Nazim S. Gruda, (retired) Professor at the University of Bonn, Germany, is a leading scientist in soilless culture, growing media and controlled environment cultivation. He received his doctorate from the Technical University of Munich and his habilitation from the Humboldt University of Berlin, both in Germany. He has been a successful researcher for more than three decades. With a primary focus on innovative and sustainable horticultural food production systems, his research has contributed significantly to the scientific understanding and practical application of growing media in horticulture. He has served as Guest Editor-in-Chief of several special issues on this topic. In 2021, Burleigh Dodds Science published the book “Advances in Horticultural Soilless Culture”, which he edited. Within the International Society for Horticultural Science, he serves as Vice-Chair of the Division of Vegetables, Roots and Tubers and as Chair of an ISHS Working Group. He received the „Dr. Heinrich Baur Prize“ from the Technical University of Munich, Germany, for his outstanding work. Nazim is a member, honorary member or corresponding member of three European Academies, Investigador Distinguido of the Polytechnic University of Cartagena, Spain, and Distinguished Scientist of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.