Abdel Ismail is a principal scientist and the IRRI representative for Africa. He has over 30 years of experience in research for development, with a special interest in crop improvement to boost and sustain food production in less favorable areas and enhance resilience and adaptation to climate change.
Through his research, Abdel contributed to advancing knowledge in plant responses and adaptation to floods and salt, heavy metal toxicities, and nutrient deficiencies. His work also supported the development of tolerant breeding lines; facilitating the release and commercialization of stress-tolerant varieties; and developing and validating best management practices for different abiotic stress conditions to stabilize production, among others.
He works with partners in national programs, the private sector, and other stakeholders in South and Southeast Asia and in Sub-Saharan Africa to catalyze the establishment of effective seed systems and enabling enviroments for impacts .