David J. Spielman, a U.S. national, joined IFPRI in 2004 as a postdoctoral fellow based in Addis Ababa. His current research examines the role and impact of public-private collaboration in pro-poor agricultural research. Prior to this, Dr. Spielman worked on agriculture and rural development issues for the World Bank (Washington, D.C.), the Aga Khan Development Network (Pakistan), and several other organizations. His research interests include rural innovation systems, agricultural biotechnology, and community-based development, with a regional emphasis on East Africa and South Asia. He received a Ph.D. in Economics from American University in 2003, an M.S. in Development Studies from the London School of Economics in 1993, and a B.A. in International Relations from Tufts University in 1992.