Dr. Gladis Zinati, Director of the Vegetable Systems Trial, is a Soil Scientist and Horticulturist at Rodale Institute. Her research focuses on evaluating practices and systems on soil health, nutrient density and methods that improve soil-crop-nutrient quality and quantity in vegetables and row crops. She also evaluates non-chemical methods to increase soil organic matter, plant resilience and reduce pest incidence in various crops. She has 30 years’ experience and holds undergraduate degrees in General Agriculture and Agriculture Engineering; a M.S. in Horticulture from the American University of Beirut, and a Ph.D. in Soil Fertility from Michigan State University.