 80 peer-reviewed articles and 13 book chapters on risk governance and stakeholder engagement related to emerging technologies. She is an Editor for Environment Systems and Decisions, and serves on the board of the Society for Risk Analysis (SRA). Before joining NC State, Dr. Grieger was a Senior Environmental Research Scientist at RTI International in the Health and Environmental Risk Analysis Program (2012–2019) and a Duke University Scholar (2017–2018). In those roles, she led independent research and provided technical support for federal agencies, including the FDA, EPA, NIOSH, and the U.S. Army. She obtained her PhD and MSc in Environmental Engineering from the Technical University of Denmark, where she lived and worked for nearly a decade.

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The Genetic Engineering and Society (GES) Colloquium is a seminar series that brings in speakers to present and stimulate discussion on a variety of topics related to existing and proposed biotechnologies and their place within broader societal changes.

GES Colloquium is taught by Dr. Zack Brown, and the seminars serve as a great opportunity for our students to build their networks and grow as professionals. To support their efforts, we encourage you to join our in-person seminars, which will now take place in Nelson 4305.

Remember, we regularly post colloquium seminars as videos on Panopto and on our GES Lectures podcast, allowing you to revisit or catch up on these recordings at your convenience.

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GES Center at NC State University—Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology.

Produced by Patti Mulligan, Communications Director, GES Center, NC State

Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co