Los Baños, Philippines - The Young Researchers' Lunch for December hosted Marco Wopereis. Wopereis is currently Deputy Director General and Director of Research for Development of the Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice), positions he has held since November 2007. He is succeeding J.D.H Keatinge as Director General of AVRDC-The World Vegetable Center in Taiwan.
Wopereis has extensive experience in research for development related to integrated natural resources management, and rice in particular. He served as AfricaRice’s irrigated rice agronomist in Senegal from 1994-2000. He also worked for IRRI (1989-1994) and the International Centre for Soil Fertility and Agricultural Development (2002-2005) in Togo.
“He has indeed made very significant contributions to AfricaRice, more especially in terms of the establishment of a solid scientific direction and foundation,” Harold Roy-Macauley, AfricaRice director general, said in a press statement. “He has certainly played a highly significant role in leading the implementation of the research for development program, which has ensured a sound scientific position for AfricaRice in the global rice research arena and the achievement of important successes.”
In describing his career path, Wopereis emphasized the importance of having a supportive partner and making family decisions when changing posts. He encouraged young researchers to work in Africa, which described as “an exciting challenge” and “something different” from working at IRRI in the Philippines.
Participants were Maria Dwiyanti, Sung Ryul Kim, Rebecca Laza, Crisanta Bueno, Manuel Marcaida, and Majid Mortazavi.
The Young Researchers Lunch is a monthly meeting for NRS and AFSTRI scientists who are in the early stages of their career. The purpose is to provide an opportunity for discussions with senior scientists on a range of topics including science and career paths
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