Empowering Africa’s Scientists: Beakal’s Journey from Training to Impact

Professor John Carr

Head of the Plant Virology & Pathology Research Group, University of Cambridge

John Carr is Professor of Plant Virology at Cambridge University’s Department of Plant Sciences. John has collaborated with scientists in sub-Saharan Africa since 2010 in projects aimed at benefiting resource-poor smallholder famers by developing novel strategies to protect crops against plant viruses and their insect vectors. His research interests include viral subversion of plant resistance, viral gene expression, plant-virus-insect vector interactions, and the effects of virus infection on interactions of plants with beneficial insects such as pollinators.

Dr Chloé Orland

Ecology Advisor, Action Against Hunger

Dr Chloé Orland is the Ecology Advisor for Action Against Hunger, a humanitarian non-profit that fights against hunger and its causes. Her role consists in accompanying the field teams in developing programs that account better for biodiversity and ecosystems, that are adapted to climate change, and that mitigate negative impacts on the environment. Before taking on this position, she was a Postdoctoral Scholar at the University of California Santa Cruz, USA, where she was specialized in environmental and conservation genomics. Her main projects focused on the reintroduction of the critically endangered black abalone and on the use of environmental DNA as a research and management tool. She was also heavily involved in teaching and training undergraduates on these methods. Chloé received her PhD in Ecology from the University of Cambridge’s Department of Plant Sciences. There, her passion for education and scientific outreach led her to join the JR Biotek team and to collaborate closely with Dr Carol Ibe on developing and running workshops for the Foundation – a partnership that has now flourished for nearly a decade.

Dr Ruth Prempeh

Head of the Biotechnology, Seed & Postharvest Division, CSIR-Crops Research Institute, Ghana

Dr Ruth Naa Ashiokai Prempeh is a Senior Research Scientist at the CSIR-Crops Research Institute, leading the Biotechnology, Seed and Postharvest Division and the Molecular Biology Laboratory. A trained cassava breeder, she focuses on developing climate-resilient cassava varieties with consumer-preferred traits to enhance food security.A pioneer of the Institute’s Molecular Biology Laboratory since 2006, she applies molecular tools for genetic diversity studies, marker-assisted selection, gene expression analysis, and diagnostics. Her work has contributed to improved crop varieties adopted by Ghanaian farmers. Dr Prempeh also trains future scientists in molecular biology and lectures at the CSIR College of Science and Technology, where she serves as the Departmental Quality Assurance Coordinator for the Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Programme.

Dr Kabir Mustapha Umar

Deputy Director (Research & Publications) at the Centre for Dryland Agriculture, Bayero University, Nigeria

Dr Umar is a Senior Lecturer in Biotechnology at the Centre for Dryland Agriculture, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria. He holds a PhD in Food Biotechnology from Universiti Putra Malaysia, with expertise in molecular biology, bioinformatics, and agricultural biotechnology. His research focuses on plant tissue culture, genetic engineering, and bioremediation, contributing to both environmental sustainability and agricultural innovation. As Deputy Director (Research & Publications) at the Centre for Dryland Agriculture, Dr Umar has played a pivotal role in research and capacity-building initiatives. His work includes biocontrol methods and the application of endophytic fungi to enhance crop resilience. His contributions have been recognised with awards, including the Exceptional Leadership Award for his role in the JR Biotek Foundation’s Plant Molecular Biology Lab Training Workshop. Beyond academia, he has coordinated research projects, including the World Bank-funded Africa Centre of Excellence (ACE) initiatives. A member of professional bodies such as the Biotechnological Society of Nigeria, he has authored publications, patents, and technical reports. Dr Umar remains committed to advancing agricultural biotechnology in Nigeria and beyond, driving innovation for sustainable food security.

Dr Gabriel Onagoruwa

Co-founding partner & chair of the Finance and Project Development practice of Olaniwun Ajayi (UK) LLP

Dr Gabriel Onagoruwa is a co-founding partner and chair of the Finance and Project Development practice of Olaniwun Ajayi (UK) LLP, Africa’s first international law office in the city of London. Prior to this, he was a senior lawyer at the London office of the international law firm of White & Case LLP. His practice focuses on advising development finance institutions, national and international oil companies, sponsors, developers, commercial banks, multilateral lending agencies and export credit agencies, in project, banking, Agro and international finance transactions across the power, oil and gas, mining and metals and real estate sectors. He has advised clients on financing transactions with a cumulative value of over US$50 billion. He obtained his LL.B degree from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria graduating with a First Class Honours. He is a Gates Scholar of the University of Cambridge, having obtained his master’s degree in law (LLM) and Ph.D. from Wolfson College, University of Cambridge. He is a recipient of numerous international laurels and awards. He is widely published in reputable international journals and has honoured several speaking engagements. He is a member of the Law Society of England and Wales, the International Law Association and the International Bar Association.

