Associate Professor Hossein Arzanivand
Associate Professor Arzanivand is a lecturer in the Department of Rehabilitation of Arid Zones and Mountainous Areas in the Faculty of Natural Resources, The University of Tehran, Karaj Campus, Iran.
Mrs Caterina Batello
Caterina Batello graduated with a Master degree in Agriculture from the University of Milan in 1981 and then worked in Mexico for two years in a grassland improvement project. After a number of FAO consultancy assignments in the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Niger, Brazil and Argentina, Caterina joined FAO in 1994 and has been responsible for a number of successful and innovative rangeland projects in Morocco and Syria. Following projects in Gansu Province focused on rangelands and desert oases and in Xinjiang, China to provide winter bases and winter feed for transhumant herders and their livestock she is presently responsible for a rangeland project in Afghanistan, and for activities related to rangeland management and improvement in FAO.
The lessons learned from these and other projects have resulted in a number of publications which have included an educational series for young persons (as well as sustainable savannah management in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, subjects have included biodiversity in the semi-arid rangelands of Syria and natural resources of the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region and the Sahel) as well as workshop and congress papers and publications at the VI, VII and joint IGC-IRC 2008 Congress. Caterina presented one of three Plenary papers (“Grassland and forage to improve livelihoods and reduce poverty”) at the XX IGC in Ireland in 2005. In 2004 a highly acclaimed FAO book on Lake Chad (“The future is an ancient lake: traditional knowledge, biodiversity and genetic resources for food and agriculture in Lake Chad Basin ecosystems”) was published in English, French and Italian. In 2005 she co-edited an FAO book on “Grasslands of the World”. In FAO as well as various publications she is responsible for developing website material related to grasslands, rangelands and forages. She has also focused on supporting a number of networks of rangeland scientists in East Africa, Temperate and Southeast Asia and in particular in Latin America for the Chaco, Campos and in Patagonia and Cool Temperate Grasslands and has been active in biodiversity and plant genetic resource studies and meetings. She regularly participates in meetings of the European Grassland Federation and in particular as a session summarizer and in panel discussions where FAO is often able to give an overview on topical issues.
From FAO collaboration in studies, meetings and workshops related to rangelands with CIAT, UNEP, and many national organizations, universities and research institutions Caterina has a worldwide network of contacts. Fluent in a number of languages (English, French, Italian, Spanish, German) Caterina has represented FAO at a number of international meetings and presently is developing studies related to climate change and rangelands with the Inter-governmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC).
Gabriel Oliva is a rangeland ecologist at the Santa Cruz Experimental Station of the National Institute for Agricultural Technology, INTA at Río Gallegos, Santa Cruz, Argentina. He holds a PhD in Biology of the University of Buenos Aires, and has worked in South Patagonia since 1989 in the Natural Resources group, holding different administrative positions, including the Director of the Station. He is also Professor in the Natural Resources Engineering at the University of South Patagonia. His activities have focused in rangeland evaluation, monitoring and genetic resources, and has taken part in different programs to fight against desertification in the region. Gabriel is a Chair of the IX Congress organizing committee.
Has a PhD from Utah State University. Solomon is a range economist at ILRI and coordinates research outreach in Kenya and Ethiopia. He is currently working in the GL-CRSP Pastoral Risk Management Project in Kenya and Ethiopia. Solomon has attended the last four IRCs. He has extensive experience in research, outreach and project coordination, has good networks and he is a reliable communicator.
Doug Johnson earned his Ph.D. in range ecology at Utah State University in Logan, Utah in 1975. He then took a six-month postdoctoral position at Barrow, Alaska where he worked on the ecophysiology of arctic tundra plants. Since 1976, Dr. Johnson has been a plant physiologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service at the Forage and Range Research Lab in Logan, Utah. His work there involves rangeland plant physiological and ecological research related to plant breeding and improvement. His research focuses on critical factors relating to the successful establishment and production on rangelands and pastures, and developing practical selection procedures for improving plant characteristics. He also conducts research relating to the effects of environmental stress on seedling establishment, forage production, and persistence; forage legume nitrogen fixation; and germplasm collection. His research has directly contributed to the development of improved cultivars and germplasms for animal utilization, resource conservation, and reduced-input turf applications in semiarid environments. He has authored or co-authored 161 publications, including 119 refereed journal papers. His research accomplishments have been recognized nationally and internationally with Fellow Awards from the Crop Science Society of America, American Society of Agronomy, and Society for Range Management, the N.I. Vavilov Medal for Plant Genetic Resources, an ARS Special Service Award, Certificate of Honor from the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, the Frank N. Meyer Medal for Plant Genetic Resources, and honorary professorships at two Chinese universities.
