Ernesto Giron Echeverry

GIS Analyst / Developer / GeoSpatial Data Scientist / Consultant at

2009 - present

Short-term consultancies for a number of customers mentioned lines below

Independent Researcher / Consultant at International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center - CIMMYT. Carretera México-Veracruz, Km. 45, El Batán 56237 Texcoco, Mexico.

2015 - 2024

GIS/IT Consultant - Senior GIS Developer/Architect at INIF and Policía Nacional - DIJIN. Bogotá DC., Colombia.

2008 - 2009

Sala Estratégica de Intervención Contra el Hurto y la Falsificación” (Strategic Room of Intervention to combat the robbery and forgery) - Government Police of Colombia. Joint-position between Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Prevención del Fraude.

GIS leader and programmer at Instituto de Hidrología, Meteorología y Estudios Ambientales - IDEAM. Bogotá DC., Colombia.

Design and implementation of a platform for the national subsystem of hydrology and meteorology

Research Assistant I at International Center for Tropical Agriculture - CIAT. Km. 17 Recta Cali - Palmira. Colombia

2000 - 2006

Joint-position between CONDESAN and CIAT

• Catchments Analysis using Geographical Information Systems and several Hydrological Models.
• Spatial Database Administrator - SDBA for “GTZ Andean Basins” project and Concept Note 22 for “CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food”.
• Integrated watershed analysis and quantification of Hydrologic Response Units for eight (8) South-American basins located in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Argentina in order to assess the Payment for Environmental Services - PES.
• I gathered, organized, and processed meteorological and geographical data in order to support the process of decision making for natural resource management of thirty (30) Colombian basins.
• Development of Customized Geographical Information System to disseminate the watershed’s Information.
• Instructor for Catchments Analysis using ArcView GIS and Soil and Water Assessment Tool - SWAT software for a little more than one-hundred (100) Latin-American partners of CONDESAN.
• Programming Data Publisher and creation of Multimedia Compact Disc to facilitate basin data for researchers, institutions and universities that work in the Andean’s areas.
• Web Mapping Applications and maintenance on Internet Map Server.
• Analyze spatial data to further research goals and specific projects
• GIS and Global Positional Systems - GPS Support to several programs of CIAT.
• Design and Implementation of GIS Pocket PC Application to collect data in the field.

Visiting Scientist at United Nations Environment Programme - UNEP. USGS/EROS Data Center, Sioux Falls, SD. USA.

• Develop Web based GIS application to support SWERA NASA proposal.
• Gather and Analyze Satellite MODIS data for Africa and South America.
• Create and Evaluate 4 different Web based GIS prototypes for Solar and Wind Energy Resource Assessment.
• Document and update different UNEP/GRID applications.

Assistant Professor at National University of Colombia. UBGAA Engineering Department. Palmira, Colombia

2005 - 2006

• Lecturer in Introduction to Geographical Information Systems for four (4) courses per semester.
• Lecturer in Advanced Geographical Information Systems for one (1) course each semester.
• Lecturer in Basic Introduction to Remote Sensing as a part of Advanced GIS.
• To evaluate, prepare and create materials for each course.
• Participated in organizing extra-curricular activities

GIS and Remote Sensing Instructor at International Center for Tropical Agriculture - CIAT. Km. 17 Recta Cali - Palmira. Colombia

Intensive training in ArcGIS Image Analyst and handle Pocket PC device with ArcPAD Software plus Navman GPS in the field.

• Instructor for a day intensive training in ArcGIS Image Analyst.
• Taught to handle Pocket PC device with ArcPAD Software plus Navman GPS in the field.

Instructor at Consortium for the Sustainable Development of the Andean Eco-region - CONDESAN. National Agrarian University, La Molina, Peru

A week intensive training in ArcView/SWAT Hydrological Model

• Instructor for a week intensive training in ArcView/SWAT Hydrological Model.
• Generate three different upper catchments scenarios for the River Mayo in Peru.
• Collect data to introduce in the geographical database of Andean Basins.

