Biography

William Lesser's research focuses on the implications of agricultural biotechnology products on production costs and the size, structure, and geographic distribution of farming. He also concentrates on the costs, benefits, and structural implications of intellectual property - particularly patents - for plants, seed, and animals. His analyses include comparisons between the U.S., Europe, and developing countries. Professor Lesser worked on the application of intellectual property rights for the implementation of the Rio Biodiversity Convention at the International Academy of the Environment in Geneva, Switzerland, and he was the acting executive director of the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA), which is responsible for transferring new agricultural technologies to developing countries. He has advised the governments of Brazil, Indonesia, and Bangladesh, among others, on intellectual property matters and, in 2000, established the Cornell-in-India Agribusiness Executive Management Program. His other research interests include food distribution efficiency, technology transfer, and livestock marketing.