Our Team

REO KAWAMURA

Director

Reo Kawamura is the Director of the Regional Knowledge Center for Marine Plastic Debris of ERIA. Prior to joining ERIA in July 2023, he was the Director of Office of Environmental Education at the Ministry of the Environment of Japan (MOEJ). During his over 20 years of service in MOEJ, he worked on various issues such as climate change, biodiversity, and promotion of sustainable fashion. He was recently involved in the new statutory plan about integrated enhancement of Japan’s environment, economy, and society, taking into account recent policy trends including carbon neutral, circular economy, and nature positive. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) in Environmental Policy Studies from the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), Columbia University.

REO KAWAMURA

Director

Reo Kawamura is the Director of the Regional Knowledge Center for Marine Plastic Debris of ERIA. Prior to joining ERIA in July 2023, he was the Director of Office of Environmental Education at the Ministry of the Environment of Japan (MOEJ). During his over 20 years of service in MOEJ, he worked on various issues such as climate change, biodiversity, and promotion of sustainable fashion. He was recently involved in the new statutory plan about integrated enhancement of Japan’s environment, economy, and society, taking into account recent policy trends including carbon neutral, circular economy, and nature positive. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) in Environmental Policy Studies from the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), Columbia University.

MICHIKAZU KOJIMA

Senior Research Fellow on Environmental Issues

Michikazu Kojima is an economist specialising in environmental policies, especially waste management and recycling in Asian countries. While currently serving as a Senior Research Fellow on Environmental Issues at ERIA, since 2015 he has also been the Chief Senior Researcher at the Institute of Developing Economies (IDE) under Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). He has long been actively engaged in the field of international cooperation and also serves as a member of the Expert Working Group on Environmentally Sound Management under the Basel Convention and the Technical Expert Committee for Green Industry Platform by UNIDO, and is a course leader of JICA training courses on recycling policy. He has a Master of Science degree in Agricultural and Resource Economics from the University of California, Berkeley.

MICHIKAZU KOJIMA

Senior Research Fellow on Environmental Issues

Michikazu Kojima is an economist specialising in environmental policies, especially waste management and recycling in Asian countries. While currently serving as a Senior Research Fellow on Environmental Issues at ERIA, since 2015 he has also been the Chief Senior Researcher at the Institute of Developing Economies (IDE) under Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). He has long been actively engaged in the field of international cooperation and also serves as a member of the Expert Working Group on Environmentally Sound Management under the Basel Convention and the Technical Expert Committee for Green Industry Platform by UNIDO, and is a course leader of JICA training courses on recycling policy. He has a Master of Science degree in Agricultural and Resource Economics from the University of California, Berkeley.

AYAKO MIZUNO

Programme Manager

Ayako Mizuno is the Programme Manager of the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris of ERIA where her responsibilities include project management, monitoring and evaluation, partner coordination, outreach activities, resource mobilization and team management. Before joining ERIA in November 2020, she held different positions in the international development field chiefly as a member of diplomatic missions as well as UN staff. She has been working on bilateral and multilateral cooperation projects, addressing issues such as poverty reduction, basic education, sustainable livelihood, women’s healthcare, economic recovery, and food security. She worked for over 12 years in North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Caribbean and is currently based in Indonesia where ERIA has its head office. She holds a master’s degree in international development.

AYAKO MIZUNO

Programme Manager

Ayako Mizuno is the Programme Manager of the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris of ERIA where her responsibilities include project management, monitoring and evaluation, partner coordination, outreach activities, resource mobilization and team management. Before joining ERIA in November 2020, she held different positions in the international development field chiefly as a member of diplomatic missions as well as UN staff. She has been working on bilateral and multilateral cooperation projects, addressing issues such as poverty reduction, basic education, sustainable livelihood, women’s healthcare, economic recovery, and food security. She worked for over 12 years in North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Caribbean and is currently based in Indonesia where ERIA has its head office. She holds a master’s degree in international development.

