Kara E. Leong

Kara E. Leong Email and Phone Number

Executive Director of the Integrative Center for Alternative Meat and Protein @ Integrative Center for Alternative Meat and Protein
Davis, CA, US
Kara E. Leong's Location
Davis, California, United States, United States
Kara E. Leong's Contact Details

Kara E. Leong personal email

About Kara E. Leong

I am the Executive Director of the Integrative Center for Alternative Meat and Protein (iCAMP), a dynamic partnership between UC Davis, UCLA, USDA, The Culinary Institute of America, University of Maryland-Baltimore County, and Solano Community College. At iCAMP, I co-lead a team of over 55 cross-disciplinary experts specializing in platform technologies and translational research. Together, we are dedicated to advancing plant, fungal (both biomass & precision fermentation), and cell-based meat and protein innovation and biomanufacturing, while supporting critical areas such as consumer and sensory science, food safety, regulation and policy, culinary development, and entrepreneurship.Our mission at iCAMP is to leverage our collective strengths in biotechnology, agriculture, food & fermentation science, and biomanufacturing to accelerate the commercialization of sustainable alternative proteins, meeting the global demand projected by 2050.In my role, I focus on forging strategic partnerships, cultivating industry relations, proactive public outreach, and fundraising efforts, while overseeing the overall management of the organization. I am also deeply committed to supporting student initiatives, enhancing workforce and technical training, and fostering entrepreneurial development.I am passionate about environmental stewardship, promoting national and global food security, innovating food systems, and advancing equitable human nutrition and agricultural sustainability through education, strategic partnerships, and fostering robust interactive networks and ecosystems.I have a deep background in biopharma, agtech, and alternative protein research. I have worked in 7 academic research labs and three biotechnology startups. I am a certified fundraiser and supported 7 interdisciplinary programs and centers across UC Davis; including the University startup program and tech transfer offices. And when not at work, I garden. 😉

Kara E. Leong's Current Company Details
Integrative Center for Alternative Meat and Protein

Integrative Center For Alternative Meat And Protein

View
Executive Director of the Integrative Center for Alternative Meat and Protein
Davis, CA, US
Employees:
110
Kara E. Leong Work Experience Details
  • Integrative Center For Alternative Meat And Protein
    Executive Director Of The Integrative Center For Alternative Meat And Protein
    Integrative Center For Alternative Meat And Protein
    Davis, Ca, Us
  • Integrative Center For Alternative Meat And Protein
    Executive Director Of The Integrative Center For Alternative Meat & Protein
    Integrative Center For Alternative Meat And Protein Jan 2024 - Present
    I am the Executive Director of the Integrative Center for Alternative Meat and Protein (iCAMP). The Center is a partnership between UC Davis, UCLA, USDA, The Culinary Institute of America, UMBC, Solano Community College and consists of +55 cross-disciplinary experts of platform technologies and translational research working on the development of plant, fungal and cell-based meat and proteins. iCAMP’s mission is to leverage our strengths in biotechnology, agriculture, food & fermentation science, and bioprocessing to accelerate the commercialization of sustainable alternative proteins to fulfill the global need predicted by 2050.My primary work is building strategic partnerships, strengthening industry relations, proactive public outreach, fundraising, and overall organization management. In addition, I support student activities, workforce/technical training, and entrepreneurial development.
  • Uc Davis Cultivated Meat Consortium
    Executive Director
    Uc Davis Cultivated Meat Consortium Jul 2023 - Present
    Executive Director of the UC Davis Cultivated Meat Consortium (CMC), the largest academic body in cell-based meat research and the first academic program to receive state and federal funding support.  The Consortium consists of +50 cross-disciplinary experts of platform technologies and translational research working on the development of cultivated meat and high value proteins. The CMC is now an integral part of the Integrative Center for Alternative Meat and Protein (iCAMP). The CMC’s mission is to leverage University strengths in biotechnology, agriculture, food science, and bioprocessing to accelerate the commercialization of sustainable alternative proteins to fulfill the global need predicted by 2050.My primary work is building strategic partnerships, strengthening industry relations, proactive public outreach, fundraising, and overall organization management. In addition, I support student activities, workforce/technical training, and entrepreneurial development.
  • Turtletree
    Chief Of Staff
    Turtletree Feb 2022 - Feb 2023
    Sacramento , California , Us
    Coordinate and support TurtleTree's strategic business and academic partnerships, internal and external communications across an international company. Crafting strategy and implementing investor engagement, product launch and brand promotion events. Prepare and coordinate management presentations and proposals for collaborative multi-team projects. Supporting business partnerships, investment fundraising activities, product manufacturing, and R&D operations. Strategically leveraging and growing TurtleTree's professional networks and external relations for greater company exposure and positioning.
  • University Of California, Davis
    Associate Director Of Development
    University Of California, Davis Oct 2021 - Feb 2022
    Davis, California, Us
    External relations and major gift officer in the Office of the Provost building a pipeline of donors, strategic networks and connections to UC Davis. Direct support for Provost Initiatives, Undergraduate Education & Research, Public Scholarship and Engagement and the Manetti Shrem Museum. Develop and implement strategic donor and stakeholder engagement events, activities and outreach.
  • University Of California, Davis
    Assistant Director Of Development
    University Of California, Davis Jan 2019 - Oct 2021
    Davis, California, Us
    External relations and fundraising officer in the Office of Research building connections and support for UC Davis COVID-19 medical research, Alzheimer's research, Gene Therapy Center, Biotechnology Program, Innovation Access (intellectual property/tech transfer), Venture Catalyst (startup/entrepreneur program), Western Center for Agricultural Health & Safety, and the Feminist Research Institute.
  • University Of California, Davis
    Graduate Student Researcher
    University Of California, Davis Sep 2016 - Jul 2019
    Davis, California, Us
    First grant to UC Davis from the Oregon Wine Board to examine Wrotham Pinot noir, a rare clone brought to the U.S. from England by legendary BV Winemaker Dick Peterson in the early 1980’s. This clone has been observed to exhibit significant grape powdery mildew (PM) resistance and has been used to produce both high quality still and sparkling wine. Research goals are multi-fold: 1) examine phenotypic PM disease resistance, 2) conduct genetic analysis, 3) compare clonal wine fermentations, 4) analyze biochemical and sensory profiles, and 5) permanently preserve heritage clone at UC Davis Foundation Plant Services repository. This research is a collaboration with Professors Andrew Walker, Dario Cantu, and Ron Runnebaum of University of California at Davis.
  • Craft Wine Association
    Outreach & Development Director
    Craft Wine Association Sep 2018 - Jan 2019
    Sacramento, Ca, Us
    Identify, qualify and cultivate potential donors, vendor affiliates and winery members. Develop strategic industry relationships and opportunities. Organize, manage and attend events for educational outreach and to support association wineries. Develop display and marketing materials.
  • Usda
    Graduate Student Researcher
    Usda Jun 2017 - Nov 2017
    Washington, Dc, Us
    Contracted to work the 2017 harvest with USDA Soil Scientist Kerri Steenwerth to examine and identify the microbiome organisms in vineyard soils and must fermentations in 15 Pinot noir vineyard sites across California and Oregon. Established a molecular genetics research team and laboratory to sample/examine soil, must DNA and prepare sequencing libraries.
  • Local Color Design
    Owner And Principal
    Local Color Design Oct 2000 - Sep 2016
    Owner & Principal of an award winning design company in the Davis, Woodland & Greater Sacramento area for 16 years.
  • Empire Farms
    Tissue Culture Research Specialist
    Empire Farms May 1998 - Jun 2001
    Successfully led the research & development to increase the production of virus free Allium sativum (garlic) by 250% above industry standards.
  • Biosource Technologies, Inc.
    Research Associate
    Biosource Technologies, Inc. Feb 1995 - May 1998
    Developed patented PCR Geneware techniques to engineer high value biopharma Tobacco Mosaic viral vectors. Established a Nicotiana hybrid breeding program. Team training supervisor. Company representative facilitating functions with UC Davis Internship & Career Center.

