Coordinator
Shoichi Ando

Nationality: Japanese
Educational Background: Bachelor of Science in Architecture and structural engineering from Tokyo University, Doctoral degree from Tokyo University (engineering)
Professional Experience:
MLIT (Japan), CISMID (Peru), OECD (Paris, France), BRI (Tsukuba), Kitakyushu city government (Fukuoka, Japan), BCJ (Tokyo, Japan)
Areas of Interest: Disaster Mitigation (building and urban context), Urban Development (land use and landscape), Mapping
Hobby: Mountain climbing, Orienteering

Researcher
TRAN Van Giai Phong

Nationality: Vietnamese
Educational Background: Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, University of Architecture Ho Chi Minh City
Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning, The University of Hawaii at Manoa,
PhD in Environment Studies, Kyoto University
Professional Experience: Regional Work Plan Consultant of the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) Bangkok Office. He also served as a consultant for NGOs such as the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Bangkok Office and Development Workshop France (DWF) Hue City Office as well as the Thua Thien Hue Provincial Government in Viet Nam, particularly regarding projects related to the environment, disasters, including typhoon and floods, and housing.
Area of Interest: Disaster risk reduction, poverty, environment management, climate change adaptation, and disaster-resistant housing
Hobby: Swimming, travelling, reading

Researcher
Yoko Saito

Nationality: Japanese
Educational Background: Master of Disaster Management and Sustainable Development at Northumbria University, UK
Professional Experience: Prior to joining UNCRD, worked for a Japanese NGO for three and half years. Managing disaster relief and rehabilitation projects in Iran, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka.
Areas of Interest: Gender in Disaster, Community Based Disaster Management, Islamic culture, volunteer, Civil society
Hobby: Shopping, Travel

Research Assistant
Edward Y. Sumoto

Nationality: Venezuelan
Educational Background: Bachelor of Science in Foreign Affairs (Energy and Sustainable Development, STIA) from Georgetown University.
Professional Experience: Prior to joining UNCRD, worked with UNIDO-INSHP in China as program officer and also as a co-editor and assistant manager of a seperate UNF sponsored project on abrupt climate change and bioenergy in Europe and New Zealand.
Areas of Interest: Climate change and adaptation, human rights and DRR policy for minorities and foreign residents
Hobby: Playing and listening to music, salsa, travel, and cooking.

Research Assistant
Hayato Nakamura

Nationality: Japanese
Educational Background:Bachelor of Arts (Language and Area Studies), Tokyo University of Foreign Studies; Masters of Laws in International Business Law, Yokohama National University; Masters of Laws in Gender, Sexuality and Human Rights, Keele University,U.K.
Professional Experience:Prior to joining UNCRD, worked for a Japanese NPO on consultancy of disaster management, for Geneva/Tokyo based International Human Rights NGO as an assistant, and for local Women's organisation in India as an international assistant. Contributed to IFRC (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Society) for organising its World Disasters Report 2007 "focus on Discrimination".
Areas of Interest: Legal implementation of international standards, human rights in natural disasters
Hobby: Cooking, Travel

Operational Personnel
Yuka Yoshikawa

Nationality: Japanese
Educational Background: Bachelor of Arts in English from Osaka International College for Women.
Professional Experience: Prior to joining UNCRD, worked as an interpreter for government and municipal offices.
Hobby: Shopping, learning sign language