Welcoming Dr Yilma Kebede as ICRISAT Fellow
Dr Yilma Kebede, noted agricultural scientist, was recently appointed as an ICRISAT Fellow.
Dr Kebede brings with him a sterling academic background and decades of practical experience in crop improvement research as well as project management. As a Senior Program Officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr Kebede was involved in finding sustainable solutions for climate-related issues in Africa and other regions. We welcome Dr Kebede and look forward to a highly enriching experience with him as a mentor, especially in matters related to Ethiopia.
The ICRISAT Honorary Fellowships enable senior research scientists to transfer knowledge and skills in a mentoring role at ICRISAT. The Fellowships are generally of 12 months’ duration and are awarded by the Director General.
Notable ICRISAT Honorary Fellows:
Dr Stefania Grando: The former Director, Science Quality and Strategy, was made an Honorary Fellow in February 2017. While at ICRISAT Dr Grando was actively involved with the Hybrid Parents Research Consortium. With her vast experience in dryland cereals research, Dr Grando will now be contributing her insights to the modernization of ICRISAT’s breeding programs, among other duties.
Dr Prabhakar Pathak: A specialist in soil and water management, Dr Pathak will, as an ICRISAT Honorary Fellow, develop and submit research papers related to watershed management, water productivity and water use efficiency.
Dr KPC Rao: As an Honorary Fellow,
Dr Rao will provide vital inputs into ongoing research on crop modeling systems, impacts of climate change and related interventions and more. He has written and published critical works related to climate change, especially in Eastern and Central Africa.
Dr GV Ranga Rao: A former special project scientist in Integrated Pest Management, Dr Ranga Rao in his capacity as ICRISAT Fellow will support and train incoming entomology recruits, guide project coordinators in ongoing projects and developed training manuals on pest management.
Dr HC Sharma: An entomologist,
Dr Sharma will guide and mentor students and staff as an ICRISAT Fellow. He will be representing ICRISAT at the International Plant Protection Congress (IPPC) 2019.
Dr Alastair William Orr: As an ICRISAT Fellow, Dr Orr, an agricultural economist, will provide guidance on smallholder value chains in Eastern and Southern Africa.
Dr AVR Kesava Rao: Dr Rao, an agroclimatologist and an ICRISAT Fellow, will contribute significantly to programs related to climate change adaptation, especially in the semi-arid tropical regions.