Dr. Sankalp Bhosale is the Interim Research Director of IRRI’s Rice Breeding Innovations Department and leads the Product Development and Varietal Replacement Research Unit. He manages an extensive research portfolio and collaborates with over 50 CGIAR and NARES partners across Asia and Africa. His team enhances genetic gains and varietal replacement by advancing marker-assisted breeding, developing climate-resilient rice varieties, discovering stress-tolerance traits, and strengthening seed systems. Before IRRI, Dr. Bhosale was the Genetics Project Lead for Southeast Asia at Syngenta, Inc., and worked as a Molecular Breeder in Laos and Germany. He holds a PhD in Agricultural Sciences from the University of Hohenheim, focusing on plant breeding and population genetics, and a Master’s in Agricultural Sciences related to food security and resource management. Dr. Bhosale combines research and industry expertise to support global food security and improve farmers' livelihoods.