Mathieu Rouard

Mathieu Rouard is a senior scientist and Team Leader for the Characterization of Genetic Resources at the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, based in Montpellier, France. He holds a PhD from AgroParisTech and an Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches (HDR) from the University of Montpellier.

His research lies at the intersection of plant genomics, bioinformatics, and the conservation and use of agricultural biodiversity. He has made significant contributions to understanding banana genome evolution and diversity, while developing genomic databases, analytical tools, and digital infrastructures that facilitate access to and use of genetic resources data. He is a founding member and long-standing chair of the South Green Bioinformatics platform, a collaborative initiative supporting plant genomics research and bioinformatics capacity development.

His work increasingly focuses on connecting genomic research with the needs of genebanks, researchers, plant breeders and other stakeholders. As leader of Strategic User Engagement within the CGIAR Genebanks Accelerator, he promotes the effective use of genetic diversity through digital innovation, data interoperability, and international collaboration.

He is also actively engaged in international discussions on digital sequence information (DSI), access and benefit-sharing, and responsible genomic data governance, promoting open science and the equitable use of genetic resources. His contributions across plant genomics, bioinformatics, genetic resources conservation, and data governance are reflected in over 100 scientific publications.