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Who we are

With research staff from more than 70 countries, and offices across the globe, IFPRI provides research-based policy solutions to sustainably reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition in developing countries.

Timothy Thomas

Timothy Thomas is a Senior Research Fellow in the Foresight and Policy Modeling Unit. His research focuses on the impact of climate change on agricultural productivity. Tim’s work involves developing innovative methods for simulated climate futures and model coordination between climate, crop, water, energy, and economics.

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What we do

Since 1975, IFPRI’s research has been informing policies and development programs to improve food security, nutrition, and livelihoods around the world.

Where we work

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Where we work

IFPRI currently has more than 480 employees working in over 70 countries with a wide range of local, national, and international partners.

Protein has reemerged as an important research and policy priority, driven by concerns about protein quality and adequacy, affordability and access, changing nutritional needs across the life course, and the environmental impacts of different protein sources. However, policymakers and researchers often lack an integrated evidence base that considers these dimensions together.

To address this gap, the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) and IFPRI have partnered on the High Potential Proteins Project, an integrated portfolio of research and communications designed to strengthen global understanding of protein and inform policy and investment decisions.

This project examines the full spectrum of protein-rich foods, including animal-sourced, plant-based, and emerging proteins, to generate evidence on their nutritional, economic, environmental, and consumer-related dimensions. It will also explore how factors such as incomes, food environments, and consumer preferences shape protein demand and consumption patterns.

Project duration: 2026 – 2027


Contact


Funders

U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC)


Funders

U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC)

Team members

Derek Headey

Senior Research Fellow, Development
Strategies and Governance

Olivier Ecker

Senior Research Fellow, Foresight
and Policy Modeling

Avinash Kishore

Senior Research Fellow, Development
Strategies and Governance

Soonho Kim

Senior Data Manager, Markets,
Trade, and Institutions

Nilam Prasai

Senior Data Curator, Communications
and Public Affairs (CPA)