ABOUT THE REGIONAL KNOWLEDGE CENTRE FOR MARINE PLASTIC DEBRIS (RKC-MPD)
MICHIKAZU KOJIMA
MICHIKAZU KOJIMA
Senior Advisor
Michikazu Kojima is an economist specialising in environmental policies, especially waste management and recycling in Asian countries. While currently serving as a Senior Advisor on Environmental issues at ERIA, since 2015 he has also been 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.
REO KAWAMURA
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 the 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 the promotion of sustainable fashion. He was recently involved in the new statutory plan for 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.
AYAKO MIZUNO
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.
GRACE PRATAMA
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, Mary Jane 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.
FUSANORI IWASAKI
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.
Elsa Noviani
Elsa Noviani
Knowledge Management Associate
Elsa Noviani is a 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 degree from Universitas Padjadjaran.
AULIA SALSABELLA SUWARNO
Aulia Salsabella 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 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
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
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
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.