Dr Joanna Scales

Knowledge Transfer Manager – UK & International Agri-Food, Innovate UK

Joanna is a dedicated leader in sustainable agriculture, currently spearheading the Innovate UK Climate-Smart Agriculture Partnership: UK-Brazil-Africa. In this role, she brings together innovative people and organisations to promote climate-smart agricultural solutions across Africa. Before joining Innovate UK Business Connect, she spent four years working in East Africa, delivering agricultural services to smallholder farmers across diverse supply chains. Her hands-on experience in the region has given her a deep understanding of the challenges farmers face and the solutions needed to drive long-term sustainability. With a PhD in Crop Improvement from Rothamsted Research and the University of Essex, she combines scientific expertise with practical experience to advance agricultural innovation and resilience in the face of climate change. Her work continues to make a meaningful impact, fostering collaborations that support the future of global food security.

Professor Shailaja Fennell

Professor of Regional Transformation and Economic Security& Director of Research at Cambridge Central Asia Forum, University of Cambridge

Shailaja was a co-investigator on the successful GCRF bid Transforming India’s Green Revolution by Research and Empowerment for Sustainable food Supplies (TIGR2ESS) 2017-2021, led by the University of Cambridge. She is the lead on the work package on Impacting the Well-Being of Urban and Rural Communities through interventions in education, empowerment and entrepreneurship to ensure health and nutrition. Shailaja was also a co-investigator on a sister project, MillNet_i, funded by a UKRI GCRF award, ‘Food & nutrition research for health in the developing world: bioavailability & nutrient content’, on how to improve iron nutrition status of people living in Ethiopia and The Gambia by assessing the bioavailability of iron from biofortified millet (2019-2021). She was previously a member of the team commissioned by the European Union to bring about the first European Report on Development, titled ‘Overcoming Fragility in Africa: Forging a New Approach Forward’ (2008-09).

Professor Mark Tester

Professor of plant science at KAUST, Director of the Center of Excellence for Sustainable Food Security & co-Founder of RedSea LLC

Mark Tester is professor of plant science at KAUST, Director of the Center of Excellence for Sustainable Food Security and co-Founder of RedSea LLC. In 2019, he was Head of the Food Sector at NEOM. Prior to joining KAUST in February 2013, he was an ARC Federation Fellow and professor of plant physiology at the University of Adelaide, where he established The Plant Accelerator. Previously, he was a Senior Lecturer at the University of Cambridge, where he also received his PhD in 1988. Mark is now focused on using plant science with other technologies to increase sustainability of food production. Mark Tester loves understanding how plants work, especially in tough conditions where it is hot, dry and salty. He is a professor at KAUST, and has also worked at the Universities of Adelaide and Cambridge. He co-Founded RedSea LLC, and is now enjoying developing saltwater-based agricultural systems, to improve the sustainability of food production.

Professor Mizeck Chagunda

Director of the Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health, The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh

Professor Mizeck Chagunda is an animal breeding and quantitative genetics expert who has pioneered research on developing innovative techniques for quantifying, measuring, and defining phenotypes for difficult-to-measure traits related to disease resistance, adaptation, resilience and enteric methane emissions , and explored the role of these phenotypes in genetic improvement of livestock. He also has experience in areas such as mathematical modelling for predicting individual animal health, and reproduction status, and genomics in livestock improvement. His research and academic work has been set in a wide range of production systems and contexts ranging from LMIC smallholder systems through to the intensive systems of the developed world. His other research and faculty experience comes from the University of Malawi (Bunda College, now LUANAR), University of Goettingen (Germany), Aarhus University (Denmark), and SRUC (Scotland’s Rural College). He is a founding member of the African Animal Breeders Network (AABNet). Out with animal science and agriculture, Mizeck has also been involved in the area of “Human Health & Development” through his work in the founding Steering Committee of German Alliance for Global Health Research (GLOHRA), and as a PI for OneHealth4Development (a German-Africa collaboration (2021 -2024)).

