Layal Atassi

Layal Atassi is an experienced GIS Lab Manager at the Geoinformatics Unit of the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), with a tenure beginning in June 2004. At ICARDA, Layal has successfully led the GIS component for over 20 agricultural research projects, contributing to published works in scientific journals, and has developed watershed maps and characteristics for hydrological layers in Afghanistan. Additionally, management of the ICARDA data schema and metadata for the open data geo portal has been a significant responsibility. Layal previously served as a Spatial Data Specialist, overseeing meteorological data for a Gene Bank project, and managed spatial data repositories. Earlier experience as an Engineering Assistant at SURADEC involved drafting and digitizing maps for urban projects in Basra and Aleppo. Education includes an MSc in Applied Geographical Information Systems from The Manchester Metropolitan University and an Associate Degree in Engineering Drafting from Aleppo University.