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Jon Hellin

Initiative Co-Leader - ClimBeR

With a PhD in Geography, an MSc in Forestry, and a BA in Modern History, Jon's interdisciplinary background has informed his holistic approach to agricultural research-for-development (AR4D). He has thirty years’ interdisciplinary research experience...

Jongsoo Shin

Regional Director for Asia

Dr. Shin serves as IRRI’s Representative for Asia, coordinating the institute's activities and aligning strategies with regional priorities. He collaborates with government entities and partners to enhance the agri-food sector and acts as the chief...

Joseph Bigirimana

Country Representative for Burundi

Joseph coordinates and leads all IRRI’s research and capacity building in Burundi. This includes initiating and managing numerous field sites for testing locally-adapted potential new rice varieties for the country. He also coordinates Farmer Field...

Joy Marie Gimena

Head of Information Technology

Joy Gimena is a technology and data strategy executive with over a decade of experience leading digital transformation, data systems architecture, and business analytics across international NGOs, consulting firms, and academic institutions. Her...

Jummai O. Yila

Country Representative for Uganda and Research Leader - Gender & Livelihoods Unit

Jummai Yila is an experienced gender and development professional with a diverse skillset and global reach. She is a Senior Scientist - Gender and Social Research and serves as the Country Representative for Uganda and Research Leader of the Gender...

Junel B. Soriano

Deputy Director General – Philippines Representative

Dr. Junel Soriano has over twenty years of dedicated service in the Philippine agriculture sector, promoting sustainable and science-based agri-food systems. Most recently, he served as Director IV at the Department of Agriculture–Bureau of...

Kazuki Saito

Senior Scientist II - Cropping Systems Agronomy / Climate Change

Kazuki Saito (PhD) is an agronomist employed by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), based in the Philippines. He is leading the Sustainable Soils sub-unit under Sustainable Impact through Rice-based Systems department. He has more than...

Kristina Cassandra Santos

Head of Communication and Engagements

Kristina Cassandra Santos is a communication and marketing professional with over 15 years of progressive experience spanning corporate public relations, development communication, digital marketing, and crisis management. Her multidisciplinary...

Kurniawan Rudi Trijatmiko

Scientist II- Genome Engineering Regulatory Science and Affairs - Rice Genetic Design & Validation Unit

Rudi is a Scientist II – Genome Engineering Regulatory Science and Regulatory Affairs with a strong academic background in molecular genetics. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Plant Breeding and further pursued his passion through a master's in...

Lilia Molina

Research Manager - IRRI Service Laboratories, Integrative Research Support

As Research Manager of IRRI Service Laboratories (ISL), Lilia manages three laboratories—Analytical Service Laboratories, Grain Quality Evaluation Services, and Genotyping Service Laboratory which play a vital role in providing solutions to...

Madonna Casimero

Senior Scientist I - Agronomy

Mahender Anumalla

Postdoctoral Fellow - Trait Development

Mahender Anumalla is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the late maturity breeding program of IRRI. His major research focuses on the phenotypic characterization of diverse rice materials to develop elite breeding panels for drought, salinity, and submergence...

Maria Ymber Reveche

Associate Manager - Research Support

Martina Castellion

Research Manager, Seed Health and Logistics Unit, Rice Breeding Innovations

Martina leads and provides strategic direction to the Seed Health and Logistics Unit, including operational excellence, innovation in seed diagnostic testing and phytosanitation, and outreach to partners, regulators and customers. The Seed Health and...

Mary Jean Du

Regional Breeding Lead for Southeast Asia

Jean is the Regional Breeding Lead for Southeast Asia with a strong academic background in agriculture. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Plant Breeding and further pursued her passion through a master's in Agricultural Development - major in Agronomy...

Matty Demont

Research Leader - Markets, Consumers & Nutrition

Matty Demont has more than 20 years of experience leading research and engaging with policy makers on food system transformation throughout Europe, Africa and Asia. He acquired vast field experience through numerous surveys, workshops, expert...

Melanie Connor

Senior Scientist I - Market Intelligence and Product Profiling

Melanie’s research background focuses on understanding behavioral change specifically risk perception and communication by investigating the public perception of environmental and nutritional issues. Melanie is also studying behavior change models...

Mohammad Rafiqul Islam

Senior Scientist I - Rice Breeding

Nese Sreenivasulu

Research Unit Leader - Consumer-driven Grain Quality and Nutrition

Nurmi Pangesti

Country Representative for Cambodia and Scientist II - Entomology