FUSANORI IWASAKI

Senior Research Associate

Fusanori Iwasaki is a Director for Policy Research and Executive Assistant to the President of ERIA. His research interests are in the fields of Political Science and International Relations as well as International Business studies. He is currently involved in several ERIA research projects, such as the study on the regional economic integration of ASEAN and East Asia, the automotive and parts industry, marine plastic issues in Asia, as well as small and medium enterprises in Asia. Prior to joining ERIA, he was a research fellow at the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (DC1). He holds a master's degree from the Legal and Political Studies Program at the Graduate School of Law at Kyoto University, Japan, where he specialises in International Relations. He is also an Adjunct Researcher at the Research Institute of Auto and Parts Industries at Waseda University, Japan; a Consulting Fellow at the Research Institute of Economy Trade and Industry (RIETI), Japan; a Visiting Researcher at the Institute for International Trade and Investment (ITI), Japan.

FUSANORI IWASAKI

Senior Research Associate

Fusanori Iwasaki is a Director for Policy Research and Executive Assistant to the President of ERIA. His research interests are in the fields of Political Science and International Relations as well as International Business studies. He is currently involved in several ERIA research projects, such as the study on the regional economic integration of ASEAN and East Asia, the automotive and parts industry, marine plastic issues in Asia, as well as small and medium enterprises in Asia. Prior to joining ERIA, he was a research fellow at the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (DC1). He holds a master's degree from the Legal and Political Studies Program at the Graduate School of Law at Kyoto University, Japan, where he specialises in International Relations. He is also an Adjunct Researcher at the Research Institute of Auto and Parts Industries at Waseda University, Japan; a Consulting Fellow at the Research Institute of Economy Trade and Industry (RIETI), Japan; a Visiting Researcher at the Institute for International Trade and Investment (ITI), Japan.

GRACE PRATAMA

Communications Officer

Grace Pratama is a seasoned professional, expert at public affairs, communications, and government relations, with over a decade of professional experience in embassies, regional and international organizations, and peace monitoring missions. With a wealth of experience in organizing and participating in high-level government meetings, negotiations, and public diplomacy, she currently leads the communication efforts for the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris at ERIA. In addition to her professional pursuits, she is dedicated to volunteering and fostering youth empowerment and cultural exchange. She holds a Master's degree in International Relations from the University of Melbourne.

GRACE PRATAMA

Communications Officer

Grace Pratama is a seasoned professional, expert at public affairs, communications, and government relations, with over a decade of professional experience in embassies, regional and international organizations, and peace monitoring missions. With a wealth of experience in organizing and participating in high-level government meetings, negotiations, and public diplomacy, she currently leads the communication efforts for the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris at ERIA. In addition to her professional pursuits, she is dedicated to volunteering and fostering youth empowerment and cultural exchange. She holds a Master's degree in International Relations from the University of Melbourne.

ELSA NOVIANI

Knowledge Management Associate

Elsa Noviani is the Knowledge Management Associate at the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris of ERIA. Prior to joining the unit in October 2022, she worked as a communications specialist for various development programmes covering women empowerment, children and education, as well as public health. During her ten years of communication-related work in both for-profit and not-for-profit sectors, Elsa gathered experience in social impact communication, risk communication and community engagement, as well as behaviour change communication. She holds a Bachelor of Communication Science degree from Universitas Padjadjaran.

ELSA NOVIANI

Knowledge Management Associate

Elsa Noviani is the Knowledge Management Associate at the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris of ERIA. Prior to joining the unit in October 2022, she worked as a communications specialist for various development programmes covering women empowerment, children and education, as well as public health. During her ten years of communication-related work in both for-profit and not-for-profit sectors, Elsa gathered experience in social impact communication, risk communication and community engagement, as well as behaviour change communication. She holds a Bachelor of Communication Science degree from Universitas Padjadjaran.

AULIA S. SUWARNO

Research Associate

Aulia Salsabella Suwarno is a Research Associate at the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris of ERIA. Before joining ERIA in in January 2023, she worked as a Data Analyst for the Minister’s Delivery Unit of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Indonesia, where she was involved in the formulation of the ministry’s Blue Economy Roadmap for 2045. In parallel, her passion for environmental conservation drove her to co-establish a youth environmental organization called Pratisara Bumi, aimed to promote awareness among Indonesian youths through social media. Her educational video about marine plastic debris won first place in the #Indonesia4Climate competition held by FPCI. Aulia holds a Bachelor of Science in Oceanography from Institut Teknologi Bandung.

