Sharon is a plant pathology researcher focusing on integrated plant management (IPM), specifically on promoting access to fungal biopesticides among smallholder farmers in East Africa. She also has an interest in agricultural entrepreneurship and post-harvest management strategies in Africa. She previously served as a graduate research assistant in the food processing and post-harvest handling (FLP) programme – USAID, at Purdue University, USA.

She holds a Master of Science degree in Plant Pathology and Crop Protection from Purdue University, USA, and a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Biotechnology from the University of Nairobi, Kenya.

Raheli is a research and development officer in the environment division at Tanzania Industrial Research and Development Organization (TIRDO). Her research interest is on how to make bio-fertiliser from solid waste.

She holds a master’s degree in Environmental Science from Dr. Y S Parmer University of Forestry and Horticulture, India and a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences and Management from Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania.

Joyce is a Ph.D candidate in Food Science at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, working on indigenous wild fruits with potential health benefits.  She holds a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science and Technology from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and Egerton University, Kenya, respectively. Her research interests are in post-harvest technology, value addition, food security and safety, technology for agriculture, agribusiness, capacity building and prudent and sustainable use of natural resources for economic empowerment. She is an advocate of food lose reduction, safe food, nutrition, and health as well as capacity building and community empowerment. Joyce has previously worked as a lecturer of food science, focusing on post-harvest technology and biology, and carried out research on fruits and vegetables, as well as profiling of bioactive compounds conferring health benefits.

Husna is a junior veterinary research officer at tabora center, Tanzania Veterinary Laboratory Agency (TVLA). She previously worked as a veterinary tutor at the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANRE) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Husna holds a Master of Science degree in Public Health and Food Safety (MSPHFS) from Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in Morogoro, Tanzania.

Gladys is a fisheries scientist at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) in Shimoni, Kwale County, Kenya. She is passionate about research, management, and governance of aquatic systems (coastal marine and fresh water). She is the board of director in the Kenya Wildlife Research and Training Institute.

Gladys has published two papers in peer reviewed international journals. She holds a Master of Science degree in Fisheries Science from Pukyong National University, World Fisheries University-South Korea, a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and Biotechnology from the Technical University of Mombasa, and a Diploma in Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology from the Mombasa Polytechnic University College, Kenya.

Fridah is a research scientist in the socio-economics department at Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) in Mombasa, Kenya. She has specialized in socioeconomic assessments, gender analysis, legal and policy framework analysis, ecosystem valuation, monitoring and evaluation/project management and internal quality auditing-quality management systems. Professionally, her interests are in the interface between science, policy, and decision-making in the context of coastal and marine resource governance. Her research interest is in the socioeconomic aspects of fisher communities in the coast of Kenya with a focus on poverty and economic policies for household welfare and population studies and working communities in a bid for participatory resource management, through integration of the indigenous knowledge into management strategies for aquatic resources.

She holds a Master of Science degree in Social Policy Analysis from Katholieke University (Leuven, Belgium) and CEPS/INSTEAD, (Luxembourg).

Eden is a lecturer and researcher at the college of agriculture, Hawassa University, Ethiopia. She is also an exam approval committee member and works as a module team leader and the internship coordinator of graduating students in the school of nutrition, food science and technology. Prior to working at Hawassa University, she served as a chemistry teacher at Areka Preparatory school and as an officer of Boloso Sore Woreda Civil Service Bureau, where she also served as a member of house of federation of Wolita Zone in SNNP Regional State.

She holds a Master of Science degree in Food Science and Post-Harvest Technology, from Haremaya University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, from Bahir Dar University. Eden is currently a Ph.D student in the field of Food Science and Technology at Hawassa University, Ethiopia.