J-WAFS Appoints Daniela Giardina as New Executive Director

The Abdul Latif Jameel Water and Food Systems Lab (J-WAFS) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has appointed Daniela Giardina as its new executive director, effective at the beginning of the fall semester. Giardina succeeds Renee J. Robins, the founding executive director, who is retiring after nearly a decade of dedicated service to the program since its inception in 2014.

Giardina brings a wealth of expertise in water and food security, alongside strong management and leadership skills. Robins expressed confidence in Giardina’s ability to lead J-WAFS, stating, “Since I first met her nearly 10 years ago, I have been impressed with her commitment to working on global water and food challenges through research and innovation.” Robins emphasized her happiness in passing the leadership to Giardina, whom she describes as experienced and capable.

J-WAFS: A Decade of Innovation and Impact

J-WAFS aims to tackle pressing global challenges related to water and food systems, particularly as the world faces a growing population and climate change. Over its first ten years, the lab has provided nearly $26 million in grants, fellowships, and awards to the MIT community, impacting around 10 percent of MIT’s faculty and supporting approximately 300 students, postdoctoral researchers, and staff from 40 different departments and labs.

The lab’s funding opportunities encompass a wide range of disciplines, including engineering, science, technology, social sciences, and urban planning. J-WAFS promotes early-stage projects, student mentorship, and international collaborations, thus fostering an environment of innovation and research. The urgency surrounding the global water, food, and climate crises continues to highlight the importance of J-WAFS’ work.

Giardina joins J-WAFS during a significant period, as the program recently celebrated its tenth anniversary with an event attended by MIT leadership, researchers, and stakeholders from the J-WAFS community. She expressed her enthusiasm about taking on this role at a pivotal moment, saying, “I am truly honored to join J-WAFS at such a pivotal moment.”

Giardina’s Experience and Vision

With nearly two decades of experience, Giardina has worked extensively with non-governmental organizations and research institutions on humanitarian and development projects across Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Central and Southeast Asia. Her focus has primarily been on water and food security, conducting technical training, managing project implementation, and overseeing monitoring and evaluation.

Prior to her appointment at J-WAFS, Giardina was with Oxfam America, where she directed initiatives related to disaster risk reduction and climate resilience. In this capacity, she managed multimillion-dollar projects, supervised international teams, and ensured rigorous monitoring across various programs. Her partnership with MIT’s D-Lab to launch an innovation lab in rural El Salvador exemplifies her commitment to connecting research with community-oriented implementation.

Giardina holds a PhD in sustainable development from the University of Brescia, Italy, and a master’s degree in environmental engineering from the Politecnico of Milan. As a chartered engineer since 2005, she has also served as vice chair of the Boston Network for International Development, further reflecting her dedication to building partnerships and advancing equitable access to water and food.

“I have seen first-hand how climate change, misuse of resources, and inequality are undermining water and food security around the globe,” Giardina noted. She expressed her excitement about J-WAFS’ interdisciplinary approach and the potential for meaningful partnerships to address these critical issues. Giardina aims to expand J-WAFS’ impact by enhancing existing programs and developing new initiatives that will translate MIT’s research into real-world solutions.

Renee Robins leaves a significant legacy after over 23 years of service to MIT. A distinguished alumna, she graduated from MIT with dual bachelor’s degrees in biology and humanities/anthropology before earning a master’s degree in public policy from Carnegie Mellon University. Robins joined J-WAFS as its founding executive director in late 2014 and has been instrumental in building the program from the ground up.

Throughout her tenure, Robins inspired a diverse range of researchers to apply their expertise to water and food challenges. Her leadership fostered a vibrant community of faculty, students, and research staff, encouraging collaboration and innovation.

As J-WAFS embarks on its next chapter, Rohit Karnik, the Abdul Latif Jameel Professor of Water and Food in the MIT Department of Mechanical Engineering, will oversee Giardina as the new executive director. He expressed confidence in Giardina’s ability to continue the tradition of excellence established by Robins and former director John Lienhard, stating, “I am confident that with Daniela as executive director, J-WAFS will continue in the tradition of excellence that Renee and John put into place.”

Giardina’s appointment marks a new era for J-WAFS as it seeks to address the urgent challenges of water and food security in a rapidly changing world.