Our team
Meet our WorldTAP team members:
- Karim M. Maredia, PhD
- Nanda Joshi, PhD
- Ruth Mbabazi, PhD
- Hashini Galhena, PhD
- Sunil, Madan, MPA
- Ramjee Ghimire, PhD
- Saltanat Mambetova, PhD
- Russell Freed, PhD
- Joseph Guenthner, PhD
- Evelyn Lemgo, MS
Karim M. Maredia, PhD
Director, World Technology Access Program (WorldTAP)
Director, South Asia Partnership Program
Director, International Programs
Professor, MSU Department of Entomology
MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
A416 Plant and Soil Sciences Building
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: (517) 353-5262
Email: kmaredia@msu.edu
Websites
https://www.canr.msu.edu/people/karim_maredia
http://www.karimmaredia.com/
Education
- 1985 - PhD Pest Management and Plant Breeding, University of Arkansas, USA
- 1982 - MS Agriculture, Alabama A & M University, USA
- 1979 - BS Agriculture, Konkan Agricultural University, India
Biography
Dr. Karim Maredia is a Professor and Senior Global Scholar in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) at Michigan State University (MSU). He serves as the Director of the CANR International Programs and Director of World Technology Access (WorldTAP) Program. The WorldTAP is a training, capacity building and technology transfer program in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at MSU. Dr. Maredia has worked in numerous international development projects funded by the USAID, USDA, UN-FAO, the World Bank, Rockefeller Foundation, Winrock International, and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Prior to joining MSU in 1989, Dr. Maredia worked with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) in Mexico as a Research Scientist for three years. Dr. Maredia has extensively traveled to more than 60 countries around the world and has disseminated knowledge, information and new technologies widely to the global agricultural development community. He has published more than 30 papers, book chapters and co-edited five books. For his contributions to International Human Resources Development, Dr. Maredia was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree (Doctor Honoris Causa) by the University of Ricardo Palma in Lima, Peru in May 2009. In March 2010, Dr. Maredia received the prestigious Ralph Smuckler Award for Advancing International Studies and Programs at Michigan State University. The WorldTAP Team that Dr. Maredia directs was awarded the 2014 All-University Excellent in Diversity Award for Advancing Global Competency. In September 2016, Dr. Maredia was awarded the prestigious International Leadership Award by the Indian Council of Food and Agriculture. In April 2017, Dr. Maredia received the prestigious Globie Award from the International Students and Scholars (OISS) office at MSU for providing mentorship to international students and scholars from all over the world. Since 2017, Dr. Maredia has been serving as a Member of the African Union (AU) High Level Panel on Emerging Technologies. In December 2018, this panel received the Science Diplomacy Award at the Science Forum in South Africa. For his contribution towards the development of plant protection strategies internationally and global promotion of food security, in November 2019, Dr. Maredia received the prestigious International Plant Protection Award of Distinction from the International Plant Protection Congress. In 2020, Dr. Maredia was appointed as a Member of the Advisory Board of MSU’s Institute of Global Health (IGH) and as a member of the Advisory Committee of the AsiaNexus platform of International Studies and Programs at MSU. Dr. Karim Maredia can be contacted via e-mail at: kmaredia@msu.edu or phone at: (517) 775 6627.
Ramjee Ghimire, PhD
Research Associate, Department of Animal Science
2265L Anthony Hall
474 S Shaw Ln, East Lansing, MI 48824
E-mail: ghimirer@msu.edu
Phone: 517-353-2409; Cell: 248-762-6660
Education
- 2016 - PhD Community, Agriculture, Recreation, and Resource Studies, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
- 2002 - MSc Agriculture and Rural Development, Western Sydney University, New South Wales, Australia
- 1992 - BSc Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Kokan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Maharashtra, India
Biography
Dr. Ramjee Ghimire earned his PhD from Michigan State University with a focus on international agricultural development and agricultural extension. He has been involved in multidisciplinary research, training and outreach focusing on food safety, animal health, community empowerment and sustainable agricultural development in Asia, Africa, and the U.S. Dr. Ghimire serves as the program manager for the MSU WorldTAP international short courses on “Food Safety” and “Zoonotic Diseases.” Dr. Ghimire serves as the member of the Department of Animal Science (ANS) Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee where he has been contributing to identify DEI related issues and challenges facing ANS faculty, staff and students, and teaming up with DEI committee members to effectively address them.
He brings over 16 years of experience in agricultural extension and advisory services, including but not limited to animal health and livestock production. Dr. Ghimire has been actively volunteering both within and outside MSU. He has been affiliated with several professional organizations including but not limited to American Evaluation Association (AEA), Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education (AIAEE), North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA), and Association of Asian Studies (AAS). He has been serving as the General Secretary at the Association of Nepalese Agricultural Professionals of Americas (NAPA) (https://www.napaamericas.org). At NAPA, he served as the editor-in-chief for the Policy and Research Brief Editorial Committee.
