AUSTIN, TX - I have to give it up for our industry’s researchers. Your time, dedication, and focus are characteristics I cannot even attempt to emulate. Leaning heavily into the expertise of its own research team, Revol Greens has named a new executive. Research and development (R&D) expert Mohammed Oufattole, MBA, has been named as the new Chief Technology Officer.
“Revol Greens is an innovation-first company, and I’ve been impressed with their commitment to bringing more high-quality greens to households across the country through sustainable growing methods,” says Oufattole. “From its Plant-Fed Organic™ nutrient source to its water-saving practices, and high-quality lettuce varieties grown at scale, I am looking forward to helping redefine our food system practices and deliver healthier, more sustainable food options.”
Oufattole brings over 20 years of experience in life sciences and agricultural biotechnology research, having led a broad range of crop improvement applications and multiple R&D programs. He has successfully led research teams through start-up funding cycles as well, a press release noted.
As Chief Technology Officer, Oufattole will oversee Revol Greens’ variety selection and farm digitization strategy from its Austin, Texas-based location, which is near its 20-acre Temple, Texas, greenhouse that is under construction. In this role, he will drive varietal improvements to bring tastier and more nutritious products to the market.
“Since our inception, Revol Greens has pursued a dual-continent R&D strategy, with much of our testing and development conducted at our R&D center in the Netherlands, where the art and science of greenhouse growing was perfected and also in close proximity to our strategic partners,” says Michael B. Wainscott, Chief Executive Officer. “Mohammed will guide the expansion of our U.S.-based R&D program, build our domestic R&D team in Austin, and leverage his expertise in data and plant biology to increase production, environmental controls and automation.”
Prior to this position, Oufattole worked at Benson Hill, where he served as VP of Research and Development for nearly six years. He helped build the R&D organization from the ground up and led several growth areas in the company, including the founding of a state-of-the-art discovery and product development pipeline, integrating capabilities from gene editing, biotechnology, and molecular breeding applications. He also oversaw strategic partnerships, licensing agreements for germplasm, and more.
Prior to joining Benson Hill, he spent 10 years with Bayer Crop Science, where he served in multiple scientific leadership positions within the Ag Biotechnology division, including an assignment as Director of the company’s Biotech Research Center in India.
Oufattole is an author and co-author on over 15 patent applications, seven granted patents, and more than 20 publications in peer-reviewed journals. He completed his postdoctoral training, along with an MBA, at Washington State University, and earned a PhD in Molecular Biology and MSc. in Biological Sciences from the Université Catholique de Louvain in Belgium. He graduated with a BSc. in Botany from his native country of Morocco.
Congratulations to Mohammed Oufattole on this exciting appointment!
