Biography

I got my PhD from the University of Sydney in discipline of wheat rust genetics, pathology and breeding in 1998 and since then I have conducted, implemented and coordinated crop improvement research projects in Australia, East Africa, South Pacific and India for more than 18 years with a strong focus on genetics/breeding for disease resistance and yield enhancement in cereals (wheat, barley, oats, triticale, rice), root crops (taro, yam, sweet potato) and tree crops (eucalyptus). My research has been highly dynamic throughout my career and has resulted into more than 100 publications in refereed journals, proceedings, books, guidelines, manuals and technical bulletins. I supervised/co-supervised several postgraduate students and have special interest in fostering the next generation scientific community. I am passionate for international Development and I hold a Masters degree in International Agriculture Development from Deakin University. I worked very closely with International organizations like Australian Centre for International Agriculture Research (ACIAR), International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), Secretariat of Pacific Countries (SPC), Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).