Researcher profile

Dr Omid Ansari

Founder & Managing Director of HEMPGenTech and HGT Seed Services, I lead integrated breeding and commercialisation programs for industrial hemp (Cannabis spp.) and sesame. My work spans discovery to deployment, molecular and quantitative genetics, multi-environment testing, and varietal advancement through to certified seed, agronomy SOPs, and partner delivery at scale. I direct the GENE-UP™ breeding platform, combining quantitative genetics and high-throughput phenotyping to deliver fibre, grain, and dual-purpose cultivars with predictable performance and clear grower ROI. Across 3 decades in academia and industry (Australia, Canada, USA), I’ve built end to end pipelines that link research quality to commercial reliability, OECD-aligned certification, Plant Breeder’s Rights, quality assurance, and data-driven agronomy. Prior roles include Director of R&D at Ecofibre, academic appointments in plant breeding and genetics, and leadership of cross-sector collaborations with universities and industry. Research and product interests: genotype × environment modelling; trait dissection for fibre quality, grain composition, standability, and stress tolerance; root to shoot phenotyping; seed systems and certification; and scalable agronomy for irrigated and dryland systems. Current priorities at HEMPGenTech/HGT Seed Services include multi-site evaluation, rapid cycling in GENE-UP™, and market-aligned licensing frameworks that de-risk adoption for growers and processors. I welcome collaborations on breeding, certification, agronomy trials, and responsible commercial deployment in hemp and sesame.