Director for Policy at the Papua New Guinea Science and Technology Council and Secretariat, Dr Jeffrey Noro holds a PhD in marine biotechnology from the University of New South Wales in Australia. He is one of a handful of Papua New Guinean scientists in this field of study who looks at producing medicine from naturally occurring bacteria in the environment. His general interests lie in Science & Technology Policy development, and the discovery of drug-like marine natural products and natural toxins, with pharmaceutical and agricultural applications. He has been the team leader in the development of PNG’s Science, Technology and Innovation policy, STI Plan and the PNG Science and Technology Council Corporate Plan. Dr Noro has been part of the PNG cohort that underwent an APEC/Australia Awards Fellowship to undertake a Certificate in International Trade at the University of Adelaide in 2017. Undertaking this course gave Dr Noro insights into the economics of innovation and the importance of science and technology in developing global value chains.
In addition to his role with the Science and Technology Secretariat, he is also an Executive Director of ‘The Kainake Project’, a community-based organisation in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville that is working on community science and conservation strategies in rural communities in PNG. He has been responsible for leading and implementing community projects through partnerships with the International Union for Conservation of Nature, Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, Australia Museum and the Global Environment Facility – United Nations Development Program Small Grants Program. He has practical experience in implementing projects and developing stakeholder engagements strategies in culturally appropriate and respectful ways.
