Isha Datar is a pioneering voice in the field of sustainability and food innovation, widely recognised for her groundbreaking work in cellular agriculture. Over the past decade, she has transformed how we think about food production, championing the creation of animal products without the use of animals. As a motivational and sustainability speaker, Isha is known for challenging conventional food systems and inspiring audiences to embrace more ethical, scientific approaches to food security. She is frequently hired to speak at conferences, universities, and corporate events because of her unique ability to merge scientific insight with compelling storytelling, urging the world to rethink meat and the future of food.
Isha’s journey began with a strong academic foundation in the sciences. She earned her BSc in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Alberta in 2009, followed by a Masters in Biotechnology from the University of Toronto in 2013. Early in her career, she worked as a research assistant at the University of Alberta, exploring improvements to low-quality meat, which sparked her interest in cellular agriculture. Her transition into this emerging field was marked by both passion and purpose, as she recognised the potential of biotechnology to solve some of the most pressing issues in global food systems.
Throughout the past decade, Isha has achieved several major milestones. In 2013, she became Executive Director of New Harvest, a non-profit dedicated to supporting cellular agriculture research. She co-founded Perfect Day in 2014, a company producing cow-free milk using yeast and DNA technology, followed by Clara Foods, which creates egg proteins without chickens. Her publication “Possibilities for an In-Vitro Meat Production System” significantly advanced the conversation on alternative proteins. With accolades including being a Director’s Fellow at MIT Media Lab and a Foundation Fellow of the Shuttleworth Foundation, Isha continues to influence both the scientific and public domains of sustainable food.
Audiences and organisations invite Isha to speak because she brings clarity, vision, and urgency to a critical global conversation. With the ability to communicate complex science in an accessible and engaging manner, she inspires action towards a more sustainable and ethical food future. Her talks offer not only insight but hope – a compelling reason to reimagine what’s possible on our plates.
