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The BioInnovate Africa Fellowship for Women Scientists initiative has empowered a diverse group of female scientists in Africa through regional cooperation in bioinnovation and bioentreprenuership. The fellowship was established in 2018 and provides opportunities to early and mid-career women scientists to work with and learn from BioInnovate Africa bioeconomy projects and networks in eastern Africa. Since then, 45 fellows from eastern Africa have undertaken the fellowship in four cohorts and their profiles can be accessed here. These fellows enhanced their skills, explored innovative solutions, and engaged in collaborative work that addresses sociatal challenges in agriculture, health, and environmental sustainability. Below, we feature the fellowship motivation, research project, and future aspirations of three cohort IV fellows.
Dr Iman Brema Hassaballa Dawelbeit, Sudan
When a door to opportunity opens, stepping through it often requires courage, determination, and a vision. This is certainly true for Iman, a chemical ecologist and entomologist. Read her full bio here.
Iman’s fellowship journey began with an encouraging nudge from a mentor. “I first learned about the BioInnovate Africa Fellowship for Women Scientists initiative from Prof Baldwyn Torto, my Ph.D. supervisor,” she says. She undertook her fellowship from August to November 2024, at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Kenya, nematology lab and behavioural and chemical ecology unit, under the mentorship of Dr Solveig Haukeland and Dr David Tchouassi. Her research area was on developing new environmentally friendly tools for monitoring and controlling Potato cyst nematodes (PCN) and disease vectors (mosquito populations).
As a scientist interested in addressing pressing challenges in agriculture and public health, Iman saw the fellowship as a chance to grow professionally, collaborate with like-minded scientists in biopesticides and phytomedicine, and broaden her network in the bioeconomy. “The fellowship aligned with my career goals, providing me with valuable support and resources to further my work in addressing new control tools for nematology pests and vector-borne diseases and contribute to bioeconomy projects in Africa and beyond,” she says.
Beyond her scientific achievements, Iman views the fellowship as a means to advocate for sustainable development and inspire others. “The fellowship has empowered me to amplify my voice as a female scientist and inspire other women to pursue careers in science and innovation,” she says.
Through the fellowship, she was able to participate in the Global Bioeconomy Summit (GBS) 2024, where she presented her research, contributed to global discussions on sustainable innovation and expanded her network.
Margareth Lupembe, Tanzania
For many researchers, the quest for knowledge, development, and innovation is never-ending. This is certainly the case for Margareth, a mid-career agricultural scientist. Read her full bio here.
Margareth’s fellowship journey began with a simple post on a WhatsApp group. “I first learned about the BioInnovate Africa Women Fellowship initiative through a colleague who shared the call in our office WhatsApp group,” she says. Intrigued, she visited the BioInnovate Africa website for more details. Her motivation to apply for the fellowship was driven by a desire for development in both her professional and personal life. “I saw the fellowship as an opportunity to enhance and grow my research skills, build collaborations in biotechnology, and contribute to innovation in Africa,” she says. When news came that she had been successfully selected for the fellowship, the feeling was one of excitement and gratitude. “I was delighted when I received the news. Understanding the vision of BioInnovate Africa, especially the focus on mentorship, resources, and exposure, reassured me that I would grow into a good leader and innovator,” she says.
Margareth undertook her fellowship from August to November 2024, at Kyambogo University, Uganda, under the mentorship of Dr Juliet Kyayesimira. Her research area was on the utilization of agricultural wastes to produce plant tissue culture agar. The research sought to address both environmental and economic issues while contributing to the broader scientific community’s efforts to preserve plant germplasm.
Through the fellowship, she gained invaluable skills and expertise, including how to extract starch from agricultural waste, particularly from cassava, sweet potato, and Irish potatoes. “I learned about improving food security through research. Initially, I planned to use tubers, but I later shifted my focus to the peels of these crops—materials that were abundant yet underutilized,” she says. She also worked on the preparation of bioplastics, another major outcome of her research. “We prepared bioplastics from cassava, sweet potato, and Irish potato, and even visited a company that manufactures gift boxes using agricultural waste. We experimented with our bioplastics and created prototypes,” she says, highlighting the practical applications of her work.
Beyond technical skills, the fellowship also helped her build confidence and leadership. “Through seminars, trainings, and meetings within and outside the university, I improved my leadership skills. For instance, participating in the MSc students’ seminar presentations and the Global Bioeconomy Summit 2024 allowed me to interact with professionals from various fields,” she says. The skills and experiences she has gained from the fellowship will continue to fuel her drive to innovate and lead in the advancement of sustainable agricultural practices.
Judith Kobusinge, Uganda
In the field of agriculture, pests are a constant threat to crop productivity. For coffee farmers, the Black Coffee Twig Borer (BCTB) represents a persistent and devastating challenge. Judith is a researcher working on finding sustainable solutions to combatting BCTB. Read her full bio here.
Judith’s fellowship journey began through a colleague at the National Coffee Research Institute (NaCORI). “The fellowship immediately caught my attention and I applied as it offered an opportunity to learn how to develop environmentally friendly biopesticides for managing BCTB, which would help safeguard coffee farming, “ she says.
Judith undertook her fellowship from August to November 2024, at Kaffabio Control Agro-Industry PLC/ Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, under the mentorship of Dr Tesfaye Alemu. Her research area was on developing biopesticides for the sustainable management of coffee pests. “I chose this topic because conventional chemical pest control methods are expensive, environmentally harmful, and increasingly ineffective due to the development of pest resistance,” she says.
Throughout the fellowship, she gained hands-on experience that enhanced her research skills. “I gained proficiency in laboratory techniques for testing the effects of Metarhizium and Beauveria species using Galleria mellonella as a model organism,” she says. The use of this model organism allowed her to test the effects of different microbial agents on pests in a controlled environment.
Beyond the laboratory work, she also acquired practical experience in the mass production, harvesting, formulation, packaging, and quality control of biopesticides. These hands-on skills are essential for transforming research findings into commercially viable biopesticides that can be used by farmers in the fight against coffee pests and in the broader field of sustainable agricultural practices.
