Dr. Victor M. Villalobos Bio
In 1976 Dr. Victor Villalobos obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Agronomy at the
National School of Agriculture in Chapingo, Mexico; in 1979 he obtained his
Master of Sciences in Plant Genetics at the Graduate College of Chapingo; and in
1983 he obtained his Ph.D at the University of Calgary in Canada (he wrote his
thesis on Plant Morphogenesis).
Dr. Villalobos is a well recognized expert in the agricultural and biological
fields, as well as in the natural and genetic resources fields. He is recognized
in the Hemisphere for his many outstanding contributions in these areas.
Dr. Villalobos has worked in a variety of positions such as full professor,
research leader, international appointee, government official, administration
executive, government mediator, and leader for multidisciplinary groups on
analysis and decision making. In the course of his long career, he has made
major contributions and has supported innovations in the areas of plant
production and natural resources conservation.
Dr. Villalobos has been appointed two times by the Mexican President as
Undersecretary in the Federal Government, the first time as Natural Resources
Undersecretary for the Secretariat of Environment, Natural Resources and
Fisheries (SEMARNAP), the second time, as Agriculture Undersecretary for the
Secretariat of Agriculture, Ranching, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food
(SAGARPA).
Dr. Villalobos has also been involved with international organizations for
technical cooperation. He was the Director of the Agriculture Division
(1986-1990) in the Tropical Agronomic Center for Research and Teaching (CATIE).
He has also served as the Executive Official on Biotechnology (1990-1995) and
President of the Board of Directors (1999-2003) of CATIE.
As a researcher, Dr. Villalobos has encouraged the use of agriculture
biotechnology as a tool for sustainable production, and to ensure enough food
production for Mexico and the world. Based on his long experience and several
fields of expertise, Dr. Villalobos has published two books: “Tissue Culture
Contribution to Plant Improvement and Conservation” (1982); and “Transgenic
Plants: Opportunities and Threats” (2007).
Dr. Villalobos has been instructor for undergraduate and graduate programs at
the Autonomous University of Chapingo (UACh); the Graduate College in
Agriculture Sciences (COLPOS); and the Center for Research and Advanced Studies
of the National Polytechnic Institute (CINVESTAV). Internationally, he has been
an instructor in the Tropical Agronomic Center for Research and Teaching
(CATIE). Dr. Villalobos has been instructor for advanced courses in Argentina,
Austria, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Ecuador, Jordan, Iran and Venezuela, among
others. He has also been the major professor for seven undergraduate and eleven
graduate students.
Dr. Villalobos has received very important and distinguished awards for his
outstanding scientific and academic contributions. He is a member Royal
Agriculture and Forestry Academy of Sweden; Honorary Doctor’s Degree of CATIE
(2004); Member of the “Scoping Team” for the Consultant Group on International
Agriculture Research (CGIAR); Member of the Science and Technology Commission
for the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT) and California
University (UC-Mexus). The President of Mexico distinguished Dr. Villalobos for
his contribution on agriculture biotechnology. He is Professor Ad Honorem for
the Graduate Collegue of Chapingo and distinguished alumni of the Autonomous
University of Chapingo.