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Irene Blanco Gutiérrez is an Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) and a researcher at the Research Centre for the Management of Agricultural and Environmental Risks (CEIGRAM), Spain. She holds a PhD in Agricultural Engineering (UPM), with research stays at UC Davis, and MSc degrees in Agrifood Economics (University of Montpellier 1) and Agrifood Policies (CIHEAM Montpellier).
She teaches Applied Microeconomics, Agricultural Policy and Rural Development, and Bioeconomy at UPM. She has also been an invited lecturer in France (CIHEAM Montpellier), Italy (CIHEAM Bari), Germany (Humboldt University), the UK (University of Leeds), the USA (UCLA), Colombia (Universidad de Santander), and the Dominican Republic (Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo).
Her research has been conducted across Europe, North Africa, and Latin America. She has led competitive research projects funded by the EU and the Spanish government, and collaborated with international organizations such as FAO and CEPAL, addressing issues related to water management, climate change, ecosystem conservation, and food security.
She serves as Associate Editor for Irrigation Science and the Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research, and as an expert evaluator for research and innovation programs including the EU Framework Programme, the Austrian Science Fund, the Polish National Science Centre, and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation.

What I can bring to this network ?

Research and teaching experience in systems science applied to water and agriculture.
Active involvement in research networks and collaboration with the European Engineering Learning Innovation and Science Alliance (EELISA), led by UPM, aimed at advancing a common model for European engineering education.
Publications and practical tools for systems analysis with real-world applications.

What I seek in this network ?

I seek opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, knowledge exchange, and joint research at both global and regional levels. I am particularly interested in learning from others’ policy-relevant experiences in tackling complex sustainability challenges, and in exploring how to translate these insights into education, through innovative training programs and academic partnerships that empower future decision-makers.

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What I can bring to this network ?

I can share regional experience on cropping systems, particularly from South Asia, Central Asia, and the MENA region. These regions encompass a wide range of agro-ecological zones, farming practices, and socio-economic contexts, which provide valuable insights into the design and adaptation of cropping systems.

What I seek in this network ?

I seek to be an active and engaged member of the Cropping Systems Network, contributing to community of practice. I aim to both share insights from my regional and field experience and learn from the diverse perspectives and innovations of other members. I am particularly interested in supporting the advancement of integrated systems science—bringing together agronomy, ecology, socioeconomics, and policy—to inform and strengthen key research and development agendas. By working collaboratively, I hope to contribute to the co-creation of knowledge and solutions that address the complex challenges facing cropping systems across different agro-ecological and socio-economic contexts."

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Santiago Lopez-Ridaura: Mexican agronomist with more than 20 years of experience on the evaluation and design of more sustainable agricultural systems at different levels of analysis. With more than 60 scientific publications in a wide diversity of topics, his main area of expertise is around the sustainability of small-scale farming systems, ex-ante and ex-post multicriteria assessment, natural resource management, agroecology and food and nutritional security. He has led and participated in several projects worldwide related to the development and implementation of agricultural innovations and integrated farming systems research with a wide diversity of partners and students. He is currently a principal scientist in the Sustainable Agri-food Systems Program of CIMMYT

What I can bring to this network ?

Expertise on methods and tools for systems analysis. Experiences in different contexts on the application of systems analysis methods and tools.

What I seek in this network ?

Collaboration with other disciplines

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Katrien Descheemaeker is Professor Plant Production Systems in the Plant Science Group of Wageningen University (Netherlands). Katrien's research focuses on farming systems analysis, soil-plant-animal interactions, sustainable development and resource use efficiency, with a special interest in the functioning and dynamics of mixed crop-livestock systems. Current activities combine experimental trial work with simulation modelling to identify and assess options for sustainable intensification and climate-smart agriculture. Across various projects on smallholder farming systems in sub-Saharan Africa, Dr. Descheemaeker designs participatory and co-learning approaches that aim to co-design tailored agricultural technologies and practices to improve farm productivity, food security, resilience to shocks, and natural resource integrity.

What I can bring to this network ?

Experience with research and education in systems analysis of agricultural systems. Educational material; tools and methods for systems analysis

What I seek in this network ?

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Jacques WERY is Emeritus Professor at l’Institut Agro (France). He has been teaching crop physiology, agronomy and agricultural systems during 37 years before moving to science and partnership management as Deputy Director General Research of ICARDA based in Cairo (2018-2021) and as Director of Science and Partnership at l’Institut Agro (2021-2024). He has been board member of the Seamless project on integrated modelling of agricultural systems (2004-2009) and Executive Secretary of the European Society for Agronomy (2010-2018).

What I can bring to this network ?

My time and passion in the coordination of the CoPSyS and the System-S platform.

What I seek in this network ?

Sharing capacities and building projects in an interdisciplinary framework.

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What I can bring to this network ?

What I seek in this network ?

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I am a hardworking PhD student who loves her field of agriculture. I hope to make long-term, genuine connections through collaborations, workshops, and trainings. I am fluent in English and consider humility to be my strongest virtue. I believe in kindness and teamwork, rather than solely pursuing my own academic motives

What I can bring to this network ?

My communication skills and my knowledge of Indian agriculture.

What I seek in this network ?

Genuine long term Collaborations where we can work on grass root level and bring a positive change towards agriculture. I hope to learn new technologies.

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Systems Agronomist dedicated to enhancing sustainable agricultural practices and improving smallholder farmer productivity in through advanced research in integrated soil fertility management and climate change adaptation.

What I can bring to this network ?

To engage with COPSYS to collaborate on interdisciplinary research and systems-based approaches, leveraging my expertise to drive innovative solutions for sustainable agri-food systems and address complex challenges in food security, environmental sustainability, and social equity. Contribution to tool development and implementation on systems analysis and design with a focus on smallholder production in the tropics. I will contribute expertise in agro-ecological practices, innovative research, or community engagement to strengthen the contribution the network

What I seek in this network ?

Gaining access to interdisciplinary expertise, collaborative research opportunities, and innovative systems science approaches that enhance your my in sustainable agri-food systems, enabling me to develop more effective solutions for food security, climate resilience, and agricultural sustainability while expanding your professional connections and influence in the field.

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MSc in Environmental Economy, Bachelor's in Agricultural Economics. I have been working at CIMMYT's Socioeconomic Program for Innovations, monitoring from the farmer's perspective, with a focus on gender and social aspects related to adoption and behavior. I have experience in research design, data collection, and analysis in LATAM.

What I can bring to this network ?

Experience with mixed-methods research and complex cultural and socioeconomic contexts.

What I seek in this network ?

Awareness of practitioners in the area, new skills and methods for analysis, as well as experiences in landscape/territorial complex studies.