He has written, edited and reviewed book chapters, journal articles, policy briefs, bulletins, and posters on agricultural extension and education. Dr. Ghimire has been serving as the reviewer for over half a dozen journals and he is widely published.
Russell Freed, PhD
Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences
Professor Emeritus, International Agronomy
Plant and Soil Sciences Building
1066 Bogue Street, Room 384C
East Lansing, MI 48824
freed@msu.edu
(517) 353-0213
Education
- BSc. - Goshen College, Goshen, Indiana, USA
- MSc. - Michigan State University, Michigan, USA
- PhD. - Crop Science, Michigan State University, Michigan, USA
Biography
Dr. Russell Freed is a plant breeder and administrator, has been involved in international development and plant breeding for over 40 years, working 8 years for International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), living in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and the Philippines (1972-80) before coming to MSU in 1980. He ran the wheat breeding program for two years before taking over the oat and barley breeding program in 1982. He began working on canola in 2000, looking at canola varieties for Michigan. In addition to his breeding program, Dr. Freed was Deputy Director for the Bean/Cowpea CRSP for 10 years, Acting Associate Dean and Director of the Institute of International Agriculture for 2.5 years, 2-year sabbatical with the World Bank (Washington DC), Acting Director of Partnership for Food Industry Development – Fruits and Vegetables (2 years) and Associate Chair of the Crop and Soil Sciences Department. Dr. Freed has developed and/or reviewed international development projects for USAID, Ford Foundation, the World Bank and consulting firms. He developed an agricultural research software program, MSTAT, which he sold to researchers in over 120 countries. His teaching responsibilities include a graduate capstone course (CSS 892), plant breeding seminar (HRT 892), plant breeding and biotechnology (CSS441) and international development (CSS294) courses. His professional awards include the Ralph Smuckler Award - Advancing International Studies and Programs at MSU (2008), Michigan Crop Improvement Association Honorary Membership Award (2002) and the International Service in Crop Science Award (Crop Science Society of America - 1998).
Nanda Joshi, PhD
Associate Professor, CANR/ANS
Department of Animal Science
474 S. Shaw Lane, 2265 L Anthony Hall
Department of Animal Sciences, College Agriculture and Natural Resources
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
Phone: (517) 432-6167; (517) 980 -1181(cell)
E-mail: joshin@msu.edu
Education
- 1986 - PhD Animal Science, Michigan State University, USA
- 1979 - MS Animal Science, the Ohio State University, USA
- 1973 - BSc Animal Husbandry, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
Biography
Dr. Nanda P. Joshi is an associate professor in the Department of Animal Science (ANS), College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR), Michigan State University (MSU). His research interest is in animal agriculture and its impact in livelihoods of small farmers globally. He currently is responsible for ANS – international program and liaison for the department. As a member of WorldTAP faculty, he manages summer short courses “Food Safety” and “Animal Agriculture,” and “Dairy Production Medicine clerkship for Japanese Veterinarians” at MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine. He serves as the thematic leader in animal agriculture for the South Asia Partnership Initiative of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Before joining Michigan State University, he spent several years at the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Tribhuvan University as Professor in Animal Production. He has worked as a subject matter advisor to Nepal Agriculture Research Council (NARC) under USAID/ATS project in Nepal. He completed projects in Nepal and Tajikistan on improving livestock production systems by improving feeding strategies. Currently, Dr. Joshi is a co-principal investigator in a consortia project lead by Cornell University to establish a center of excellence in agriculture at Cairo University Faculty of Agriculture in Egypt.
Ruth Mbabazi, PhD
Research Assistant Professor
175-A Plant and Soil Sciences Building
Michigan State University
1066 Bogue Street, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
Phone: (517) 921-8313
Email: mbabazi@msu.edu
Education
- 2015 - PhD Biochemistry and Crop Biotechnology, Queensland University of Technology, Australia
- 2005 - MSc Food Safety and Quality Management, University of Greenwich, United Kingdom
- 1998 - BSc Biochemistry and Chemistry, Makerere University, Uganda
Biography
Dr. Ruth Mbabazi is a research assistant professor with the World Technology Access Program (WorldTAP) in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University (MSU). At WorldTAP, her work focuses on international capacity building and technology transfer. Dr. Mbabazi is also a core faculty with the African Studies Centre and the Asian Studies Centre at MSU. Her research focuses on the policy and regulatory aspects of emerging technologies. Dr. Mbabazi is working with several countries in Africa to enhance policies and regulatory frameworks governing biotechnology and seed systems. She brings more than 12 years of experience in agriculture policy, regulations and technology transfer as it relates to applications of modern biotechnology tools to enhance food and nutritional security and economic growth in developing countries. Dr. Mbabazi received her Ph.D degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from the Queensland University of Technology in Australia. She has technical expertise in biotechnology research and development, product stewardship, intellectual property management and biosafety systems towards the implementation of Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) of the Convention of the Biological Diversity (CBD). Dr. Mbabazi is a member of the biosafety regulatory team of the water efficient maize for Africa (WEMA) project in Uganda. She actively interacts with policy makers and other stakeholders from more than 20 national governments in Africa and Asia to support collaborative research, outreach and capacity building initiatives in the area of biosafety, biotechnology, technology transfer, and commercialization.
