Dr Iris Vogeler works in the Sustainable Land Use Group at HortResearch, Palmerston North, New Zealand. Her original training was an MSc in Horticulture at the University of Hannover, Germany. In 1994, she started a PhD on “Anion and Cation Transport through undisturbed soil columns during unsaturated flow” at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. She graduated in 1997, and started a Postdoc at HortResearch, Palmerstion North. After 10 years, She continues to work HortResearch in New Zealand, mainly on soil/plant interactions, including water and waste-water use, and the fate of nutrients/contaminants such as nitrate, sulphur and heavy metal. Recently she commenced work on soil quality indicators and the valuation of our natural capital, the soil. She has strong international connections to Germany. Within her group close links have been formed with the dairy, vegetable, fruit and wine industries.  Dr Vogeler considers the Vice Chair supports the Chair of Commission in promoting the role of soil in sustaining the environment on a global scale. This can be done by organising sessions and workshops at international conferences, especially the world congress.