David Michalk has over 30 years experience in rangeland research and development in Australia, China, North Korea and the USA. He is a previous associate editor of the Journal of Range Management, and editor of NSW Grassland Society Proceedings and Newsletter.
Dr David Michalk is Director of Orange Agricultural Institute (OAI), one of New South Wales DPI’s Centres of Excellence. OAI provides research, extension and education support to the meat, wool and horticultural industries. Dr Michalk is responsible for the leadership and mentoring of a staff of 140 scientists, technicians and assistants. In addition to his role as Director, Dr Michalk is still actively involved in the development of sustainable systems for livestock management in Australia and China. These systems focus particularly on grazing management practices to maintain or improve the perennial component as means to increase livestock performance, reduce weed invasions, optimise water use and enhance biodiversity. He has worked extensively in China with international agency programs including the World Bank.
Dr Michalk holds a PhD in Range Science from Utah State University and has published extensively in Australian and International journals on grassland ecology and grazing systems. Dr Michalk was recently awarded an adjunct professorship in the Faculty of Rural Management to develop research and teaching programs in livestock grazing systems particularly in north Asia.
Dr. Deli Wang is a professor and head of the Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, and Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Ministry of Education, China. He received a BS (1985), MS (1988) and Ph.D (1991) in the School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, and then did post doctoral study in the Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Japan from 1997 to 1999.
Dr. Deli Wang is interested in plant ecology, and grazing ecology and management, recently focussing on the study of the relationships between plant and herbivore within steppe ecosystems. A particular focus is the response of animal behavior and its strategies to steppe vegetation (including biodiversity, and plant adaptation to animal foraging), and also to global climate change. He has over 100 scientific publications in national and international journals and has received various awards from government, professional societies and agencies. Two prestigious awards were the Outstanding Scholar Award, 1st Rank, Ministry of Education, China (2007) and the Outstanding Young Scholar Award , Jilin Province, China (2005).
He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses including General Ecology, Grazing Ecology and Theoretical and Evolutionary Ecology.
Currently he serves as an Executive Director of Chinese Grassland Society, and a Director of the Chinese Ecology Society. He has some experiences for the scientific activities, and has organized and/or co-organized national and international conferences and workshops, including the XIII IRC in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia in 2008.
Dr Andrew Ash is the Director of the CSIRO Climate Adaptation National Research Flagship. The Flagship’s goal is to equip Australia with practical and effective adaptation options to climate change and variability and in doing so create $3 billion per annum in net benefits by 2030. The Climate Adaptation Flagship brings together experts from across CSIRO, and builds partnerships with research and industry groups around Australia and overseas to tackle the complex challenges involved in adapting to life in a changing climate. As Flagship Director, Andrew is responsible for deciding research priorities, overseeing a large portfolio of research projects and managing the Flagship’s many partnerships and collaborations. Dr Ash gives regular talks and presentations to raise awareness among government agencies, businesses and communities of the need to adapt to unavoidable climate change. As part of his role he seeks to inform stakeholders about the methods, options and approaches available to reduce the negative impacts of climate change and identify any emerging opportunities.
Prior to leading the Flagship, Andrew was a rangeland systems scientist with training in plant ecology, pasture agronomy, animal production, and systems simulation. His research focussed on developing a systems level understanding of how rangelands function in response to climate, environment, and management, and applying it to improve the overall sustainability of the industries and land users concerned. His research was concentrated in the tropical rangelands of northern Australia, where Andrew was based for 13 years. Andrew was previously the Program Leader for Rangelands and Savannas whith 50 staff located across the rangelands of Australia.
