Rupantri joins PHAMA Plus as the Environment, Climate, and Resilience (ECR) Manager as part of our enhanced focus on ECR.

She has over 12 years’ experience in academia, as a researcher and lecturer at the school of science, Fiji National University (FNU) and the University of the South Pacific (USP).

Rupantri has completed her PhD in food technology from Massey University in New Zealand as well as a Master of Science, Postgraduate diploma in Biology and Bachelor of Science (majoring in Biology, Food and Nutrition) from USP.

She has led and contributed to several research work around sustainable food processing and the impact of environmental pollutants on selected seafood in Fiji. Her research using solar technology has been used for community interventions to improve the livelihoods of rural communities and women.

Her PhD thesis focused on designing a solar dryer integrated with a desiccant wheel and development of a novel mechanistic model, which uses climate data to predict the drying process for Fijian cocoa beans. Through her research, Rupantri has also authored several journal papers and a book.

As the program’s ECR Manager, she will work closely with PHAMA Plus country teams and partners to build and strengthen environmental sustainability and climate and disaster resilience in its program activities and interventions.

Contact: r.raju@phamaplus.com.au