AULIA S. SUWARNO

Research Associate

Aulia Salsabella Suwarno is a Research Associate at the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris of ERIA. Before joining ERIA in in January 2023, she worked as a Data Analyst for the Minister’s Delivery Unit of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Indonesia, where she was involved in the formulation of the ministry’s Blue Economy Roadmap for 2045. In parallel, her passion for environmental conservation drove her to co-establish a youth environmental organization called Pratisara Bumi, aimed to promote awareness among Indonesian youths through social media. Her educational video about marine plastic debris won first place in the #Indonesia4Climate competition held by FPCI. Aulia holds a Bachelor of Science in Oceanography from Institut Teknologi Bandung.

IVANA SURADJA

Research Associate

Ivana Suradja is a Research Associate at the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris of ERIA. Her past professional experiences include working and interning in a number of environmental conservation organizations across Indonesia as well as participating in research projects on ocean acidification, marine mammal social behavior, and coastal livelihood diversification. Ivana’s research interests include the human dimensions of marine affairs, marine tourism, and community development. She holds a Master of Marine Affairs degree from the University of Washington in Seattle.

IVANA SURADJA

Research Associate

Ivana Suradja is a Research Associate at the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris of ERIA. Her past professional experiences include working and interning in a number of environmental conservation organizations across Indonesia as well as participating in research projects on ocean acidification, marine mammal social behavior, and coastal livelihood diversification. Ivana’s research interests include the human dimensions of marine affairs, marine tourism, and community development. She holds a Master of Marine Affairs degree from the University of Washington in Seattle.

LYRA ASARIA UTHAN

Research Assistant

Lyra Asaria Uthan is the Research Assistant for the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris of ERIA, where she started her formal career in January 2023. Before joining the team, she was engaged with the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation Mawas in an environmental education program targeting children in the surrounding conservation area in Central Kalimantan, in which she was part of the project-based editing team. Lyra is currently supporting the team on the administrative and logistical front to ensure seamless execution of various activities of the Knowledge Centre. She holds a Bachelor of Social degree in International Relations from Universitas Diponegoro.

LYRA ASARIA UTHAN

Research Assistant

Lyra Asaria Uthan is the Research Assistant for the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris of ERIA, where she started her formal career in January 2023. Before joining the team, she was engaged with the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation Mawas in an environmental education program targeting children in the surrounding conservation area in Central Kalimantan, in which she was part of the project-based editing team. Lyra is currently supporting the team on the administrative and logistical front to ensure seamless execution of various activities of the Knowledge Centre. She holds a Bachelor of Social degree in International Relations from Universitas Diponegoro.

GHITA FADHILA ANDRINI

Research Assistant

Ghita Fadhila Andrini is the Research Assistant for the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris of ERIA. Before joining the team in September 2023, she studied International Relations where she focused on human security issues, particularly in the Middle East. During her undergraduate study, Ghita published several journal articles concerning human security and developed a strong interest in sustainable development. She holds a Bachelor of International Relations degree from Universitas Padjadjaran.

GHITA FADHILA ANDRINI

Research Assistant

Ghita Fadhila Andrini is the Research Assistant for the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris of ERIA. Before joining the team in September 2023, she studied International Relations where she focused on human security issues, particularly in the Middle East. During her undergraduate study, Ghita published several journal articles concerning human security and developed a strong interest in sustainable development. She holds a Bachelor of International Relations degree from Universitas Padjadjaran.

REO KAWAMURA

REO KAWAMURA

MICHIKAZU KOJIMA

MICHIKAZU KOJIMA

AYAKO MIZUNO

AYAKO MIZUNO

FUSANORI IWASAKI

FUSANORI IWASAKI

GRACE PRATAMA

GRACE PRATAMA

ELSA NOVIANI

ELSA NOVIANI

AULIA S. SUWARNO

AULIA S. SUWARNO

IVANA SURADJA

IVANA SURADJA

LYRA ASARIA UTHAN

LYRA ASARIA UTHAN

GHITA FADHILA ANDRINI

GHITA FADHILA ANDRINI

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