Highly accomplished Genetic Resources Scientist with over 20 years of international experience across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, specializing in crop improvement, plant genetic resources, and disease resistance. Proven leader at CGIAR, adept at conserving, characterizing, and deploying genetic diversity to enhance food-system resilience. Expert in international coordination, donor engagement, and partnership development, driving impactful research and policy integration for societal benefit.
Work
International Potato Center (CIP)
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Genetic Resources Scientist
Lima, Lima Region, Peru
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Summary
Provides scientific leadership for plant genetic resources conservation, characterization, and utilization at a global research center.
Highlights
Provide scientific leadership for the conservation, characterization, and utilization of critical plant genetic resources, ensuring long-term food security.
Oversee the comprehensive management of ex situ germplasm collections and advanced data systems, safeguarding biodiversity assets.
Lead impactful research aligned with CIP's Biodiversity Science Goal, focusing on diversity evaluation, trait discovery, and application in advanced plant breeding programs.
Collaborate across CGIAR centers and national programs, driving strategic innovation in genetic resources management and utilization.
International Potato Center (CIP) – China Center for Asia Pacific (CCCAP)
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Country Liaison (Chief) Scientist
Beijing, Beijing, China
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Summary
Directed scientific operations and strategic partnerships for CIP across China and the Asia-Pacific region.
Highlights
Led comprehensive scientific operations for CIP across China and the broader Asia-Pacific region, ensuring regional research alignment.
Managed a diverse research portfolio comprising multi-national projects and donor-funded programs, optimizing resource allocation and impact.
Cultivated strategic partnerships with government agencies, universities, UN institutions, and private sector entities, expanding collaborative research initiatives.
Coordinated regional scientific strategy and planning, encompassing germplasm evaluation, advanced breeding, and robust disease surveillance protocols.
Hebei North University
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Distinguished Professor (Adjunct)
Zhangjiakou, Hebei, China
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Summary
Served as an adjunct professor, contributing academic expertise to university programs in plant genetics.
Highlights
Provided expert academic guidance and delivered advanced lectures, contributing to curriculum development and student mentorship in plant genetics and crop science.
AsiaBlight Network
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Coordination Committee Member (Chair)
Remote, Global, XX
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Summary
Led strategic direction and international engagement for the AsiaBlight Network, enhancing disease management across the region.
Highlights
Designed and implemented regional strategy for late-blight surveillance and resistance breeding, enhancing disease management across the network.
Orchestrated numerous international meetings and proceedings, fostering collaboration among diverse scientific communities.
Coordinated scientific committees and regional representatives, streamlining research efforts and knowledge exchange, while leading international engagement and network governance.
Cornell University – China Agricultural University Joint Program
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Lecturer - Food Biochemistry
Beijing, Beijing, China
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Summary
Delivered lectures on food biochemistry within an international joint academic program, enriching student learning.
Highlights
Delivered engaging lectures on food biochemistry, enriching the academic experience for students in an international joint program.
International Potato Center (CIP-CCCAP)
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Potato Breeder
Beijing, Beijing, China
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Summary
Established and managed potato breeding pipelines and variety deployment strategies in China, enhancing local crop development.
Highlights
Established CIP's inaugural potato breeding pipelines in China, significantly enhancing local crop development capabilities.
Developed robust cross-sector networks with National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS), industry partners, and local farmers, fostering collaborative innovation.
Directed comprehensive evaluations and strategic variety deployment, accelerating the adoption of improved potato cultivars.
Education
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY, United States of America
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Ph.D.Plant Breeding & Genetics & International DevelopmentGrade:
Imperial College (Wye), UK
London, England, UK
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B.Sc. (Hons)HorticultureGrade:
Awards
Global Food Security Ambassador
Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Appointed ambassador to advocate for global food security initiatives and policy development.
Global Action Summit Fellow
Global Action Summit
Selected as a fellow for demonstrated leadership and commitment to addressing global challenges.
Outstanding Teaching Assistant
Cornell University
Recognized for exceptional teaching contributions and student mentorship during doctoral studies.
Communicating Science Award
N/A
Awarded for excellence in effectively communicating complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences.
Publications
Chromatin accessibility and drought response in potato
The Plant Journal
Research on chromatin accessibility and drought response in potato, contributing to understanding stress resilience.
6.49-Mb inversion associated with purple embryo spot in potato
aBIOTECH
Study on a 6.49-Mb inversion linked to purple embryo spot in potato, advancing genetic understanding.
Growth response of potato to elevated temperature and CO2
Climate Smart Agriculture
Investigation into potato growth response under elevated temperature and CO2 conditions, informing climate-resilient agriculture.
Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system in potato
N/A
Development of an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system for potato, improving genetic engineering techniques.
CPA gene family and salt tolerance in potato
BMC Genomics
Study on the CPA gene family and its role in salt tolerance in potato, providing insights into stress resistance.
DNA methylation and drought tolerance in crops
N/A
Research on the role of DNA methylation in drought tolerance in crops, enhancing understanding of plant adaptation.
StDRO1 expression and root architecture
N/A
Investigation into StDRO1 gene expression and its impact on root architecture in potatoes.
Self-incompatibility systems in wild potato
N/A
Study of self-incompatibility systems in wild potato species, relevant for breeding strategies.
MYB and WRKY gene families in potato pigmentation
N/A
Research on MYB and WRKY gene families and their influence on potato pigmentation.
Chromosome manipulation in potato breeding
N/A
Exploration of chromosome manipulation techniques for advanced potato breeding.
Biofortification under climate change
N/A
Research on biofortification strategies for crops in the context of climate change.
Languages
English
Native
Korean
Proficient
Mandarin
Conversational
Spanish
Basic
Skills
Scientific & Technical
Genetic Resources Conservation, Germplasm Management, Plant Breeding, Disease Resistance, Field Trial Design, Gene Discovery, Gene Deployment, Population Genetics, R Programming.
Leadership & Strategy
International Collaboration, Multicultural Leadership, Grant Writing, Research Governance, Network Coordination, Donor Engagement.
Interests
Professional Affiliations
New York Academy of Sciences, American Scientific Affiliation.
Projects
Broad-spectrum late-blight resistance
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Summary
Secured significant funding for research into developing broad-spectrum late-blight resistance in crops.
Potato bacterial wilt resistance
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Summary
Acquired substantial funding for research dedicated to enhancing potato bacterial wilt resistance.