Professor Dr Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger

Chair in Sustainable Development Law and Policy, University of Cambridge

Professor Dr Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger FRSC FRSA WIJA, PhD (Cantab), DPhil (Oxon), MEM (Yale), BCL & LLB (McGill), BA Hons (Carl/UVic) is a world-leading scholar and jurist in the field of sustainable development law and governance. She serves as Chair in Sustainable Development Law and Policy in the University of Cambridge, as a law fellow and director of studies in Lucy Cavendish College. Further, as senior director of the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law, executive secretary of the Climate Law and Governance Initiative for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and chair of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity Biodiversity Law and Governance Initiative, she lectures and leads global collaborations for climate law and governance, biodiversity and natural resources stewardship, human rights, indigenous peoples rights and future generations, trade and investment law and other international law contributing to the global Sustainable Development Goals. She has published over 24 books and over 160 papers in five languages, and edits a series of volumes on international treaty regimes for sustainable development with Cambridge University Press. She serves as Vice-President of the International Law Association of Canada, councillor of the World Future Council, also a fellow of the Lauterpacht Centre for International Law, the Centre for Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Governance and the Bennett Institute for Public Policy at the University of Cambridge. In 2022, she was elected Fellow of Royal Society of Canada in the Academy of Social Sciences. She is also a Fellow of Royal Society of the Arts in the UK and laureate of the prestigious HE Judge CG Weeramantry International Justice Award, the Justitia Fundamentum Regnorum and the Leverhulme Trust Visiting Professorship of the University of Cambridge (2020-22), among other international honours.

Dr Lyn Kouadio

Dr Lyn Kouadio is Beacon Junior Research Fellow in Postcolonial and Race Studies at University College Oxford, where she is currently researching the politics of the making and archiving of the RDA, a Francophone Pan-Africanist and anti-colonial movement founded in 1946 in Black French Africa. Lyn completed her doctoral studies at the University of Cambridge where she also received her MPhil. She also holds a B.A.(Hons)from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana. Her research interests lie in the international politics of (Black Francophone) Africa and its associated politics of knowledge production.

Dr Olaide Ogunsanya

Plant Pathologist and Soil Microbiologist

Olaide Ogunsanya is a plant pathologist and soil microbiologist with expertise in plant-microbe interactions across different environments. She holds a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology and specializes in plant and soil health, sustainable agriculture, and disease diagnostics. With strong skills in microbiology and pathogen identification, Olaide is passionate about advancing research that supports resilient cropping systems. She is also a skilled communicator, dedicated to engaging diverse audiences and promoting scientific awareness.

Mainda Kiwelu

Enterprise Mentor & Advisory Board Member at JR Biotek Foundation

Mainda has been an enterprise mentor to start-up founders and teams over the past 10 years, including at the Cambridge Judge Business School. She also dedicates time to supporting several third-sector organisations to develop innovative and sustainable business skills and training. Mainda is a law and business graduate and has worked professionally in senior product management, marketing and business development roles. She has developed her career in various industries including Technology, Education, Publishing, Professional Services and Retail. Mainda is also interested in creative practices that improve work and individual well-being and delivers workshops and talks in this area.

Dr Jacob Ulzen

(University of Ghana)

Jacob Ulzen is a Research Fellow at the University of Ghana’s Forest and Horticultural Crops Research Centre (FOHCREC). He holds a PhD in Soil Science from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, where he also earned his BSc in Agriculture (First Class Honours) and MSc in Soil Science. His postgraduate studies were supported by a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation scholarship through the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, under the COMPRO II and N2AFRICA projects.

Jacob’s research focuses on rhizobiology, particularly biological nitrogen fixation, bioprospecting and evaluation of isolates for enhanced nitrogen fixation, and Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM). His work also extends to carbon sequestration in tree crops and forest lands and, more recently, citizen science using the triadic approach. His current research explores the spatial mapping of mycorrhizal fungi in Ghana.

He has collaborated extensively with smallholder farmers in Ghana’s legume and cocoa landscapes. Previously, he worked as a Research Scientist at the CSIR-Soil Research Institute and as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, focusing on cocoa climate change adaptation and farmer experimentation. Jacob is also a Science Associate of the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN).

