Marcela Santaella

With a background in plant molecular biology and biotechnology, Marcela studied in Colombia (undergraduate and masters) and Germany (doctoral, at the Max Planck Institute of Plant Breeding Research). Passioned about genetic resources, joined as postdoctoral researcher the European Crocusbank project (Crocus sativus and allies), where she trained skills in Project Management and Operations. Marcela also has teaching experience at university (ICESI University, Colombia). She returned to CIAT-Palmira in 2017, where she initiated in 1997 her research career (plant molecular markers and genes related to biotic stress resistance), and now is responsible for day-to-day operations in the Genebank and to promote the conservation and sustainable use of the plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.