Ilya Raskin, Ph.D. has over 20 years of experience in academic research in plant biology and pharmacology and 5 years of experience in industrial research in plant biotechnology. Dr. Raskin received a Ph.D. from Michigan State University in 1984 and joined the faculty of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, in 1989 where he currently works as Professor II and President of the Global Institute for Bio-Exploration (GIBEX). He is also Founder, Director and Chief Scientific Advisor for Phytomedics Inc., Nutrasorb LLC, and Food4Good Inc. These successful companies specialize in plant-derived functional foods, supplements and pharmaceuticals. Dr. Raskin also serves as an Associate Director of the NIH Center for Botanicals and Metabolic Syndrome.
 
Dr. Raskin earned an international reputation through his work on plant growth regulation, plant immunity to diseases, phytoremediation, and, in the last decade, for his research in plant-derived foods and medicines. He is also actively involved in international bioexploration and conservation. Dr. Raskin’s research is featured in over 160 major scientific publications and in numerous popular press articles. He has been listed as one of 108 most cited researchers in Plant and Animal Science (Institute of Scientific Information). Among his most cited scientific publications are four cover articles in Science and Nature. Dr. Raskin was also awarded 20 patents covering the discoveries made in his laboratory. Dr. Raskin has received a number of prestigious awards, including the Albert Shull Award for outstanding contributions to plant biology and the Thomas Alva Edison Patent Awards for revolutionary product innovation and scientific breakthrough. Dr. Raskin was named the Century Innovator in Botany by the U.S. News & World Report.