Mohamed Chaieb, from Tunisia (North Africa) was born in 1957, and is a PhD graduate of University of Montpellier France and Doctor of State from the Sfax University, Tunisia. He is Professor of Botany and Ecology at the University and is the Chief of the Biology Department of the Faculty and the Director of the Research Unit concerning the Ecophysiology of Arid Lands and the Research Unit of Ecosystem Dynamics in Arid zones with a research staff of 30 people under his authority. Professor Chaieb has attended all the IRC meetings since Montpellier (Hohhot, Durban, Salt Lake City and Townsville).
Dr. Chuluun Togtohyn is a Professor at the National University of Mongolia (2002-present), Visiting Senior Scientist/Research Scientist at the Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory of the Colorado State University (1991-present), and President of the Global Citizen, Non-Government Organization (2006-present). T. Chuluun received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in theoretical physics from the Har’kov State University, Ukraine (1977) and his PhD in theoretical and mathematical biophysics from the Moscow State University, Russia (1991). He worked as a Senior Research Scientist/Research Scientist at the Mongolian Academy of Sciences (1977-1991). He worked as the Director of Regional Settlement Planning Division of the Ministry of Construction and Urban Development (2004-2006), and also as an Advisor to the President of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences (1991), to the Minister for Nature and Environment (1996-1998) and to the Minister for Urban Development and Construction (2006-2007). Dr. Chuluun is a Continuing Committee Member of the International Rangeland Congress, representing Central Asia and Mongolia since 2003, and a Vice-Chair of the Global Change National Committee of Mongolia since 2006. He edited books, authored over 80 papers on diverse topics related to biophysics, ecosystem science, and global environmental change and sustainability.
Dr. Chuluun’s research activities address ecological issues related to land use, biodiversity and sustainability; climate change impact on rangeland ecosystem services; climate change vulnerability and adaptation of rangelands; and sustainable development of Mongolia. Specifically his research is aimed at developing a better understanding of factors affecting social-ecological systems, and sustainable use of natural resource. His research is funded by NSF, NASA, START, TNC, the European Commission EuropeAid Cooperation Office, the UK Department of Environment and Rural Affairs and the Netherlands Climate Change Support Program. He worked as a consultant for the International Funds for Agriculture Development and the Winrock International Institute for Agriculture Development. He was leading multi-disciplinary teams to develop a draft concept of sustainable development and a proposal for new administrative-territorial division of Mongolia. Dr. Chuluun teaches graduate courses in ecosystem science, global environmental change and sustainable development, and directs graduate students.
See the webpage for more details:
http://www.nrel.colostate.edu/people/people.php?Main_ID=125
Dr. Doraipandian Kannan graduated in Botany from the Madurai Kamaraj University, Tamil Nadu state, India in 1987 and awarded with Ph.D., in plantation forestry by the same University in 1996. He received grants from Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, India for his post-doctoral research on tree improvement with Rhizobium inoculation. Meanwhile, he collaborated with the Tamil Nadu Social Forestry Division to undertake a project on the agro-forestry practices done at the tank foreshores. The outcome of his research has been utilised in the R&D and extension works, which are the major components of the Biomass Research Centre Project, funded by the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources, Government of India, New Delhi, sanctioned to the Plant Sciences Department, School of Biological Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj Unviersity, Madurai, India. Since 1999, he has worked as a Lecturer at the Botany research centre, VHN Senthikumara Nadar College, Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu. He currently is a Lecturer in Thiagarajar College, Madurai. His current research topics include the ethno-botany and other range community development including natural resources management. He has published over 25 papers in peer reviewed journals and symposia proceedings and book chapters. He has an active network of contacts in Australia, having collaborated with researchers in parts of India
Professor Zhang is a supervisor for master and PhD students in the China Agricultural University, Beijing and academic director for Chinese Grassland Society (CGS), a secretary-general of Youth Committee of the CGS, an associate secretary of forage breeding resources committee of the CGS, an advisor of China Green Food Association, a reviewer for the project of the National Natural Science Foundation Committee, and reviewer for the journal of Livestock Science, Acta Agrestia Sinica, Acta Prataculturae Sinica,and Acta Ecologica Sinica.
