As a general principle I feel strongly that there is need for ethical and honest research of plants with the open objective of developing for-profit markets. I have advocated for this position within the Society for Economic Botany and other scientific organizations seeking to develop and conserve uses of plants and plant environments.
Non-disclosure agreements and long-term relationships with some companies prevent me from sharing much more. However, references can be provided who can speak to my expertise and contributions to product development.
More than a decade ago I was invited to evaluate one plant product that companies were seeking to import from the Pacific Islands. I was asked by multiple European companies to help with the process of their application in the EU, and eventually the work I did was to become part of the public record. I do not know if this process has become public, but I was not bound by non-disclosure agreements and was then able to use some of the information learned to produce two publications about the plant, Morinda citrifolia, or noni.
Plant products are THE basis of just about every serious effort to develop a sustainable economy that does not simply erode natural resource assets. Therefore, planning to identify, deploy, and wisely manage plants is pretty important for many modern development projects.
In the Pacific Islands I have worked several times for Nations and non-government organizations interested in identification of plant diversity that should either be protected, commercialized, or eradicated. See for example work for the Rongelap Atoll Local Government. These projects have typically involved diverse teams of scientists and our shared roles have been to explore and provide sufficient interpretation about how the outside world would see the resources so that local decision-makers can act effectively in managing what they have.
Conservation blended with development is a hallmark of many projects I have worked on. Examples are listed here.
Sustainable orchard and vineyard management
Since 2005 I have been drawn into a growing number of projects largely centered on development of cider apple orchards, but also on vineyards and the wider matter of sustainable agriculture. Within these projects I have contributed information, experiments, and expertise on how to develop integrated systems that over time should become more and more self-sufficient through a process of continuous improvement and planning.
General concepts for sustainable vineyards have been well-developed for California and a few other regions (e.g., Chile) but careful examination reveals underpinning assumptions (e.g., water limitations) that are often not applicable elsewhere or are potentially destructive if these systems are adopted without consideration of local economies, ecologies, and societies. My role has been to work with land owners to develop appropriate targets and plans for long-term management that are maximized for THEIR particular situations. It is not at all surprising to see two orchards/vineyards in the same region that need different strategies because of different strengths and weaknesses.
Training to support consultancy projects
Because projects often require more than the ability to do internet searches, type on a computer, speak to people, and take photos, I have developed additional skills beyond what was formally learned in anthropology, pharmacy, and botany.