Dr. Luis Pocasangre Enamorado will be the new Director General of CATIE

• The Honduran, with an outstanding scientific trajectory in agricultural research, will direct the international center.

November 27, 2023. As of March 1, 2024, Dr. Luis Pocasangre Enamorado will assume the position of Director General of CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center).

This appointment was made by CATIE's Superior Council of Ministers, after a rigorous selection process.

With a Master's degree in Plant Breeding obtained at CATIE in 1992 and a PhD from the University of Bonn, Germany, in 2000, Dr. Pocasangre has a solid background in the field of agricultural research. His experience includes prominent positions in international organizations and renowned universities.

He is currently 59 years old, married and resides in Costa Rica.

From his role as a senior scientist at Bioversity International for Latin America and the Caribbean, to his research directorship at EARTH University, Dr. Pocasangre has left a significant footprint in the field of tropical agriculture. He has collaborated with leading agricultural research centers worldwide and has mentored numerous young scientists from various parts of the world.

On behalf of CATIE's Board of Directors and staff, Gale Miller-Garnett, chair of the Center's Board of Directors, welcomed Dr. Pocasangre. "Together we will continue our mission to build a prosperous and sustainable future for the Latin America and Caribbean region," Miller-Garnett said.   

"CATIE continues to be a pioneering institution that works tirelessly and undertakes high-impact initiatives for the betterment of both people and nature in Latin America and the Caribbean. As we celebrate 50 years of existence, we are confident that the experience, skills and attributes that Dr. Pocasangre possesses will be crucial in helping us redouble our efforts to collaborate closely with existing and new partners as we forge new frontiers to address the challenges facing tropical agriculture," added Miller-Garnett.

As director general elect, Dr. Pocasangre will begin a transition period with the current director general, Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim, which will run from December 2023 to February 2024.

Dr. Ibrahim extended warm congratulations to the new director general and noted his enthusiasm to work together with him so that the transition will be successful. "I appreciate his interest in leading CATIE and will give him my full support," he said. He also thanked the other candidates for their interest in supporting the institution.

Dr. Pocasangre, recognized for his contributions to the agricultural sector, will officially serve as CATIE's director general beginning March 1, 2024, for an initial four-year term, with the possibility of extending his term for an additional four years. His leadership promises to drive excellence in agronomic research and teaching at CATIE.

CATIE's Superior Council of Ministers congratulated the president and the members of the Center's Board of Directors for the excellent work done in the evaluation and selection of the candidates for the General Directorate; they expressed that the three selected candidates were very well qualified for the position.

About CATIE

CATIE is an international center for innovation and sustainable development in topics related to agriculture, management, conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. In 2023, it will celebrate 50 years of combining education, research and external projection in order to increase human welfare and reduce rural poverty. Its area of influence is the Latin American and Caribbean region, being a leader in the integrated management of agriculture and natural resources to address global challenges.