After a wide-ranging international search, in late October, 2004, CIMMYT Director General Masa Iwanaga announced the names of the candidates chosen to lead CIMMYT’s research programs:

• Genetic Resources: Jonathan Crouch

• Impacts Targeting and Assessment: John Dixon.

• African Livelihoods: Marianne Bänziger.

• Rainfed Wheat Systems: Hans Braun.

• Tropical Ecosystems: Kevin Pixley.

• Intensive Agroecosystems: Rodomiro Ortiz.

Crouch comes to CIMMYT from another CGIAR center, ICRISAT, where he developed and headed the Applied Genomics Lab, was a member of the Management Group, and served as Principal Scientist in the Legume Genomics Group. British by birth, Crouch holds a PhD in plant breeding and biotechnology from the John Innes Centre and a BSc in agricultural botany from the University of Reading, both in the UK.

Dixon has a PhD in economics and two MSc degrees—one in natural resource economics and another in economics—all from the University of New England, in Australia. His professional experience combines economics with sustainable agricultural development, environmental impact assessment, and public administration. While employed by FAO, he lived and worked for many years in several African countries, as well as in Thailand and Nepal. Dixon also has considerable experience managing staff in far-flung locales.

Bänziger holds a PhD in natural sciences and an MSc in crop science from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. For the past 12 years she has managed an increasing number of CIMMYT research projects, mostly in Africa, with a holistic focus and applying state-of-the-art science in ways that directly benefit the poor. She has also cultivated broad and effective networks, drawing in partners from national agricultural research programs, government agencies, civil society organizations, and farmer associations in southern Africa. Bänziger is the first woman director of a CIMMYT research program.

Braun holds a PhD and MSc from the University of Hohenheim, Germany. He has worked in the West Asia/North Africa region for the past 20 years in both research and research management. His knowledge and experience span a range of topics relating to the productivity and sustainability of rainfed wheat systems, including plant breeding, agronomy and conservation agriculture, soil health, and plant nutrition. He has also cultivated broad partnerships that include researchers from national programs and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas.

A seasoned research manager and maize breeder, Pixley has worked for CIMMYT since 1991, first in Mexico and then as coordinator of the center's research program in southern Africa. He has a PhD in plant breeding and cytogenetics from Iowa State University and an MSc in crop physiology from the University of Florida. As interim director of the Tropical Ecosystems Program, he has been instrumental in molding the new program’s research agenda and strategies.

Ortiz holds a PhD in plant breeding and genetics from the University of Wisconsin, as well as an MSc in plant breeding and statistics from Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Lima, Peru. Most recently the Director of Research-for-Development at IITA, a CGIAR center based in Nigeria, Ortiz brings to the job of IAS director broad experience in genetically improving both self- and cross-pollinated crops. He also maintains a strong interest in quantitative and population genetics, especially for germplasm conservation and enhancement, and for improving current breeding techniques.

The search committee was chaired by John Dodds, CIMMYT’s Deputy Director General for Research. The new directors were selected from a pool of 160 applicants. Staff provided input through two interview committees and comments sent directly to the search committee.

The new directors will take up their positions by February 2005 and will play a key role in implementing CIMMYT’s strategy to link research to livelihoods and poverty alleviation in the developing world.