Kathleen Merrigan is an expert in food security, food systems and sustainability.

Her research focuses on sustainable innovations for food and agriculture among urban cities as well as food deserts.

Merrigan serves as the executive director of the Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems, and she is a professor within the School of Sustainability, College of Health Solutions and the School of Public Affairs.

Prior to her position at ASU, Merrigan was U.S. Deputy Secretary and Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. Department of Agriculture where she created and led the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative to support local food systems.