Instructor at RANDI RANDI Non-Governmental Organization. Quito, Ecuador

A week course in geographic information systems and hydrological models

Instructor at CONDESAN and University of Piura. Piura, Peru

Course in geographic information systems and hydrological models

Instructor at International Center for Tropical Agriculture - CIAT. Km. 17 Recta Cali - Palmira. Colombia

Soil and Water Assessment Tool under ArcView GIS Software

GIS Consultant at Administrative Department of Municipality Planning. Cali - Colombia

04/02/2001 - 08/26/2002

Consultancy in Automated Mapping/Facilited Manager - (AM/FM)

• GIS Group Coordinator
• Diagnostic, Prospective and Strategic Planning of GIS in Domiciliary Public Services
• Development of Basic GIS for Urban Zone Public Services of the Cali city.
• Geographical Database Design and Implementation.
• Digital Cartographic in AutoCAD software for each service.
• Creation and Printing of different Thematic Maps.
• Writing technical reports
• GIS Support to the Municipality of Cali Employees.
• Development of Interface under ArcView GIS 3.2 for the Domiciliary Public Services data management of Cali city.

Consultant at Regional Corporation of Cauca Valley - (Corporación Autónoma Regional del Valle del Cauca) - C.V.C.

July, 2002 - November, 2002

Governmental in the Environmental Sector

• Watershed Analysis of the River Dagua using GIS and RS.
• Implementation of a Hydrological Model for the River Dagua Catchments.
• Development of graphical interface for Soils Admin - SIPA/SWAT.
• Creation of training reference and user guide for the developed software.
• GIS Support and Training for Soils Unit Users of the Environmental Corporation.

GIS and Hydrology Consultant at GFA Terra Systems GmbH. Hamburg - Germany.

03/11/2002 - 03/22/2002

• GIS Training and Analysis Tools for impacts and scenarios in environmental and productive projects.
• Instructor for 2 week training in ArcView/SWAT as a part of the National project entitled “Programa Forestal del Río Magdalena en Colombia” (FEDERACAFE - KFW). Held in National Research Center for Coffee - CENICAFE.
• Writing Reports and samples of ArcView/SWAT Modeling using of CONDESAN Methodology.

Visiting Scientist at United Nations Environment Programme - UNEP. USGS/EROS Data Center, Sioux Falls, SD. USA.

2006 - 2006

Wyckhuys, Kris A. G.; Giron, E. et al. 2025. Biological control protects carbon sequestration capacity of plantation forests. Entomologia Generalis. Schweizerbart Science Publishers. Stuttgart, Germany..

Giron E., Schulthess UC., Reynolds MP., Krause M., Crossa J. 2024. Identification of individual wheat lines that outperform under extreme weather events relative to average performance in international nurseries. CIMMYT Working Paper..

Azam Lashkari, Schulthess U., Montes C., Giron, E. 2023. Searching for optimal temperature response function for grain filling period to simulate wheat yield across the globe. In Press..

Giron, E. 2011. Guía para actualizar datos espaciales del servidor de mapas de los llanos. Convenio MADR- CORPOICA-CIAT. CIAT Technical Report. November, 2011..

Rubiano, J., Estrada R.D., Giron E. 2006. Identifying the sources of Nitrates and Phosphates in Fuquene Lake, the use of natural stable isotopes. CONDESAN-GTZ..

Rubiano, J., Estrada R.D., Giron E., Quintero M. and Pernett X. 2004. Payment for environmental services in the Fuquene Lake - Colombia. CONDESAN..

Estrada, Rubén D., E. Giron, M. Quintero and X. Pernett. 2003. Impact assessment of frost and droughts in production systems and their relationship with environmental externalities in Andean watersheds. CONDESAN Colombia..

Giron, E., Estrada, R.D. 2002. Sistemas SIG y Herramientas de Análisis de Escenarios e Impactos en Proyectos Productivos y Ambientales. Colombia, FEDERACAFE - KFW. Technical Report..

Torres, E.A., Giron E. 2002. Modelamiento Hidrológico de la Cuenca del río Dagua. Colombia. Corporación Autónoma Regional del Valle del Cauca - C.V.C. Technical Reports..

