Dr Liz Izquierdo has just joined CCRES as the new project manager replacing Mel King.
Liz has a PhD in ecology and a diploma in research management and worked as a scientist until 2006 in the area of plant biotechnology. Since she left the ‘bench’, she has been working as a research manager and in 2008 was part of a project working on biotechnology of bananas in East Africa funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
“Banana is a staple food in many countries in Eastern Africa however it has very low nutritional value,” says Liz. “This project aimed to improve the content of beta-carotene which could then been converted to vitamin A by humans. Vitamin A deficiency can cause blindness.
“The project also involved capacity building in science as a way to break technology dependency.”
Liz also worked for more than three years for the Corporate Research Centre in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health as a Research Program Manager for the Healthy Start Healthy Life Program.
“I am passionate about contributing to improve the quality of life for people living in disadvantaged circumstances,” says Liz. “I hope to contribute in the best of my capabilities to this fantastic project that has 3 components that are close to my heart, science, social development and management of natural resources.”
In her spare time Liz likes to bushwalk and is also a ceramist/potter.