Kara E. Leong Skills

Leadership Writing Social Media Strategic Partnerships Annual Giving Art Public Speaking Time Efficient Sustainable Agriculture Sales Self Confidence Business Networking Event Planning Networking Stewardship Communication Self Motivated Planned Giving Team Leadership Landscaping Strategic Planning Fundraising Community Development Volunteer Management Nonprofit Organizations Sustainability Proposal Writing Agribusiness Training Molecular And Cellular Biology Community Outreach Customer Service Environmental Awareness Project Planning Management Teamwork Project Management Strategic Communications Research Agronomy Foundations Agriculture Landscape Design Planting Plans Corporate Relations Scientific Communications Sustainable Design Philanthropy

Kara E. Leong Education Details

  • University Of California, Davis
    University Of California, Davis
    Viticulture And Enology
  • Uc Davis Continuing And Professional Education
    Uc Davis Continuing And Professional Education
    Certification In Fundraising And Development
  • University Of California, Davis
    University Of California, Davis
    Landscape Architecture
  • University Of California, Davis
    University Of California, Davis
    Plant Biology - Molecular Genetics & Cell Biology Emphasis

Frequently Asked Questions about Kara E. Leong

What company does Kara E. Leong work for?

Kara E. Leong works for Integrative Center For Alternative Meat And Protein

What is Kara E. Leong's role at the current company?

Kara E. Leong's current role is Executive Director of the Integrative Center for Alternative Meat and Protein.

What is Kara E. Leong's email address?

Kara E. Leong's email address is kl****@****aol.com

What schools did Kara E. Leong attend?

Kara E. Leong attended University Of California, Davis, Uc Davis Continuing And Professional Education, University Of California, Davis, University Of California, Davis.

What skills is Kara E. Leong known for?

Kara E. Leong has skills like Leadership, Writing, Social Media, Strategic Partnerships, Annual Giving, Art, Public Speaking, Time Efficient, Sustainable Agriculture, Sales, Self Confidence, Business Networking.

Free Chrome Extension

Find emails, phones & company data instantly

Find verified emails from LinkedIn profiles
Get direct phone numbers & mobile contacts
Access company data & employee information
Works directly on LinkedIn - no copy/paste needed
Get Chrome Extension - Free

Aero Online

Your AI prospecting assistant

Download 750 million emails and 100 million phone numbers

Access emails and phone numbers of over 750 million business users. Instantly download verified profiles using 20+ filters, including location, job title, company, function, and industry.