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Genesys Advisory Committee

The Genesys Advisory Committee is a group of international experts who help guide the direction and growth of the Genesys platform. Think of them as our strategic compass, ensuring that Genesys remains a valuable and sustainable resource for the global community.

Role and Purpose​

The primary goal of the Advisory Committee is to provide high-level strategic advice and recommendations to the Genesys Team at the Crop Trust. By bringing together diverse perspectives, the Committee helps us make informed decisions that benefit everyone.

Specifically, the Committee focuses on:

  • Strategic Guidance: Advising on the organization, operations, and overall activities of Genesys.
  • Stakeholder Representation: Ensuring the interests of data providers, researchers, and policymakers are reflected in the platform's development.
  • Governance and Sustainability: Supporting the long-term health and stability of the platform.
  • Community Growth: Helping to welcome and onboard new data providers and stakeholders into the Genesys family.

Membership​

Our Committee brings together experts from the various groups that interact with Genesys. This diversity ensures that the advice we receive is balanced and comprehensive.

Expert Members​

Members are drawn from:

  • Data Providers: Institutions that share their PGRFA data.
  • Donors: Organizations that support the funding and sustainability of the platform.
  • User Groups: The scientists, breeders, and policymakers who use Genesys every day.

Ex-Officio Members​

To ensure alignment with global standards and institutional support, the Committee also includes ex-officio representation from:

  • The ITPGRFA Secretariat
  • The Crop Trust

Current members​

We are grateful for the expertise and time provided by our current committee members:

  • Zakaria Kehel (CGIAR) - Chairperson
  • Aluana Abreu (Embrapa)
  • Anne-Marie Frankland (BGCI)
  • Paul Shaw (JHI)
  • Stephan Weise (IPK/EURISCO)
  • Francisco Lopez (ITPGRFA, FAO)
  • Sarada Krishnan (Crop Trust)

Past members​

We also want to recognize those who have helped shape Genesys in the past, including:

  • Chris Richards (USDA)
  • Luigi Guarino (Crop Trust)
  • Semíramis Rabelo Ramalho Ramos (Embrapa)
  • Sunil Archak (NBPGR, India)
  • Peter Wenzl (Alliance Bioversity-CIAT, CGIAR)
  • Theo van Hintum (CGN)
  • Luciano Nass (Embrapa)
  • Robert Hijmans (UC Davis)
  • Graham McLaren (IBP)
  • Ruaraidh Sackville Hamilton (IRRI, CGIAR)
  • Paula Bramel (Crop Trust)

How it Works​

We work together through regular meetings and collaborative discussions.

  • Leadership: The Committee periodically elects a Chairperson from among its members to lead their discussions and coordinate with the Genesys Team.
  • Collaboration: The Committee reviews workplans, discusses priorities (like expanding trait data or improving multilingual support), and provides a bridge between the technical team and the global PGRFA community.