Irina is Senior Economist with expertise in agricultural policy and economics, environment, and food security currently working in the Front Office of the Agriculture Global Practice. In her current capacity, she is preparing a regional program on agricultural education and skills development in Sub-Saharan Africa. Previously, she led a series of programs to strengthen environmental and water resources policies and governance in Colombia, Bolivia, Nicaragua and across the Latin American region. She has a PhD in Agricultural and Resource Economics from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Masters in International Economics from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.