Dr Zhang Yingjun graduated BS (in grassland science from Inner Mongolia Agricultural University) in 1993, with his MS (1996) and PhD from Gansu Agricultural University in 1999, was engaged in the grassland livestock researches as a postdoctoral fellow in the National Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science in Japan from 1999 to 2001, and was appointed to his current position in the China Agricultural University in 2001. He has visited South Africa, Ireland, Britain, Australia and New Zealand as well as the United State for the academic exchange and communication. He has published about 5 books and 52 papers, was recognized in 2002 and 2004 by the Ministry of Agriculture for his contribution to grassland technology extension, and awarded the title of a 21st Century of Talent Honour by the Ministry of Education, China in 2007.
Israel Feldman graduated in agronomy from the National University of Le Plata and completed his MSc at the University of Nebraska. He is currently a Private Consultant commencing his original career as an INTA researcher in agronomy (grassland management) and later range and brush management . As a consultant he has worked on many projects planning agro-forestry and range enterprises and has many scientific publications and reports, also finding time for lecturing as Professor of Plant Ecology at the National University of Rosaria. In his spare time he is also a rancher!! He has been a vice -president of the Ecological Society of Argentina and the founding President of the Range Management Society of Argentina from 2000 to 2003.
Urs Kreuter is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management at Texas A&M University. He received a BS (1982) and MS (1985) in Agriculture from the University of Natal, South Africa, and an MA in Economics (1989) and Ph.D. in Range Science (1992) from Utah State University, USA. Before coming to the USA, Dr. Kreuter was a Research Officer with the South African Department of Agriculture, where he investigated the selective behavior of livestock under different grazing management systems. His Ph.D. research focused on the comparative economics of cattle and wildlife production systems in the midlands of Zimbabwe and he also lectured at the University of Natal. Dr. Kreuter was a post-doctoral researcher at Texas A&M University from 1993- 1994 and joined Texas A&M University as a faculty member in the Department of Rangeland Ecology and Management in 1998.
Dr. Kreuter currently teaches an undergraduate capstone course in Ecosystem Management, a Study Abroad Course in South Africa that focuses on biodiversity conservation and eco-tourism, and a graduate course in Ecological Economics. Dr. Kreuter's research focuses on elucidating the human dimensions of ecosystem management. Dr Kreuter's research aims to inform policy aimed at creating positive incentives for the sustainable use and management of terrestrial ecosystems under a broad range of land tenure systems. His research has both national and international dimensions. Dr Kreuter has published more than 20 peer reviewed journal articles, four book chapters and has co-edited or coauthored two books in addition to numerous other articles and reports.
See this web page for more details:http://rangeland.tamu.edu/people/kreuter/
Professor Sabiiti has a total of over 30 years of working experience in agricultural/rangeland research, university teaching, graduate supervision and outreach including administrative experience as well as national, regional and international exposure. He has mentored 30 graduate students at Masters and PhD levels. He has on record over 100 science and technology publications that have been of value to Government and many public /private and communities. Of the 30 years spent, 27 years have been spent with Universities in Uganda & abroad. He has managerial skills in University as head Crop Science – 1993 – 1994 and as Dean, Faculty of Agriculture from 1994 – 2003. He has risen from the ranks of Special Assistant, Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor & full Professor in 1998.He is a Fellow of TWAS and UNAS and Vice President of Uganda National Academy of Sciences (UNAS) a body of eminent Scientists in Uganda who promote science and technology for prosperity for all Ugandans He was recently recognised and elected Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS) based in Nairobi, Kenya. He is a member of the Advisory Committee on Agricultural Sciences of TWAS and its Chairperson as well as a Member of the Advisory Committee on Science and Technology of the Third World National Sciences Organisations (TWNSO.)
He has taught and initiated several undergraduate courses in Pasture Agronomy, Principles of Agronomy, Economic Botany and Crop Physiology, Principles of Ecology, Forest Fire Protection, Range resources management, Seed Science and Technology* and Graduate courses in Advanced Grassland Ecology, Advanced Grassland Agronomy and Utilization, Eco-physiology*, Seed Science and Technology, Utilisation and conservation of plant genetic resources* and Biodiversity Conservation and development*.
