Elena is a plant cryobiologist. She joined the CropTrust in October 2016. As a member of the Science Team, she assists the Genebank Program Coordinator in providing oversight to the Genebank Platform. She also provides expertise and support to CGIAR genebanks in their efforts to implement modern methods of ex situ genetic resources conservation, including in vitro and cryobanking technologies.

Former experience includes creating the germplasm collection of endangered plant species at the University of Guelph, Canada and developing cryopreservation methods for various crops at the National Agrobiodiversity Center, Republic of Korea.