Isha Datar

Biotechnologist, Cellular Agriculture Pioneer & Executive Director of New Harvest Driving Global Innovation in Sustainable Food Systems

Isha Datar’s Biography:

Isha Datar is a pioneering leader in cellular agriculture, recognised internationally for reshaping how the world thinks about food, sustainability and biotechnology. As Executive Director of New Harvest and a long-standing advocate for responsible innovation, she has become a prominent speaker on the future of food production and its potential to reduce global waste and environmental impact. Her ability to communicate scientific ideas with clarity and purpose has positioned her at the forefront of conversations on sustainable protein and climate-positive technologies.

Isha’s academic foundations provided a springboard for her future influence. She received a B.S. from the University of Alberta in 2009, where her interest in reimagining food systems began to take shape. She then earned her M.Biotech from the University of Toronto Mississauga in 2013, gaining a multidisciplinary understanding of biotechnology and its applications. During this period, she published an early and influential paper on the possibilities of in-vitro meat production, marking her as one of the first researchers to articulate a practical vision for cellular agriculture.

Her career advanced rapidly as she moved into leadership and entrepreneurship. In 2013, she became Executive Director of New Harvest, where she continues to guide funding, research and collaboration in the cellular agriculture sector. She also co-founded Muufri, now Perfect Day, and Clara Foods, now The EVERY Company, two pioneering ventures that create animal-free dairy and egg proteins through biotechnology. These ventures have helped catalyse a new era in sustainable food innovation and demonstrated the commercial potential of science-led solutions.

Isha’s work has attracted significant national and international recognition. She has been featured in outlets such as USA Today, Toronto Life, The Calgary Herald, NPR’s Science Friday, The New Republic, Food & Wine and the National Observer. She has been named a Change Agent by Canadian Business and listed among Food Tank’s Leaders to Watch. Maclean’s also included her in its Top 10 Food Titans, crediting her with coining the term cellular agriculture. Her influence continues to grow as she champions a future in which food production is smarter, cleaner and more sustainable.

Why Hire Isha Datar?

Isha is hired for her ability to articulate the future of food with clarity, evidence and forward-thinking insight. As a pioneer of cellular agriculture, she offers audiences a rare blend of scientific expertise, entrepreneurial experience and environmental vision. Her 2022 TED Talk, “How We Could Eat Real Meat Without Harming Animals”, alongside her leadership at New Harvest and involvement in breakthrough biotech start-ups, demonstrates her capacity to inspire action and reshape thinking. Organisations seeking authoritative, solutions-focused perspectives on sustainability, innovation and food systems find Isha a compelling and influential speaker.

Isha Datar’s Career Highlights:

Below showcases Isha Datar’s inspirational career from agriculture to business and more:

• 2025 – She led New Harvest Canada as it launched a major new initiative, the CAPE Project.
• 2022 – Delivered a TED Talk on the future of cellular agriculture and sustainable food production.
• 2019 – Named one of 25 Food and Agriculture Leaders to Watch by Food Tank.
• 2016 – Recognised as a Change Agent by Canadian Business for her impact on biotechnology and food innovation.
• 2015 – Featured by major media outlets for her leadership in cellular agriculture, expanding public awareness of the field.
• 2014 – Co-founded Clara Foods, now The EVERY Company, developing animal-free proteins.
• 2014 – Co-founded Muufri, now Perfect Day, creating dairy proteins without animals.
• 2013 – Appointed Executive Director of New Harvest, guiding research and investment into cellular agriculture.
• 2013 – Completed her M.Biotech at the University of Toronto Mississauga.
• 2009 – Published an early academic paper on in-vitro meat production, influencing emerging research in cellular agriculture.