Sayuni is an expert in pedagogy and works as an assistant lecturer at the Stefano Moshi Memorial University College, and is also the deputy director for research, postgraduate studies, and consultancy. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education (biology & geography) from St. Augustine University of Tanzania, Mwenge Catholic University, a Master of Education degree from Tumaini University, Makumira, and a Ph.D in Biodiversity and Ecosystems Management from the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology in Tanzania.

Dorothy is a registered nutritionist and dietitian with the Kenya Nutritionist and Dietitians Institute (KNDI), and a qualified food scientist, nutritionist and public health specialist. She has cumulative work experience of over 18 years in various fields including food systems, research, training, health, nutrition, and dietetics. Her fellowship goals include developing and characterising food products, incorporating processed insects that contribute significantly to the Recommended Daily Intakes (RDIs) for nutrients of public health concern for women of reproductive age and children aged five years and below. Dorothy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science and Technology from Egerton University in Kenya and a Master of Science degree in Public Health (MPH) from the Institute of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases (ITROMID) of the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in Kenya. She is currently finalizing her Ph.D research in Food Science and Nutrition with a focus on edible insects as a means of dietary diversity in human diets.

Mehader is an environmental biotechnologist at Ethiopian Biotechnology Institute (EBTi), in Ethiopia. Prior to joining EBTi, she worked as a researcher in the department of biotechnology at Pukyong National University and published research articles in scientific journals. She has participated in various environmental biotechnology research and development projects such as the production of biodegradable packaging materials, wastewater treatment, and building construction materials using bagasse ash, among others. She holds a Master of Science degree in Environmental Biotechnology from Pukyong National University, Korea, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.

Genet is a researcher at the Ethiopian BioTechnology Institute in the environmental biotechnology directorate. She previously worked as a bioenergy technology development design expert at the Oromia Water Mineral Energy Bureau. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Bahir Dar University, and a master’s degree in Energy Technology from Addis Ababa University, and is pursuing her doctorate degree in Environmental Engineering at Addis Ababa University. During her master’s degree research work, she investigated the optimal production of methane from the optimal composition of slaughterhouse waste with the application of boiler and electricity from biogas and developed an anaerobic wastewater treatment mechanism for an industrial abattoir. Her research interests are wastewater treatment and the generation of bioenergy from organic waste. This was put into practice when she assisted in producing energy-efficient charcoal briquettes from sugar industry solid waste at Ethiopian Biotechnology Institute.

Zainah is an insectary supervisor for the Insect for Food Project at Makerere University. She joined the Project as a fellow and researched on developing rations for mass rearing of crickets and grasshoppers. She is also a research associate at Marula Agribusiness, a company that is producing black soldier fly larvae for animal feed. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture, and a Master of Science degree in Animal Science, both from Makerere University. She is a member of the International Network of Women Engineers and Scientists (INWES) and Makerere University Journal club.

Sharon is a teaching assistant at the department of chemistry and biochemistry in Auburn University, Alabama. She previously has done research in the areas of drug development, and environmental and innovations that involved the use of enzymes for the decomposition of certain bio-wastes. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Chemistry from the University of Nairobi and is a Master of Science finalist at the University of Nairobi, majoring in Industrial Chemistry. She is also a student at Auburn University where she is pursuing her doctoral degree in theoretical chemistry.

Jenipher is a lecturer of organic chemistry at Maseno University in Kisumu, Kenya. She holds a Ph.D in Organic/Analytical Chemistry and a Master of Science degree in Natural Products Chemistry both from Maseno University, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and Biology from Kenyatta University in Kenya. Her research interests cover several aspects across organic chemistry with emphasis on natural products chemistry and antioxidant-rich natural food substances such as cereals and vegetables. She has also published various articles on compounds from natural products origin with antibacterial and antifungal activities, as well as on those that make tea plants (Camellia sinensis) susceptible and tolerant to tea mites. Jenipher has received recognitions to her research career including International Foundations for Science (IFS) research grants. She is a member of the Kenya Chemical Society.

Jeanne is an assistant lecturer at the College of Agriculture, Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine (UR-CAVM). She has previously worked as the programme coordinator of the crop sciences department, at the University of Rwanda. As an educationist, Jeanne contributed to the enhancement of the education sector in Rwanda by being part of reviewers and developers of the Technical Vocational Educational Training (TVET) curriculum program in the domain of Crop production, level 3, 4, 6, and 7 Rwanda TVET Qualification Framework (RTQF).  She holds a master’s degree in Horticulture, plant production from Writtle College, University of Essex, United Kingdom, a bachelor’s degree in Crop Production and Horticulture from the former National University of Rwanda, and is currently pursuing her Ph.D in Plant Biotechnology at Egerton University, Kenya. She is a member of the Rwandan Association of Women in Science and Engineering (RAWISE) and the Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD).

Clarisse is an assistant lecturer of human resources management, labor law, social security and citizenship’s education of the higher institute of business at the National University of Burundi. She is also an independent consultant in human resources management, project management and public and international law. She has previously work as a legal advisor at the Office of the Ombudsman of Burundi. She is passionate about youth and entrepreneurship and is a member of the support unit for young entrepreneurs at the National University of Burundi and is part of the team of coaches and mentors for young entrepreneurs in the association for progressive African youth. She is also a member of the roster on African Union standby force. Clarisse holds a Master of Science degree in Human Resource Management from Management Private Institute in Senegal, a Master of Science degree in International Relations from SAHEL University in Dakar, Senegal, and a bachelor’s degree in law from Bujumbura Light University. She is currently a Ph.D candidate at the National University of Burundi.