Prof Sabiiti has supervised over 30 graduate students (MSC/PhD) all specializing in grassland /rangeland sciences and agriculture. He recently won the Makerere University Vice Chancellor’s Innovations and Academic Excellence Award (First Prize, 2007/2008.
Professor Sabiiti has also been involved in consultancies with national and international agencies. The celebrated consultancy for him involved a report titled Realizing the Promise & Potential of African Agriculture: Science & Technology Strategies for Improving Agricultural productivity and food security in Africa by Inter Academy Council – June 2004. The secretary general of the UN commissioned this study & Professor Sabiiti was one of the 18 International experts on the Inter Academy panel that conducted the study. He has been on committees of experts in establishing new Universities in Uganda e.g. Gulu, Busoga, Kabale, Mutesa Royal University and Cavendish University in Uganda, vetting Universities for licenses by the Ministry of Education and Sports and the National Council of Science for Higher Education (NCHE). He presented his Professorial Inaugural lecture to Makerere University Academia on “Grasslands: A Resource for Humanity” in Dec 2004 that earned him a standing ovation. A FELLOW of the Salzburg Seminar 1999-2003 for effectively participating in the EARTH University Project- with EARTH University Project on Sustainability, Education and Management of Change in the Tropics conducted at Salzburg, EARTH, Costa Rica, Jinja, Uganda, Thailand, Norway. He was a steering committee member for the formulation of Plan for modernizing Agriculture (PMA) and a pioneer Director on NAADS Board since 2002 and in addition sits on many National and International Boards/Committees such as dealing with Higher Education policies and their implementation. Prof Sabiiti coordinated successfully an eight year Community based research for improving the livelihoods of pastoral communities in range lands and ensuring sustainable food security and the environment. All his 30 years of uninterrupted research have focused on increasing food security and poverty reduction for the peoples of Uganda and indeed Africa through of appropriate science and technology developments. He is the Vice President of the Uganda National Academy of Sciences and Chairperson of the Science Education Committee. He spearheaded the formation of the Association of Uganda Professional Agriculturalists (ASUPA) of which he is its President.
Dr Iain Wright graduated with a BSc Agriculture from the University of Aberdeen in 1978 and then gained his PhD in Ruminant Nutrition from University of Edinburgh in 1981. His early research at the Hill Farming Research Organisation in Scotland focussed on nutrition, reproductive physiology and grazing management for beef cattle in temperate systems. This research formed the basis of much of the advice provided by the extension services in the United Kingdom to agriculture on the nutritional and grazing management of beef cattle. From 1987 he worked at the Macaulay Institute, Aberdeen and managed a series of research programmes, including Land Use Options for Animals and Integrated Land Use Systems. In the 1990’s his research concentrated on livestock-environment interactions in rangeland systems in Europe and Asia.
He was Chief Executive of Macaulay Research Consultancy Services from 2003 to 2006, the commercial arm of the Macaulay Institute, Aberdeen, Scotland, which provided research and consultancy services on land and water management to both public and private sector organisations internationally. He was an Associate Editor of the journal Grass and Forage Science from 1992 to 2005 and is a past Council Member and Chairman of the Publications Committee of the British Society of Animal Science.
He has an active network of contacts in Europe, having collaborated with researchers in most Western European countries and in Asia. He has a good knowledge of European and Asian grassland and rangeland ecosystems, having collaborated in or led rangeland research projects in Central Asia and South Asia since the mid 1990’s.
From 2006 he has been Regional Representative for Asia of the International Livestock Research Institute, based in New Delhi, India.
His current research is mainly on the role of livestock systems in poverty reduction and rural development. He has published over 40 papers in peer reviewed journals and numerous book chapters and other reports
Professor Zhao is a lecturer in the College of Ecology and Environment at the Inner Mongolia Agricultural University having undertaken post-doctoral research in Canada. Her research interests include range ecology, grazing management, genetic diversity in native plants, and whole ecosystems including the socio-economic aspects. She more recently has become involved with the project management side of the Sustainable Agriculture program in Inner Mongolia funded by CIDA and the Farming Systems studies conducted jointly with ACIAR and DAFFA, Australia. She was heavily involved with the management and administration of the 2008 Hohhot IX IRC Congress.