Giron, E. 2000. Guía de Usuario SWAT (Soil and Water Assessments Tool). (Spanish Translation). CONDESAN. Colombia..

Giron, E., Wyckhuys, Kris A.G., 2024. Forest carbon (CO₂) removals threatened by pests and diseases.

Giron, E., 2024. PyWheat: A Python library for simulation of wheat phenological development, crop growth and yield at large scales.

Azam Lashkari, Schulthess U, Montes C, Giron, E. 2023. Searching for optimal temperature response function for grain filling period to simulate wheat yield across the globe

Giron, E., Schulthess, U. 2022. iPAR Yield Model

Giron, E., Schulthess U. 2021. Global Spring Wheat Calendar

Giron, E., Hyman G., 2020. Detecting vegetation cover changes in Colombia's Orinoquia region: From Savanna to Forest in 4 decades (1980 - 2020).

Giron, E., Sonder K., 2020. CHIR Explorer: An Online Tool for Assessing Dry and Wet Conditions.

Giron, E., Sonder K., 2019. Global Climate Similarity Index platform for STMA project.

Giron, E., Sonder K., Ramirez M., Gardeazabal A., Vargas L., Arista J. 2018. Web Mapping app for Kellogg’s “Support for responsible sourcing in Mexico” project.

Giron, E., Sonder K. 2018. Conservation Earth for Insurance Companies.

Giron, E., Sonder K. 2018. An interactive visualization of accessions and germplasm transfers for maize and wheat.

Giron, E. 2018. Maize Modeler: a web-mapping app for crop suitability.

Giron, E. 2018. Maize Alerts Platform: A Machine learning approach for Monitoring Maize Pest and Diseases.

Giron, E., Sonder K., 2018. Enhanced version of Conservation Earth for BEM Parcels.

Giron, E., Sonder K., 2017. Conservation Earth API to support MasAgro parcels.

Giron, E., Sonder K., 2017. New version of GreenSat mobile.

Giron, E., Sevillano J. 2016. Mobile app with GIS support to capture field data for ECASE project. Fundación Club Farallones.

Giron, E., Sonder K., McDonald A., Rai A., and Mathys C. 2015. CSISA-GIS Viewer: geospatial support for an innovation systems platform. Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia (CSISA) - CIMMYT.

Giron, E., Ruberto C., Sonder K., Arista J. and Moncada, P. 2015. Web mapping platform for the new CRP Maize Atlas. CIMMYT - IITA.

Giron, E., Arista J., Sonder K., and Vargas L. 2015. Enhanced web portal for Conservation Earth, GreenSat and MasAgro web mapping support.

Giron, E., Sonder K., Arista, J. and Moncada, P. 2014. Integrated mapping platform for Wheat Atlas. CIMMYT.

Giron, E., Sonder K., and Arista, J. 2014. Interactive mapping platform for Maize Atlas. CIMMYT.

Giron, E., Arista J., Sonder K., Vargas L., and Ortiz J. 2013. Interactive mapping platform for MASAGRO component TTF. CIMMYT – SAGARPA.

Giron, E., Barona E., Hoyos J., Juarez H., Alabi T., Brown D., Creamer B., and Hyman G. 2013. RTBMaps - a cloud-based electronic Atlas. CGIAR - Research Program on Roots, Tubers and Bananas.

Giron, E., Ramirez J., Arango D., and Jarvis A. 2013. Online CCAFS Climate Analogues platform.

Giron, E., and Rosero J. 2013. Geographic Information System and web mapping application for National Parks of Colombia – Vigilance and Control Module. Anchicaya Basin agreement. PNN-EPSA-EPSA Foundation-EprodesaONG. Cali – Colombia.

Giron, E. 2013. Homologue Lite: Identifying Similar Environments Throughout the Tropical World.

Giron, E., and Hyman G. 2013. The new Generation Atlas for IBP Portal.

Giron, E. 2012. Using GIS-based Multi-Objective and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis to Support RTB Planning. CGIAR - Roots, Tubers & Bananas. Technical Report.

Giron, E. 2012. AGBO Tiles Maker for ArcGIS 10. Tools for creating and exporting vector and raster tiles to embed into popular online map servers.

