Josefina is a seasoned research and project management professional with over 20 years of experience in agricultural research, program development, and higher education administration. Adept at leading high-performing teams and managing multi-million dollar research projects, she excels in fostering effective partnerships and delivering outcomes through strategic project management and exemplary communication skills.
As Linkage Research Coordinator at UniSA Business, Josefina manages nearly 20 research projects with a combined funding portfolio of approximately $4M, overseeing all aspects of project coordination, and financial administration and management. She has also built resilient teams, improved stakeholder relationships, and contributed to numerous publications and technical reports.
Previously, as Research Manager, Publications Unit Head, and Assistant Coordinator - Crops Biotechnology Program at one of the planning councils of the Department of Science and Technology, Josefina led the development and implementation of national R&D programs, authored and co-authored various technical publications, and managed the dissemination of key research outputs. Her leadership in program and proposal development has secured significant funding to address food security, poverty alleviation and improved crop production technologies.
Her qualifications include a Master of Applied Science in Tropical Agriculture from James Cook University and a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of the Philippines Los Baños. Recognized for her professional contributions, Josefina has received multiple awards and fellowships, including the John Dillon Memorial Fellowship through the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research and the World Vegetable Center Research Fellowship. She was also a consistent finalist and recipient of professional service awards as research manager. 
Josefina possesses a strong technical skill set, including proficiency in Office Applications and various UniSA systems. Her commitment to continuous improvement is reflected in numerous training programs and roles in developing efficient business systems and processes at UniSA.