Joining IRRI in 2018, Dr. Kurniawan Rudi Trijatmiko currently coordinates various genome editing initiatives. His research focuses on investigating causal genes and variants, utilizing gene editing to improve multiple traits simultaneously, and creating novel variants to enhance genetic diversity.

He oversees the generation of data necessary for securing approval for the cultivation and consumption of biotech rice and plays a crucial role in transitioning gene-edited rice from the laboratory to farmers’ fields.

Rudi holds a PhD in Plant Sciences from Wageningen University and a master's degree in biotechnology. During his postdoctoral period at IRRI, he developed high-iron and high-zinc rice and contributed to the identification of genes associated with high yield and anaerobic germination tolerance.