Giron, E., Reymondin L., Coca A., and Jarvis A. 2012. Web mapping app prototype of the Terra-I visualizer. CIAT, TNC, HEIG-VD and King's College London.

Giron, E., Miazaki de Toledo R. Nascimento M., Castelo M., Pedro de Sá and Resende R. 2012. Mudanças Climáticas e as comunidades do Litoral Sul-SP. The Green Initiative.

Giron, E., Börner J., Hyman G., Barona E., Armas, A., Flavia and Porro R. 2012. Update platform for Population and Environment Web Mapping for the Sustainable Amazon (MAPAZ). Amazon Initiative Map Server.

Giron, E., Espinosa H., and Hyman G., 2011. Web based GIS app to support Global Agricultural Trial Repository.

Giron, E., Jones P., and Hyman G. 2010. Drought Timing for Agronomic Screening Application. Generation Challenge Program - GCP.

Giron, E. Arnaud E., and Hyman G., 2010. Web mapping app prototype to support the genebank accessions for three crops. GCP.

Giron, E., Sonder K., and Hyman G., 2009. Web based GIS app to support Africa trial sites.

Giron, E, Jones P., and Thornton, P. 2009. Web based GIS application for MarkSimTM DSSAT weather file generator.

Giron, E., Zapata E., Hyman G., Ramirez C. and Pachón H. 2009. Candidate sites for crop bio- fortification in Latin America.

Giron, E, and Hyman G. 2009. Global Seasonal Drought Index online. Generation Challenge Programme.

Barona, E. and Giron, E. 2014. Online Atlas of Roots, Tubers and Banana Crops - RTBMaps. Co- speaker on lecture delivered at the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) International User Conference, July 14 - 18. San Diego, CA, USA.

Creamer, B., Rodriguez, J., Hyman, G., Giron, E., and Nobre, M. 2014. SIEMPRE: A GIS aided multi-criteria decision analysis application. Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) International User Conference, July 14 - 18. San Diego, CA, USA.

Giron, E. 2012. Apps for Climate contest of the World Bank: wbPanorama. The World Bank, Washington DC, USA. June 27 - 29. (Oral Presentation)

Giron, E. 2012. Web mapping training course using ArcGIS Server and ArcGIS Online. Iniciativa Verde. Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil. June 4 - 14. (Instructor)

Giron, E. 2012. ArcGIS 10 server customization training for CIMMYT, SIAP, SAGARPA and INIFAP staff within the MASAGRO inter institutional working table on GIS and focalization. CIMMYT. Texcoco - Mexico. May 21 - 25. (Instructor)

Miazaki de Toledo, R., and Giron E. 2012. Climate Change and the local communities from Lagamar Brazil. Co-speaker on lecture delivered at the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) International User Conference, July 23 - 27. San Diego, CA, USA.

Giron, E. and Hyman G. 2011. Web tools for REDD Monitoring and Planning. Oral Presentation at Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) International User Conference, July 11-15. San Diego, CA, USA.

Hyman, G. and Giron E. 2011. Evaluation performance of agricultural technology: a database for adaptation planning. Co-speaker at Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) International User Conference, July 11-15. San Diego, CA, USA.

Hyman, G., Farrow A., Espinosa H., Giron, E., Jarvis A., Kularatne J. 2011. Agricultural technology evaluation: trial meta-database and file repository. Oral presentation at the General Research Meeting of the Generation Challenge Program. September 21-25. Hyderabad, India.

Hyman, G. and Giron, E. 2011. Generation Atlas. Proceedings Abstract and Poster Presentation. at the General Research Meeting of the Generation Challenge Program. September 21-25. Hyderabad, India.

Giron, E., Barona E., Hyman G. and Börner J. 2010. Estimating CO2 emissions and opportunity costs of avoided deforestation: Web-based GIS to support policy and program development for the Amazon. Geospatial Web and related cartographic research paper session. Oral presentation at Association of American Geographers (AAG) Annual Meeting, Washington, DC.

