Eric Gerbrandt is a Plant Scientist with a background in plant breeding and genetics from the University of Saskatchewan where he studied haskap genetic diversity from 2010-2017. Currently, he is the Research Director for the BC Blueberry Council, Raspberry Industry Development Council, and BC Strawberry Grower’s Association, managing and developing the research portfolio for these three industry groups. Eric is an adjunct in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems at the University of British Columbia and spends much of his time supporting research in genetics and breeding, pest and disease management, and improved pollinator health by collaborating with scientists across a range of academic, government, and private institutions. With the aim of developing production solutions for BC berry growers, his own research program focuses on berry crop horticultural management and variety evaluation. Much of this research takes place on Eric’s research farm in Chilliwack and the remainder is spread across numerous commercial farms in collaboration with berry growers across the Fraser Valley.