Joachim von Braun is the director of The Center for Development Research (ZEF) at the University of Bonn. He is an agricultural economist and holds a doctoral degree from the University of Gӧttingen, Germany. His published research addresses international development economics including science and technology, policy issues of trade and aid, poverty and famine and health, and nutrition. He serves on boards of publishers of journals, as well as international advisory bodies of research and policy organizations.