Amber Sciligo, Ph.D.
Senior Director
Born and raised in the central valley of northern California, Dr. Sciligo is no stranger to farming and rural life. She grew up in a small town with a population of fewer than 700, where the region was dominated by conventional, industrialized tree nut and rice farming. While she loved her rural upbringing and community, she wanted an educational experience that couldn't be offered anywhere nearby and became the first person in her family to leave that hometown and pursue a college degree.
Dr. Amber Sciligo is now the Senior Director of The Organic Center where she leads the organization and its projects associated with communicating and conducting research related to organic, sustainable agriculture. During her tenure at The Organic Center, Dr. Sciligo has worked closely with researchers, industry, farmers, and policymakers to identify organic research needs, and she has collaborated on a diverse range of research programs to help fill knowledge gaps identified by stakeholders across the industry.
The Center's projects aim to help farmers and businesses more feasibly and successfully transition to, farm, and sell organic products. The Center then communicates research and results to the general public to help them understand what organic farming and businesses look like, including their challenges and successes, and the benefits they provide to the health of people and the planet. Dr. Sciligo brings the organic voice to communities at international, national, and local levels by serving on advisory committees, councils, and boards for the Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research (FFAR) and the Organic Association of Kentucky, the state in which she resides. She is currently serving as an IFOAM Organics World Board member.
Dr. Sciligo received her B.Sc. at the University of California Santa Cruz in Ecology & Evolution, and her Ph.D. at Lincoln University, New Zealand, also in Ecology & Evolution. Her training specialized in plant/insect interactions, specifically pollination services to plants. Her extensive postdoctoral work at U.C. Berkeley included several interdisciplinary projects related to the impacts of farm diversification within the organic system on a range of ecosystem services from biodiversity, pollination, natural pest control, soil health, and climate change mitigation, as well as the livelihoods of farmers. The main goals of her work have been to inform research and policies to include the needs of agroecological farmers so that their businesses can thrive, while preserving the land for future farming.
Outside of her work in the non-profit world, she spends her time creating functional pottery and transforming her Kentucky suburban yard (including the front) into a highly diversified organic homestead, complete with laying hens, whom her neighbors adore.
CONTACT: asciligo@organic-center.org
Elias Miller, Ph.D.
Manager of Science Programs
Elias Miller, Ph.D., is the Science Programs Manager at The Organic Center, where he leads initiatives designed to advance scientific understanding and support the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. Formally trained in ecology, animal behavior, and discipline-based education research, Dr. Miller brings an interdisciplinary lens to his work at the intersection of science, education, and food systems.
Originally from Queens, New York, Dr. Miller developed an early appreciation for the cultural dimensions of food. Growing up in one of the most diverse communities in the country fostered an intrinsic connection to storytelling through food which continues to shape his approach to agriculture and science communication.
His research interests focus on improving STEM landscapes for students, particularly by broadening participation, building community, and integrating Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) principles into science education. He is especially interested in incorporating evidence-based practices into science communication and outreach to ensure that research is accessible to a variety of audiences.
At The Organic Center, Dr. Miller oversees a broad range of research projects and manages fellowship programs that support undergraduate and early-career professionals. He is dedicated to helping build the sustainable agriculture workforce by creating meaningful research, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.
Outside of his professional role, Dr. Miller manages a small, multi-species rotational grazing system that includes laying hens and sheep in the Southern Tier of New York. He relishes any opportunity to be outside, including during the busy lambing season. He also enjoys hiking, playing volleyball, and couch time with his family.
CONTACT: emiller@organic-center.org
Kate Munden-Dixon, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Kate Munden-Dixon is a social scientist committed to building more equitable, ecologically resilient food and farming systems. Raised in coastal Georgia, she has spent more than 15 years working alongside growers, community organizations, researchers, and policy makers to understand how agricultural decisions are shaped, and how they can be better supported through collaborative networks, policy alignment, and community-driven research.
As a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with The Organic Center, Kate leads a multi-state effort to expand organic research and extension capacity across the Southeast. Throughout the project, she centers her work on engaging researchers and institutions that have been historically underrepresented in organic research and strengthening the research-to-outreach connections that help organic and agroecological practices flourish.
Kate’s career spans mixed-methods research and project leadership across topics such as food policy councils, community supported agriculture (CSA), climate adaptation of beginning farmers and ranchers, food hubs, and farmer decision-making. She has managed federal evaluation projects, supported philanthropic strategy, and built farmer networks. She is dedicated to translating complex findings into clear, actionable insights and to creating collaborative processes rooted in trust and community priorities.
Kate earned her Ph.D. in Geography from the University of California, Davis, where her research examined how first-generation ranchers adapt to socio-economic and ecological change. She also holds a Master of Environmental Planning and Design and a bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from the University of Georgia. In addition to her research, she serves on the Board of Directors for Georgia Organics, where she supports statewide efforts to advance organic farmer prosperity.
Outside of work, Kate is often attempting to grow vegetables and native perennials, despite relentless neighborhood deer. She and her family also love exploring new places and finding beautiful hikes wherever they go.
