Subprogramme 2Scott Jackson (Purdue University) - Advisor from June 2008 onwards
Scott Jackson is a professor at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, USA, where he has been since 2001. He is the Wickersham Chair of Excellence in Agriculture Research and a University Faculty Scholar. His graduate and postgraduate training were carried out at the Universities of Wisconsin–Madison and Minnesota. Prof. Jackson's research speciality is in plant genomics and genetics, specifically on rice and legumes (including soya bean and common bean). He focuses on the sequencing of crop genomes and translating genomic information into useful tools for crop improvement, and collaborates extensively with colleagues at various CGIAR Centres including IRRI and CIAT. Prof. Jackson serves on the editorial boards of The Plant Genome, RICE and Tropical Plant Biology. He was the Chair of the International Soybean Genome Consortium (2006–2008) and serves on the organisational boards of several internal conferences. His areas of expertise include genetics and genomics of cereals and legumes; structural, functional and comparative genomics of crop genomes; molecular cytogenetics and genomics-enabled utilisation of crop genetic resources. |
Subprogramme 5Ana M Espinoza, University of Costa Rica - RAP member from June 2008 onwards
Ana Espinoza heads the Programme on Genetic Improvement of Crops at the Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Centre, University of Costa Rica. She holds a PhD in Plant Virology (University of East Anglia, UK), and an MSc in Biology (University of Costa Rica). She has been the Principal Investigator of more than 20 research projects financed by the Rockefeller Foundation, The European Community, IRRI, BMZ, The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), CIAT and CRUSA, among others. She has published several book chapters and about 60 articles in peer-reviewed journals, and has also supervised more than 25 theses. Her lab is in the process of commercialising improved rice varieties, following a multi-step approach involving public perception, food and environmental safety and IPR. Characterisation of the genetic diversity of wild Oryza species and weedy rice directed her research towards gene-flow studies. She has established collaborative agreements with industry, and innovations from her investigations are to be patented. She is currently on a sabbatical studying Singapore’s science, technology and innovation systems and will be attached to the National University of Singapore Entrepreneurship Centre. Dr. Espinoza’s professional experience spans a transversal approach to scientific research and innovation in a developing country, exploring all the potentialities and limitations, which is valuable for SP5. |
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