Hyman, G., Meneses C., Barona E., Giron E., and Perea C. 2006. Satellite imagery and information networks for monitoring climate and vegetation in Colombia. Conference Proceedings, Sociedad de Especialistas Latinoamericanos en Percepcion Remota (SELPER). Cartagena, Colombia. 24-29 September.

Barona, E., Giron E., K. L. Feistner, J. L. Dwyer, G. Hyman. 2006. Method of processing MODIS images for Colombia. Conference Proceedings, Sociedad de Especialistas Latinoamericanos en Percepcion Remota (SELPER). Cartagena, Colombia. 24-29 September.

Quintero, M., Estrada, R., Rubiano, J. & Giron, E. 2005. Measurement and Valuation of Water-Related Environmental Services. Special Session “Payment for Environmental Services” in the “Water for Food and Ecosystems” FAO-Netherlands Conference, January 31 to February 5, The Hague, Netherlands.

Rubiano, J., Giron, E., Quintero, M. and O’brien, R. 2004. Water Quality and Quantity, Modeling for Hydrologic and Policy Decision Making. Eos Trans. AGU, 85(47), Fall Meet. Suppl, Abstract H34B-08.

Giron, E., 2004. GIS Pocket PC and GPS Tools for collecting field data and analyzing Soil Quality Indicators. Oral Presentation at Taller Nacional sobre Indicadores de Calidad del Suelo. Ministerio de Agricultura y Desarrollo Rural de Colombia - MDAR y el TSBF-CIAT. Cali - Colombia.

Estrada R.D., and Giron E. 2003. Como Incorporar la Depreciación de los Recursos Naturales en las Cuencas Nacionales. Una primera aproximación basada en la experiencia de CONDESAN en los análisis de Unidades de Respuesta Hidrológica (URH). Arequipa, Perú.

Estrada R.D., and Giron E. 2003. Estimación del Impacto de Desastres Causados por Heladas y Sequías en los Sistemas Productivos y Externalidades Ambientales de las Cuencas Andinas. Herramienta para apoyar la planificación para el desarrollo de estas regiones. Piura, Perú.

Giron, E., 2002. Hydrological Models and GIS Workshop. Instructor at CENICAFE. Manizales - Colombia. March 2002.

Giron, E. 2002. Intensive training course in Geographic Information Systems, SWAT Hydrologic Model and Payment for Environmental Services. CONDESAN Methodology. Quito - Ecuador. November 2002. (Instructor)

Giron, E., 2001. Watershed Analysis course using Geographical Information Systems, ArcView/SWAT Model. Piura - Peru. November 2001. (Lecturer)

PhD. Urs Christoph Schulthess

Remote Sensing Scientist. Previous Boss. CIMMYT-Henan Collaborative Innovation Center, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China. E-mail: U.Schulthess@cgiar.org

PhD. Kai Sonder

Geographic Information System Laboratory Manager. Previous Coworker. International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Texcoco, 56237, Mexico. Telephone: +52 (55) 5804 2004 ext. 1342. E-mail: k.sonder@cgiar.org

PhD. Glenn Hyman

Senior Scientist in Agricultural Geography. Previous Coworker. International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Cali, AA6713, Colombia. Telephone: +57 (2) 4450100 Ext. 3731. E-mail: g.hyman@cgiar.org

I have known Ernesto for nearly 20 years and we have worked on numerous projects together. He is a first rate developer, highly skilled in programming and developing applications, especially those that have some GIS component. Ernesto works well in teams, especially when his clients can provide content and good ideas for him to put together applications on the web or other platforms. We did some great work with online atlases where Ernesto really put together appealing visual content and easy to use navigation. I have been involved in several projects with Ernesto that have won awards, in no small part because of his excellent work. Highly recommended.

PhD. Carmelle J. Terborgh

Lead Account Manager NonProfits and Global Organizations. ESRI. 8615 Westwood Center Drive. Vienna, VA 22182. Telephone: +1.703.506.9515 ext. 8013. E-mail: cterborgh@esri.com

MSc. Michelle Anthony

Project Leader. Previous Coworker. EROS Data Center. UNEP / GRID Sioux Falls. USA. Telephone: +1 605 594-6848. E-mail: anthony@usgs.gov