Hale Ann Tufan is associate professor in Cornell University’s School of Integrative Plant Science. In her work with plant breeders, social scientists, and research institutions, Tufan explores how agricultural research processes and outputs can positively contribute to gender equality and social inclusion. Through her research to develop methods and approaches she enables gender+ analysis in agricultural innovation, while advocating for inclusive agricultural research by challenging power and norms in the research ecosystem.

Tufan serves in leadership positions of several grant-funded projects aimed at food security, crop improvement, seed systems, and gender relations. She is currently the priority setting co-lead of the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Crop Improvement, principal investigator of the Gender Responsive Researchers Equipped for Agricultural Transformation (GREAT) project, principal investigator of Muhogo Bora: Cassava for All, survey division lead of NextGen Cassava, and gender research lead of the Feed the Future Insect-Resistant Eggplant Partnership.

Tufan brings a multidisciplinary background to her research spanning Ph.D.-level research in molecular plant pathogen interactions, plant breeding with CIMMYT, international agricultural research for development program management, and gender research and capacity development across sub-Saharan Africa.

Tufan is the 2019 recipient of the Norman Borlaug Field Award. She completed her Ph.D. in molecular biology from the John Innes Centre, UK.