Malaria research was the first field Nimmo Gicheru Ngatiri entered fresh out of college with a BSc in medical science, but during her master’s studies in London she was drawn to a different area: improving human nutrition. Growing up with a supportive father and a mother who was always testing new ideas and improved technologies for her farming and livestock-rearing activities, Ngatiri developed an interest in improving food security and nutrition in Kenya through high-quality protein. She soon realized the challenges livestock farmers face, and one of the most devastating, pleuropneumonia, has become the focus of her research.