Logotonu Meleisea Waqainabete, originally from Samoa, is responsible for the overall leadership and management of the Genetic Resources thematic area, including the renowned Pacific regional Genebank, CePaCT.  Prior to her current role, Logo was CePaCT’s Assistant Curator for five years, later becoming Curator for six years. She has technical and management experience in gene banking and the conservation of ex-situ crop and tree collections of the Pacific. Prior to joining SPC, Logo worked in the Research and Quarantine Units of the Ministry of Agriculture, Samoa.

Logo holds a Bachelor of Agriculture and a Post-Graduate Degree in Science (Biology) from the University of the South Pacific in both Samoa and Fiji. She is passionate about plants and their important contribution to meeting food requirements and healthy diets of Pacific people like herself. Logo hopes that through her Pillar’s work, people will continue to appreciate the value of science, technology and innovation to sustainable development.