Jean Christophe Glaszmann

Initially specializing in plant breeding and ecological genetics, Jean Christophe Glaszmann dedicated his early research to the assessment and utilization of genetic diversity in various crops including rice, sugarcane, sorghum, and banana. His seminal work included a comprehensive overhaul of the classification of rice varieties, profoundly influencing breeding programs at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). Additionally, his pioneering study on the sugarcane genome, compared with other grasses, significantly advanced the field of sugarcane genetics.

Spending five pivotal years at IRRI from 1982 to 1987, he returned to Montpellier, where he assumed diverse roles and responsibilities. He achieved his HDR (Accreditation to Supervise Research) in 1993, marking a milestone in his academic career.

Glaszmann served on the Board of Directors at Cirad, overseeing the Biological Systems (Bios) Department from 2007 to 2010. Subsequently, he held the directorship of AGAP, a prominent joint research unit in Montpellier focused on tropical and Mediterranean plant genetic improvement and crop adaptation, from 2010 to 2014. During his tenure, he also led the Sub-Programme on crop genetic diversity for the CGIAR Generation Challenge Programme from 2004 to 2010.

Recognized for his contributions, Glaszmann was awarded the prestigious Prix Jean Dufrenoy by the French Academy of Agriculture in 2008.