Dr Velma Okaron

Plant Breeder, Zambia

Velma Okaron is an accomplished plant breeder with a PhD in Plant Breeding from Makerere University, Uganda, and a strong academic background in botany, with a BSc in Botany and an MSc in Plant Genetics from the University of Eldoret, Kenya. She has a wealth of expertise in crop research, particularly in developing disease-resistant groundnut varieties using genomic tools to address critical agricultural challenges in sub-Saharan Africa. In her master’s research, Velma identified indigenous rhizobia that enhances nitrogen fixation in groundnuts and other legumes in phosphorus-deficient soils of Western Kenya. She has served as a junior researcher with the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and contributed to projects with Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) aimed at improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. A valued alumna of the JR Biotek Foundation, Velma played a pivotal role in creating the JR Biotek-Plant Cell Atlas African PhD Scholars Mentoring Programme, which has had a profound impact on early-career African scientists. As Project Coordinator, she leverages her extensive experience in plant breeding, farmer engagement, and scientific project management to drive forward the Vision 2030 mission for sustainable agricultural innovation.

Dr Francis Wamonje

Research Leader in Entomology, NIAB, UK

Dr Francis Wamonje is a Research Leader in Entomology at NIAB in the United Kingdom. Before joining Niab, he was a Royal Society FLAIR Fellow at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) in Nairobi, Kenya. He read his PhD in Plant Sciences at the University of Cambridge under the mentorship of Professor John Carr.

His work focuses on plant-insect interactions and the use of ‘omics’ for the development of tools for pest detection, surveillance, and biocontrol. These research lines all aim to contribute to agricultural sustainability and environmental resilience in the UK and internationally, especially in the Global South. He authors 52 Science Stories, a LinkedIn newsletter aimed at making complex scientific concepts in plant sciences, agroecology and biodiversity accessible.

Angela Sughnen

Plant Scientist, University of Cambridge

Angela Sughnen is a plant scientist passionate about strengthening the nutritional quality of priority staple crops. She holds an MPhil in Biological Sciences from the University of Cambridge, where she worked on developing novel plant breeding technologies for leguminous plants. Her research interests lie in science-driven solutions for sustainable food systems, with a focus on enhancing crop nutrition and resilience.

Beyond research, she is committed to fostering academic dialogue, science communication, and impact-driven research that bridges the gap between innovation and real-world agricultural challenges.

As a volunteer for the event – Roots of Resilience, she plays a key role in ensuring a seamless experience for speakers and attendees while celebrating the milestones of JR Biotech. Through her work, she strives to create meaningful spaces for knowledge exchange and collaboration in the scientific community.

Mujeeb Adaraloye

Mastercard Foundation Cambridge Scholar, University of Cambridge

Mujeeb Adaraloye is a MPhil in Biological Sciences (Crop Science), Cambridge University, UK, and is passionate about food security. He previously worked served as a graduate research intern at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria, focusing on crop improvement. His goal is to leverage the knowledge from his studies to collaborate with prestigious research institutes in Nigeria, fostering sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing food security.

Christianah Oseni

Plant geneticist &Mastercard Foundation Cambridge Scholar, University of Cambridge

Christianah is a passionate plant geneticist dedicated to crop improvement, food security, and sustainable agriculture. As an MPhil researcher at NIAB Cambridge, she works on fine-mapping genetic regions in wheat to optimize hybrid breeding, developing marker-trait associations, and addressing key challenges including non-Mendelian segregation and trait linkages in wheat breeding.

She earned a First-Class degree in Crop Production and Protection from Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, graduating as the top student in her department and faculty. Her undergraduate research on drought-tolerant maize testcrosses sparked her interest in harnessing genetic diversity for crop resilience.

Christianah later gained hands-on experience at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), working on molecular breeding, DNA analysis, and genetic diversity studies, including research on underutilized crops like the African Yam Bean. With expertise in field trials, genotyping and data analysis, she is committed to contributing to innovative breeding strategies that improve crop productivity, resilience, and nutritional quality in the face of climate change.

Beyond research, she is passionate about bridging the gap between science and real-world agricultural challenges. Whether in the lab, the field, or engaging with communities, she is committed to applying cutting-edge genetics to improve food production and sustainability.

Afolabi Ayomide Emmanuel

Mastercard Foundation Cambridge Scholar, University of Cambridge

Afolabi Ayomide Emmanuel is a passionate advocate for sustainable agriculture and climate-smart farming. With a background in Crop Science and Agronomy, he holds a First-Class Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria. Currently, he is pursuing an MPhil in Biological Sciences (Crop Science Pathway) at the University of Cambridge as a MasterCard Foundation Scholar. This journey aligns with his commitment to advancing sustainable food systems.

