Division Vine and Berry Fruits [DVIN]

ISHS Elections – Chairperson – Candidates
Division Vine and Berry Fruits [DVIN]

 [1] Dr. Arif Atak (Turkey)

Prof. Atak works at Bursa Uludağ University, Agriculture Faculty, Department of Horticulture, in Bursa, Türkiye. He studies mainly with table grapes, kiwifruit, and some berry fruits. He was a project coordinator for international projects, especially the development of new grape varieties with superior characteristics. He developed and registered new table grape varieties. Also, gives lectures on viticulture (including smart and organic viticulture), some berry fruits, and kiwifruit growing at the University. He is currently the Vice-Chair of the Vine and Berry Fruits Division of the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS). He convened the X International Symposium on Kiwifruit as an ISHS organisation. He was the Convener of the “XIII International Conference on Grapevine Breeding, Genetics and Management” 21-24 August 2023, Türkiye (ISHS organisation). He also co-convened the Viticulture and Winemaking between Tradition and Innovation Symposium at ISHS European Horticultural Congress, 12-16 May 2024, in Romania. He has been an invited keynote speaker at many international events on grapevine breeding, kiwifruit breeding, cultivation techniques, and the effects of climate change on viticulture.

[2] Dr. Bruno Mezzetti (Italy)

Prof. Mezzetti’s career, more than 30 years of academic and research activity, focuses on genetics, genetic improvement, biotechnology, and cultivation systems to enhance the sustainability and quality of fruit production. Prof. Bruno Mezzetti’s work integrates innovative biotechnological approaches (cisgenesis and RNAi) with field studies to identify genetic and environmental factors affecting strawberry and berry crops. He is the author of 270 scientific publications (SCOPUS H-index: 57) and numerous book chapters and extension works. Prof. Mezzetti has coordinated six European projects and several national initiatives, and as coordinator of a strawberry breeding program he is co-holder of ten cultivar patents. Since 2022, he has chaired the ISHS Division Vine and Berry Fruits. He was recognized as a Highly Cited Researcher for three consecutive years (2019–2021). In 2021, President Mattarella awarded him the title of Ufficiale of the Italian Republic.