Hashini Galhena, PhD
Assistant Professor
Plant and Soil Science Building
1066 Bogue Street, Room 462
East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
Phone: (517) 355-0271 Ext. 1223
Cell Phone: (517) 755-7074
Email: galhenad@msu.edu
Education
- 2012 - PhD Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences – Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA
- 2010 - MS Agricultural Economics – Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
- 2007 - BS International Business – Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
Biography
Dr. Hashini Galhena Dissanayake received her Bachelor’s degree in International business and trade with minors in economic and finance from Oklahoma State University (OSU), Stillwater, Oklahoma. She then joined the Master of Science program in the Department of Agricultural Economics at OSU and proceeded to pursue a PhD from the Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences at Michigan State University (MSU). Dr. Galhena Dissanayake is currently an assistant professor at MSU and a member of the World Technology Access Program (WorldTAP) of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and James Madison College at MSU. Her research interest lies in the socioeconomic aspects of new science and technology on agricultural and economic development in developing countries. She has conducted research related to this topic in countries in Asia and Africa.
Sunil Madan, MPA
Outreach Specialist – South Asia Programs
A175D, Plant and Soil Science Building
Michigan State University
1066 Bogue Street
East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
Phone: (517) 353-0153
Email: madansun@msu.edu
Education
- 2014 - MPA International Affairs, Sciences Po. Paris, France
- 2011 - MA Economics, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Maharashtra, India
- 2000 - MSc Chemistry, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Maharashtra, India
Biography
Mr. Sunil Madan is an outreach specialist working with the South Asia Partnership Program in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) at Michigan State University (MSU). He is actively engaged in international outreach, coordination and program development in science, education, innovation and commercialization of products in India and South Asian countries. He provides coordination support for the planning, implementation, and advancement of collaborative research, education, training, faculty/student exchange program with India and South Asia region in International Development. He facilitates technology transfer activities between MSU and the public and private sector in South Asia and another region of the world. He assists in the development of proposals, work plans, progress reports, and short courses related to South Asia region. Mr. Madan brings more than 14 years of experience in agriculture research, development, policy, regulations, and technology transfer.
Joseph Guenthner, PhD
Prof. Joseph F. Guenthner, Ph.D.
Emeritus Professor of Agricultural Economics
University of Idaho
Email: jguenthner@uidaho.edu
Prof. Joe Guenthner, an Agricultural Economist has been collaborating with Michigan State University, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources WorldTAP`s Programs. He has been the faculty of the University of Idaho since 1980 and currently serves as a Emeritus Professor at the University of Idaho. Prof. Guenthner has expertise in the economics, marketing, and acceptance of biotechnology products. Prof. Guenthner has had three careers: farmer, professor, and international consultant. He works with several agricultural biotech companies, including Simplot Plant Sciences. He has volunteered in the USDA Farmer-to-Farmer program, working on projects in Africa and Asia. Prof. Guenthner earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin and Master`s degree from Montana State University. He received his PhD Degree from Washington State University. His education also included a Visiting Scholar position at the University of Cambridge in UK.
Evelyn Lemgo, MS
Visiting Scholar A175D, Plant and Science Building
Michigan State University
1066 Bogue Street
East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
Phone: (208) 310-6453
Email: lemgoeve@msu.edu
Education
- 2020 MS - Applied Economics, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
- 2015 BS - Business Administration, University of Professional Studies Accra, Ghana
Biography
Ms. Evelyn Lemgo received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Professional Studies in Accra Ghana. She then joined the Master of Science program in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology (AERS) at the University of Idaho. Her research focused on community economic development and sustainability initiatives, economic enfranchisement, and agribusiness development. Ms. Lemgo is currently a Visiting Scholar with the World Technology Access Program (WorldTAP) of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources where she is engaged in international outreach, international programs coordination, and research on the seed sector partnership enhancement between India and Africa. Before joining MSU in 2020, Ms. Lemgo interned for the WorldTAP program for six months in 2016 helping facilitate biotechnology technology transfer activities and summer Food Safety short courses.
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