Robert Nasi was born in 1959 in Nice, France. He graduated as a forest engineer from the French National Forestry School and achieved a PhD in the field of ecology from the University of Paris Sud – Orsay. Since 1982, he has been living and travelling extensively in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, undertaking research activities in the fields of ecology and management of tropical forests.
He joined CIFOR in August 1999 and held several research and management positions in the organization (principal scientist, biodiversity program leader, program director).

He is, since November 1st, 2017, the Director General of CIFOR, and since January 1st, 2014, the Deputy Director General for Research.

His particular research interests include the sustainable use of forest products and multiple-use management of tropical forests. His scientific work aims to integrate social and biological sciences for better management of tropical forests, more sustainable livelihoods and better designed forest policies. His main disciplines are ecology, botany, biometrics, tropical forest management, and silviculture. He has authored or co-authored more than 300 scientific publications.