Monica Carvajal-Yepes

Monica Carvajal-Yepes holds a Bachelor's degree in Biology from Universidad Javeriana, Colombia, and a PhD degree in Virology from Albert-Ludwigs-University, Germany. After completing her studies and working as a Research Associate at Michigan State University, she joined the Alliance Bioversity International & CIAT as a postdoctoral researcher in 2012.

During her five years as a postdoctoral researcher, she focused on investigating the diversity of viruses affecting various crops, utilizing high-throughput sequencing technologies to characterize samples from multi-site field trials. In 2018, with support from the Rockefeller Foundation, she led a gathering of international experts to develop a global surveillance system for early detection, facilitating prompt responses to crop disease outbreaks.

In 2017, she transitioned to the genetic-resources program, spearheading the establishment of a genomics-based 'digital genebank' at the new Future Seeds innovation hub. This initiative aims to enhance the conservation and utilization of crop diversity. Monica actively participated in diverse projects aimed at deciphering the genetic composition of cassava, forages, and bean global collections. Furthermore, she plays a crucial role in coordinating the establishment of a Latin American hub for the global DivSeek initiative.

In addition to her various roles, Monica co-leads the OneCGIAR Plant Health Initiative. Her contributions extend to authoring and co-authoring several high-impact papers and active participation in national and international conferences.