Twelve Humphrey Fellows stand together in two rows on the grass of a lawn on the UC Davis campus in the sunlight. They wear a combination of culturally traditional and business dress.
The 2023-24 UC Davis Humphrey Fellowship Program Fellows include 12 fellows from 12 different countries. (TJ Ushing/UC Davis)

UC Davis Welcomes 12 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellows

The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program, a prestigious program bringing accomplished mid-career professionals from countries around the world to host universities throughout the United States, returns to UC Davis as 12 Fellows from 12 different countries arrive on campus. During the 2023-24 academic year, the UC Davis Humphrey Fellows will focus on strengthening their professional skills, improving their leadership abilities and engaging in meaningful collaboration and connections across campus. 

This is the 32nd cohort of Humphrey Fellows hosted by UC Davis. Since 1986, the university has welcomed 332 Humphrey Fellows from more than 100 countries. UC Davis is one of 13 university hosts of the Humphrey Fellowship program, an initiative of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, which is administered by the Institute of International Education.  

“We are excited to welcome our 2023-24 Humphrey Fellowship cohort with a robust and engaging program,” said Jennie Konsella-Norene, associate director of the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship in UC Davis Global Affairs. “The UC Davis and Davis communities will have many opportunities to connect with our experienced cohort to exchange information and ideas. We are fortunate to be joined this year by highly qualified leaders in renewable energy, water, climate change, natural resources and agriculture”  

The 2023-24 cohort includes Fellows from Botswana, Brazil, Chile, China, Fiji, Iran, Israel, Liberia, Mongolia, Timor-Leste, Trinidad and Tobago, and Turkmenistan. With many years of experience across environmental, climate and agricultural issues, Fellows are actively working to achieve the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a set of 17 goals adopted by all UN member states that aim to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. 

“We are proud of our cohort's many diverse backgrounds, experiences and skills. Our Fellows will enhance their professional development and grow their networks as they make connections and work together toward resolving some of today’s most critical challenges,” said Dr. Karen Beardsley, director of the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program in UC Davis Global Affairs.  

The cohort will connect with many key partners, including local non-profit organizations, government units and campus partners. The Fellows will have opportunities to engage in community events, conferences and seminars.  

“This is always an exciting time of year. We look forward to the many collaborations that will come from the Fellows’ time at UC Davis and beyond,” said Joanna Regulska, vice provost and dean of Global Affairs. “It is truly a mutually beneficial program; by sharing, learning and engaging with one another we build expertise and capacity to foster change and solve critical challenges around the world.” 

Those interested in connecting and collaborating with the Humphrey Fellowship Program at UC Davis should contact Director Karen Beardsley at kbeardsley@ucdavis.edu or Associate Director Jennie Konsella-Norene at jknorene@ucdavis.edu

2023-24 UC Davis Hubert H. Humphrey Fellows 

  • Lito Amaral Ximenes, Timor-Leste 
    • Specialization: Water quality control, sustainable land management. 
  • Liwen Chen, China 
    • Specialization: Rural environmental issues, waste management, sustainable development. 
  • Baigalmaa Chinbat, Mongolia 
    • Specialization: Renewable energy and finance (seeking and managing funds), wind energy. 
  • Ar'slan Garryyev, Turkmenistan 
    • Specialization: Renewable energy and finance, solar and wind. 
  • Mpho Keatlholetswe, Botswana 
    • Specialization: Environmental education for climate change adaptation.  
  • Anthony Kullie, Liberia 
    • Specialization: Adaptation and mitigation measures to reduce the impacts of climate change on water resources, specifically focusing on sea level rise, flooding and coastal erosion. 
  • Pilar Lillo, Chile 
    • Specialization: Animal health, food safety and standards including residue level and export control. 
  • Rosani Matoso Silva, Brazil 
    • Specialization: Sustainable ag education and food security in indigenous and afro‐Brazilian communities. 
  • Ilaisa Naca, Fiji 
    • Specialization: Pacific island climate resilience, adaptation, mitigation, resilience building. 
  • Kara Roopsingh, Trinidad and Tobago 
    • Specialization: Managing heritage sites, mitigating climate degradation, M&E. 
    Daphna Tish Faigenboim, Israel 
    • Specialization: Legal solutions to food‐related national issues, food security, climate change, desertification. 
    Bagher Yousefi, Iran 
    • Specialization: Sustainable water and irrigation management, condensation irrigation. 

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