His research explores nitrogen signaling, nutrient management, and crop resilience, focusing on practical solutions that enhance productivity and promote environmental sustainability. Over the years, Afolabi has gained hands-on experience in soil fertility, crop production, and controlled environment agriculture, working with various agricultural institutions and research initiatives.

Beyond academics, Afolabi is committed to capacity building and knowledge sharing. As a volunteer for the Roots of Resilience 10-Year Anniversary Program, he is excited to contribute to the program’s mission of empowering agricultural communities through innovative and science-driven solutions.

With a vision of bridging research and real-world agricultural challenges, he remains committed to advancing sustainable agriculture for a more food-secure and environmentally resilient future.

Dr Rebekah Sacher

Director, New Product Planning Leader, Sanofi & Executive Board Member at JR Biotek Foundation

Dr Rebekah (Scheuerle) Sacher holds a PhD in chemical engineering from the University of Cambridge where she was a Gates Cambridge Scholar and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Ambitious to contribute to improving public health in frontier and emerging markets, her early career pursuits included serving on the board of JustMilk, a nonprofit developing drug and nutrient delivery technology for infants in low resource settings. She has since worked in the vaccine field, driven by the same desire to improve public health outcomes. She previously held roles at GSK in translational science, commercial, medical and clinical research and development, and presently works at Sanofi as a Sr. Director, New Product Planning Leader, where she is on the Vaccines New Products and Innovation team. She feels inspired to apply her interests and experience to progress JR Biotek Foundation’s mission.

Dr Albert Arhin

Research Fellow at BIRD, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Ghana

Dr Albert Arhin is a Research Fellow at the Bureau of Integrated Rural Development (BIRD) at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and an expert in international development and sustainability. With over 10 years of experience in research, strategic planning, project evaluation, and community mobilization, he has held roles including Research and Policy Manager at Oxfam Ghana and Research Officer at Participatory Development Associates (PDA), Ghana. Dr Arhin holds a PhD in Geography from the University of Cambridge, with research focused on climate change, green economy, rural livelihoods, governance, and sustainable agricultural production within the 2030 Agenda. His expertise in qualitative and quantitative methodologies and policy advocacy enriches our team’s commitment to impactful development.

Ruth Jepkemoi

Co-founder, Kang4Nature, Kenya

Ruth is a passionate advocate for environmental conservation, community engagement, women’s empowerment, and climate action. Inspired by her grandmother, a traditional herbalist, she developed a deep love for nature early on. Ruth holds a BSc in Environmental Science from Jomo Kenyatta University and an MPhil in Conservation Leadership from the University of Cambridge. Throughout her career, she has championed conservation and gender inclusion, leading impactful programs with CHD Conservation Kenya, where she now serves on the advisory board. As a co-founder of Kang4Nature, a youth-led environmental initiative in Nairobi, Ruth has worked to inspire the next generation of conservation leaders. She has also provided consulting expertise to UNEP-WCMC and Fauna & Flora. Currently, Ruth is a Program Manager at Judge Business School Executive Education, where she continues to drive initiatives that foster leadership and sustainable impact

Professor Mario Caccamo

CEO and Director of NIAB, UK

Professor Mario Caccamo is CEO and Director of NIAB and also holds an honorary professorship at the University of East Anglia.

A computer scientist by training, Mario has over 20 years’ experience in life science research, including specific projects genetics and bioinformatics methods to advance our understanding of crop performance. Mario has led the work on the assembly of the first whole-genome release of the wheat reference sequence and was also one of the founding co-chairs of the expert working group within the Wheat Initiative focused on the deployment of an international Wheat Information System. Mario is currently a member of the board of the Oxford Farming Conference.

At Niab, Mario leads more than 400 crop scientists, agronomists and pathologists focused on addressing the challenges of food security, climate change and sustainable agriculture. Niab’s horticulture research programme is delivered at the research station in East Malling. Mario values diversity and inclusion and seek to work with partners and stakeholders who share these goals

Dr Bethan Manley

Lead Computational Biology, Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN)

Bethan is the Lead Computational Biologist at SPUN, a nonprofit science organization working to map and protect underground mycorrhizal newtorks. Bethan carried out a PhD at the University of Cambridge examining Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and their genetic interactions with crop plants. She has a computational biology background through research into the genomics and transcriptomics of mycorrhizal fungi and a role as a Senior Computer Biologist in the Genome Reference Informatics Team at the Sanger Institute, UK. Bethan has previously had the privilege of working with JR Biotek to conduct a metagenomics training workshop in Ghana, focusing on understanding the microbes present in agricultural soils.

