profile
Winnyfred Amongi
Senior Research Associate-Breeding
Dr. Winnyfred Amongi is a plant breeder who is passionate about developing climate-resilient, nutritious, and market-preferred common bean varieties for smallholder farmers in Africa. She holds a PhD in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, a Master of Science degree in Plant Breeding and Seed Systems, and a Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, all from Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Since joining the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International…
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Estephania Nieto Ortiz
Cordinadora de investigación
Agrónomo (Ingeniero Agrónomo) y Máster en Ciencias Biológicas de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia, con enfásis en fisiología vegetal. Cuento con una sólida experiencia en el diseño, implementación y gestión de sistemas de producción agrícola sostenible. Como coordinadora de investigación en Alianza Bioversity International - CIAT, lidere la validación de fertilizantes orgánicos y supervisé su implementación en el campo. Además, he trabajado en estrecha…
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Jose Gerardo Sanchez-Choy
Senior Research Associate
José Gerardo Sánchez-Choy is the focal point of the Alliance in the Ucayali region, Peru. He currently works with the Multifunctional Landscapes Science Program (MFL SP) and Biodiversity for Resilient Ecosystems in Agricultural Landscapes (B-REAL), and has worked with the Agroecological Initiative, Agroecological Regenerative Cocoa, and Agroecological Transitions projects. He is Senior Research Associate of the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT of…
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Marlène Elias
Director, Gender and Inclusion
Marlène Elias is the Gender and Social Inclusion Lead at the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture. She has a BSc in Biology and Environmental Sciences, and an MA and PhD in Geography. Rooted in a feminist political ecology approach, her research aims to advance gender equality and inclusion in forest and biodiversity governance, management, restoration, and in agri-food value chains, and to strengthen women’s…
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Guillermo Orjuela Ramirez
Postdoctoral Fellow
Guillermo Orjuela Ramirez is a researcher in innovation and environmental studies whose work focuses on how organizations innovate and impact the natural environment. He is passionate about exploring novel ways in which innovation can improve competitiveness and people's livelihoods.
He has more than 10 years of experience in research and university lecturing and has led and collaborated on research projects related to innovation, climate suitability, efficiency…
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Nicolle Baron Higuera
Research associate
Nicolle Barón-Higuera is an agricultural engineer working with the Banana Program. Passionate about research, her career in the field of Musaceae has led her to explore diverse and interrelated areas, including plant physiology, phytopathology, phenotyping, in vitro tissue culture, and the conservation and characterization of Musaceae diversity. Her work integrates physiological responses to abiotic stress, the management and detection of vascular diseases, and technical…
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Alejandra Gil-Ordóñez
Research Associate
Alejandra Gil-Ordóñez is a Research Associate in the Virology and Crop Protection team of the Cassava Program. Her research focuses on molecular biology and bioinformatics, with particular interests in population genetics, microbiology, ecology, and the evolution of pathogenic microorganisms. She has experience in biotechnology, Illumina and Nanopore sequencing, and bioinformatics processing of first-, second-, and third-generation microbial sequences applied to diagnosis…
event
The Alliance at Rome Nutrition Week 2026
Hosted by Rome-based UN agencies (FAO, IFAD, and WFP), Rome Nutrition Week will take place from 25 to 28 May 2026 at FAO headquarters in Rome and online. Under the theme “Shaping the Future of Joint Nutrition Action in a Changing World,” the event will identify practical pathways to accelerate nutrition progress in a rapidly evolving global context.
FAO HQ, Rome (Italy…
article
Photo with a story contest - Agrobiodiversity as roots of resilience
Silvia Martinez, Roseline Remans, Silvia Araujo de Lima, Natalia Estrada, Sarah Jones
Agrobiodiversity - the variety of animals, plants, and microbes used for food and agriculture (FAO definition, 1999) is essential for food production, food security, and resilient food systems. Yet, it is difficult to capture: not only…
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3 school lunches decisions that can benefit future generations
Chiara Ferraboschi, Gina Kennedy
School meals can deliver benefits for health, livelihoods, and the environment. This can be accomplished by procurement decisions that diversify the ingredients, source from nearby, and engage communities and coalitions.
School meals have the power to influence…
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Johanna Mazabel
Research Coordinator II
Johanna Mazabel is a Chemist and Chemical Technologist holding a master’s degree in Agro-industrial Engineering, with 20 years of extensive experience spanning chemical and instrumental analysis, academic teaching, and scientific research.
Throughout her career, she has developed advanced proficiency in sample analysis utilizing cutting-edge techniques such as HPLC, GC, UV-Vis, and Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS), backed by specialized training and practical expertise in…
event
Consultation workshop for AgriTech4Egypt: Presenting a strategic Egypt–Italy Initiative connecting research, entrepreneurship, and industry
The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, together with partners, will host the High-Level Consultation Workshop for AgriTech4Egypt: Technological Innovation in Agri-food Sector in Egypt on Tuesday, 9 June 2026 in Cairo.
Cairo, Egypt
09 Jun 2026…
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Leonardo Medina
Research Specialist on Climate Change and Security
Leonardo is a Climate, Peace and Security Specialist at the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, where he supports research and policy engagement on conflict-sensitive climate governance, environmental peacebuilding, and adaptation in fragile and conflict-affected settings. His work focuses on understanding how climate change, environmental pressures, and governance systems interact to shape risks of conflict and opportunities for…
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Climate Signals in Motion: Digital advisory services in Vietnam activate potential for global reach at Philanthropy Asia Summit
Alie Peter Galeon
Jolita Atienza
In Singapore, the Alliance showcased nationally endorsed and scalable Agro-Climatic Bulletin in Vietnam to contribute to this year’s Philanthropy Asia Alliance agenda exploring how science, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration can…
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Idrissa Aidara’s story, or how the AVENIR project turned a return into success
Fatimata Kone, Issa Ouedraogo, Latyr Diouf
Some life journeys tell far more than an individual story. They speak of a territory, a generation, and a courageous choice. At 43, Idrissa Aidara, a farmer in Dar Salam in the Goudomp department of Senegal, embodies such a story. A returnee migrant after two attempts at irregular…
