The Society for Ethnobotany

SEB Fall Members-Only Virtual Panel Discussion:
Alternative Avenues for Funding Your Ethnobotanical Research

Event Description
Join us for a dynamic virtual panel as we explore strategies for securing alternative funding sources to support scientific research programs. In a time of tightening traditional grant opportunities, our panelists will share practical insights and real-world experiences on how to leverage partnerships and explore new avenues to fund your own research. Learn how to think beyond conventional funding models and build more sustainable, resilient programs.

Date:
Friday, 14 November 2025
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM, CST Time Zone (e.g., Chicago)

Speakers:

• Dr. Christine Cutucache
  Trained as a Biomedical Researcher, Dr. Cutucache held an endowed, tenured, senior level director position for nearly a decade at a major urban institution. She has also served as CEO or President of multiple companies with successful exits, and currently serves as Founder and CEO of Cutucache Consolidated, and serves on the Board of Directors for non-profits in areas of equity and education. Dr. Cutucache aims to empower others through data to generate strong returns on investment, to include diversification of funding streams and the successful retention of top-notch talent. She enjoys supporting individuals and small teams with impactful professional development experiences.
  
  
• Dr. John de la Parra
  Dr. John de la Parra is an ethnobotanist and plant chemist who serves as Director of the Food Initiative at The Rockefeller Foundation. In this role, he leads global efforts to build a more nourishing, regenerative, and just food system. His portfolio includes work on regenerative agriculture, Indigenous food systems, and school feeding strategies around the world, as well as the ethical integration of AI into food systems. He also spearheaded the creation of The Periodic Table of Food Initiative, the world’s most comprehensive effort to map the biochemical diversity of food.
  
  Dr. de la Parra has held research and teaching appointments at Harvard University, the MIT Media Lab, Tufts University, and Northeastern University. He is a former President of the Society for Ethnobotany.
  
  
• Dr. Sunshine Brosi
  Sunshine Brosi, PhD, serves as a Professor in the Department of Wildland Resources within Utah State University's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Her teaching portfolio spans a range of botany-focused courses, including rangeland ecology and forest plant identification. In addition to her faculty role, Dr. Brosi directs the Master of Natural Resources Program, as well as the undergraduate Wildlife Ecology & Management and Conservation & Restoration Ecology programs at the Price Campus. A former president of SEB, she has garnered substantial support from numerous private foundations and individual donors throughout her career. Her professional journey reflects a dynamic ability to adapt and pivot in response to evolving academic landscapes.
  
  
• Dr. Robbie Hart
  Robbie Hart is a scientist at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Within this publicly and privately funded non-profit, Robbie leads the William L. Brown Center, an endowed center of excellence dedicated to the study of useful plants and to understanding the relationships between humans, plants, and their environment, through research, conservation and interdisciplinary engagement. Robbie's own research focuses on plant ecology and adaptation knowledge in the context of climate change: in particular how mountain plants and people respond to climate impacts and how local knowledge of edible plants may affect food security. Robbie is a former Secretary and current President-Elect of the Society for Ethnobotany.

Current SEB members can register here. Please note that you will need to be logged in to register.

Not an SEB member, or need to renew? Click here to get started, or, click here to learn more about membership. Need help with membership or registration? Email Amelia Neely at aneely@ethnobotany.org.
 

Provisional schedule:

• 9:00 — Sonia Peter, SEB President — Introduction and Welcome

• 9:10 — Christine Cutucache

• 9:30 — John de la Parra

• 9:40 — Sunshine Bros

• 9:50 — Robbie Hart

• 10:00 — 30-minute moderated panel including Q&A

• 10:30 — End of Panel Discussion

Though this event is free, if you would like to support the Society with a donation, you can do so by clicking here.