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.

Alice is a research scientist working with the National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI) under the National Agricultural Research Organisation in Uganda. Her goal is to explore the locally available diversity of plants for alternatives to antimicrobials used for both humans and livestock. Her focus areas are on microbiology, molecular biology and biotechnology which she has contributed to standards formulation and development in Uganda and provided solutions to pests and diseases in important food crops, through molecular breeding. She holds a Ph.D in Life and Environmental Sciences (Biomolecular Sciences) from Polytechnic University of Marche in Ancona, Italy and a Master of Science degree in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology from the Free University of Brussels in Belgium.

Desta is a lecturer and researcher at Hawassa University, Wondo Genet College of Forestry, and Anjibara University in Ethiopia. Her focus areas are in agroforestry systems and technology, silviculture of natural forest and woodland, plantation establishment & technology, and forest mensuration. Her current research interest is on renewable energy production, specifically bioethanol gel fuel from waste and ecosystem services. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Farm Forestry and a Master of Science degree in Agroforestry, both from Hawassa University, and is pursuing her Ph.D in Climate Change and Bioenergy Development at the institution.

Elsa is an industrial biotechnology researcher at the Ethiopian Biotechnology Institute. She works on developing and executing industrial biotechnology-related research projects, data collection, and analysis, writing scientific articles to the local and scientific communities, and giving professional consultancy services to stakeholders. Her research focus is on the industrial application of microorganisms, microbial biotechnology, enzyme technology, bacterial biofilms, and exploring novel bioactive molecules. Currently, she is actively participating as a research team leader in two key projects: isolation, screening, and characterization of extremophile lipase producing microorganisms from Lake Bogoria; and developing smart biotechnology processes for the transformation of molasses and bagasse to bioethanol in Ethiopian sugar factories. She holds a Master of Science degree in Applied Microbiology from Addis Ababa University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a Chemistry minor from Mekelle University, Ethiopia.

Diana is a teaching assistant, and the acting head of department of agribusiness and extension at the faculty of agriculture and animal sciences in Busitema University, Uganda. She also serves as the chair of the exam malpractices committee and the coordinator of community outreach, gender, HIV/AIDS and cross cutting issues at the faculty. She specialised in Agribusiness Management at the University of Pretoria, while pursuing her Master of Science degree in Agriculture and Applied Economics at Makerere University where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness Management. She has interests in projects that are gender responsive and use agriculture to transform lives. She has previously carried out research in fish marketing.

Alice is a lecturer in the department of agribusiness and natural resource economics in the college of agricultural and environmental sciences at Makerere University. She is also the director of the agricultural research institute at the university. She holds a Ph.D in Agricultural Economics and a Master of Science degree in Agricultural and Applied Economics, both from Makerere University. She is involved in research partnerships with a number of local and international organisations and projects, undertaking research in agricultural development interventions and their impact on the welfare of farms and communities, nutrition and food systems, land and property rights, agribusiness value chains, agricultural extension and entrepreneurship in agriculture. She holds various administrative positions at the university including team leader of the Nutrition and Health Research Platform (ANHP) in the department, and chairperson of the scientific committee for the National Agricultural Research Organisation-Makerere University (NARO-MAK) Joint Scientific Conference.

Agnes is a senior zoologist in the ministry of agriculture, seconded to Kenya Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Council as the regional coordinator of the western region of Kenya. She oversees planning and coordinating of tsetse and trypanosomiasis control activities, working closely with other stakeholders in fostering adoption of new trypanosomiasis control strategies by communities in tsetse endemic areas. She has worked as a field officer for International Child Support Fund and Innovations for Poverty Action, Kenya where she received experience in data collection from individuals and groups as a tool for decision making. She holds a Master of Science degree in Applied Parasitology from Kenyatta University, Kenya and a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology and Botany from Makerere University, Uganda.