OUR FELLOWS
Phyllis Wambui Muturi understands food insecurity first-hand. Raised on a small farm in a family of seven, she witnessed pests and diseases destroy their crops, which influenced her future career path. She was raised by her illiterate, hard-working grandmother, who encouraged her to aim high.
When I finished my chores, I would study by kerosene lamp until 11 p.m., and then get up early the next morning,” she recalls. Realizing how brilliant Muturi was, her father’s employer paid for her secondaryschool education, as well as her undergraduate studies at the University of Nairobi.
Field of Research
Enhancement of resistance to African and spotted stem borers in sorghum.
Fellows Stories
Phyllis Muturi collecting leaf tissues for DNA extraction
Date: April 30, 2016
I won the AWARD Advanced Science Training (AST) opportunity and was awarded a placement at?DuPont Pioneer?in collaboration with Iowa State University (ISU) in the USA. The training I am undertaking will significantly improve my skills, experience and knowledge in the use of modern biotechnology for crop improvement to contribute to food security and improved livelihoods. While at DuPont, I am privileged to be mentored by two leading women scientists in this field, Prof. Maria Salas-Fernandez from the Department of Agronomy, at ISU and Dr. Laura Higgins from DuPont.
Fellows Stories
Advancing science skills- Phyllis Muturi shares her AST experience
Date: January 1, 2013
I won the AWARD Advanced Science Training (AST) opportunity and was awarded a placement at DuPont Pioneer in collaboration with Iowa State University (ISU) in the USA. The training I am undertaking will significantly improve my skills, experience and knowledge in the use of modern biotechnology for crop improvement to contribute to food security and improved livelihoods. While at DuPont, I am privileged to be mentored by two leading women scientists in this field, Prof. Maria Salas-Fernandez from the Department of Agronomy, at ISU and Dr. Laura Higgins from DuPont.