Dr Bolaji Thanni

Postdoctoral Scientist, University of Manchester

Dr Bolaji Thanni is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Manchester and a dedicated research communicator. With a strong background in plant biology, her work focuses on understanding the biological and physiological responses of plants to microbial interactions. Her expertise lies in exploring the complex cause-and-effect relationships between plants and microbes, contributing to advancements in sustainable agriculture and plant health. Passionate about making research accessible, she actively engage in science communication to bridge the gap between scientific discoveries and broader audiences.

Obi Nwaegbe

(Artist, Writer, Curator & Founder of Artstier, Nigeria)

Obi Nwaegbe is a Nigerian visual artist, writer, and curator with a Bachelor’s degree in Painting from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. A recipient of the Ford Foundation Good Neighbour Grant Award, he has actively contributed to arts education, facilitating student workshops focused on environmental reorientation in Nigerian public schools.

His work has been showcased in numerous local and international exhibitions, including “Tainted Visions (A Cultural Dialogue)” at Alliance Française Accra (2012), the SANAA National Art Festival at Kerry Goodman Gallery, Adelaide, Australia (2019), and “Sensitive Content,” a powerful exhibition dedicated to the fight against femicide at the Art Connection Foundation, Miami (2023).

Beyond his artistic practice, Obi is an experienced arts administrator and the founder of Artstier Company Limited, through which he has organised and facilitated artist workshops and residencies for over five years. In 2023, Artstier was contracted to facilitate a GIZ programme on Jobs, Migration & Integration, further demonstrating his commitment to using art as a tool for social impact and development.

Dr Carol Ibe

Crop Scientist, Chief Visionary & Founder of JR Biotek Foundation

Dr Carol Ibe is the visionary Founder and Executive Director of the JR Biotek Foundation, an innovative organization dedicated to empowering African agricultural researchers with the expertise and resources needed to address hunger, malnutrition, and poverty across Africa. Originally from Nigeria, Dr Ibe has pioneered initiatives that equip the next generation of African scientists to lead impactful research focused on enhancing crop productivity and sustainable livelihoods. She earned her PhD in Plant Sciences as a Gates Scholar at the University of Cambridge and completed postdoctoral research at the John Innes Centre, United Kingdom. Through transformative projects like the Agri-Innovation & Impact Project (AGRIIP), Dr Ibe fosters powerful collaborations among scientists, farmers, and community leaders to build climate-resilient food systems. Her work has gained significant recognition, including features in Forbes and TEDx Oxford, and prestigious honors like the University of Cambridge’s CSAR Award and the 2019 Bill Gates Sr. Prize, underscoring her far-reaching impact on science and community-led change.

Professor Julian Hibberd

Head of the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge

Julian is Professor of Photosynthesis and Head of the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Cambridge. He became interested in plant biology as an undergraduate at Bangor University, and stayed there for a PhD, before moving to Sheffield and then Cambridge for post-doctoral work. He was awarded a BBSRC David Phillips Fellowship and has since stayed in Cambridge.

Julian’s research focuses on the molecular basis and evolution of C4 photosynthesis, a remarkably complex trait that has evolved in over sixty lineages of land plants. As well as using C4 species to understand the molecular basis of the C4 pathway, he also makes use of C3 models such as Arabidopsis and rice to understand how C4 evolved, and the extent to which rewiring of existing regulatory networks has taken place. He has been part of international consortia that aim to improve photosynthesis in crops to improve yield potential. His work has been funded by the BBSRC, BMGF, EU and ERC.

Dr Anthony Mabele

Research Fellow & Molecular Plant Virologist, MMUST, Kenya

Dr Anthony Mabele is a Research Fellow and Molecular Plant Virologist at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kakamega, Kenya. Currently, he is a university distinguished researcher of plant virology with major interests in identification of emerging plant viruses, virus-host interactions, virus genetic diversity, and evolution. He teaches plant virology, advanced plant pathology, plant physiology & biochemistry, and research methods to graduate and undergraduate students. His applied research centers on methods of virus detection, strain differentiation, sanitization of virus–infected plant materials, pathosystems drivers of climate change on plant virus pathogenicity and management of virus diseases. He enjoys research collaborations and cross–fertilization of ideas with scientists across the globe towards uplifting the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.

Empowering Africa’s Scientists: Beakal’s Journey from Training to Impact

From Lab Training to Impact: Beakal’s Journey with JR Biotek Foundation

JR Biotek Foundation is a United States non-profit (501c3) organisation.