The AWARD Leadership Program for Emerging African Women in Science
About this program
The AWARD Leadership Program for Emerging African Women in Science is a customized learning experience targeting young African women in science under the age of 35 years. The program is designed to equip participants with the skills and confidence to lead and innovate in the scientific world.
The underrepresentation of women in leadership roles ultimately affects progress toward sustainable development and the achievement of the global sustainable development goals. To ensure women’s effective participation in leadership, it is critical that women access learning opportunities to gain skills that will equip them to lead effectively.
Program structure
The Program comprises highly interactive training sessions on leadership, mentoring, proposal writing, communication skills, and one-on-one coaching sessions. Participants will get a deeper understanding of:
– Effective leadership styles and developing their leadership potential
– How to define their career path and leverage networks to advance their careers
– How to develop personal brands to build confidence in pitching their research ideas to potential funding agencies and collaborators
– The necessary tools and skills to successfully manage teams, navigate organizational dynamics, build alliances, and take risks
Eligibility and participation
The call opened on June 15, 2021, and closed on June 23, 2021, with 24 candidates selected from Benin, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda.
The AWARD Leadership Program for Emerging African Women in Science is tailored to address some of the challenges that impede young women’s growth into leadership in science.
MEET THE PARTICIPANTS
Amadou Afoussatou
Benin
Amadou Afoussatou
Benin
Research Assistant, Research Unit in Microbiology and Pharmacology of natural substances (URMAPha) - Amadou Afoussatou is a doctoral student in nutrition and food security. She is in charge of the Network of Young Researchers of Benin and Secretary of the coordination office PTR Health (Africa)CAMES. She has received various awards, including the best communicator award at the CAMES Scientific Days and the best mobilizing country award at the Network of Young Researchers-PTR Health/CAMES days.
Amadou AfoussatouBenin Dossou Laurence
Benin
Dossou Laurence
Benin
Ph.D. Student, The Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) - Dossou Laurence’s research focuses on crop disease management techniques. She is researching the rice yellow mottle virus (RMYV), a viral plant disease endemic to Africa. She aspires to sensitize farmers with knowledge and methods of controlling plant diseases to ensure sustainable and prosperous agriculture in Africa.
Dossou LaurenceBenin Marie-Reine Houndjo
Benin
Marie-Reine Houndjo
Benin
Master’s student, Forest Study, and Research Laboratory (LEF) - Marie Reine Houndjo’s research objective is to contribute to better management of protected areas in Benin. She works towards the efficient management of woody trees in protected areas, specifically the Pterocarpus Erinaceus species. Her career goal is to be a researcher in an organization that works towards the efficient management of natural resources to ensure sustainable development.
Marie-Reine HoundjoBenin Apolline Bambara
Burkina Faso
Apolline Bambara
Burkina Faso
Rural Engineer, Ministry of Agriculture - Since 2014, Apolline Bambara has guided and validated technical studies in hydro-agricultural installations in Burkina Faso. She supervises the development of irrigated area projects and trains farmers to manage water resources and infrastructure efficiently. Apolline hopes to contribute to the installation and management of a water research and development center to enhance water management for agricultural production in Burkina Faso.
Apolline BambaraBurkina Faso Bouda Soutongnooma Caroline
Burkina Faso
Bouda Soutongnooma Caroline
Burkina Faso
Research Assistant, Molecular Biology, Epidemiology and Surveillance of Food-Transmitted Bacteria and Viruses Laboratory - Bouda Soutongnooma Caroline is working towards drawing up an inventory of biosecurity measures in poultry farming. She is concerned about the uncontrolled use of antibiotics in poultry production, raising major health concerns in her home country. Caroline is passionate about sharing her knowledge through teaching and supervising students.
Bouda Soutongnooma CarolineBurkina Faso Kidist Girma Mamo
Ethiopia
Kidist Girma Mamo
Ethiopia
Vice Academic Dean, Seven Star Health Science and Business College - As a Vice Academic Dean, Kidist Girma Mamo provides leadership in establishing academic priorities and oversees the implementation of policies and guidelines governing educational programs, staff, and students. Through the AWARD Leadership Program for Emerging African Women in Science, she expects to acquire knowledge and skills on leadership and innovation.
Kidist Girma MamoEthiopia Tigist Kindie, Lecturer
Ethiopia
Tigist Kindie, Lecturer
Ethiopia
Lecturer, University of Gondar - Tigist Kindie’s role as a lecturer goes beyond teaching. She engages in student counseling and guidance. Since 2015, she conducts agricultural research in livestock development, rural transformation, and rural youth entrepreneurship. Tigist seeks to acquire further training in agricultural research and development.
Tigist Kindie, LecturerEthiopia Esther Wahabu
Ghana
Esther Wahabu
Ghana
Research Officer-Social Sciences, International Water Management Institute - Esther Wahabu is an expert researcher on gender and social inclusion, water governance, and inclusive rural development. She is part of a team of researchers working on a project that aims to mainstream gender inclusivity and sustainable economic growth policies and programming in Northern Ghana. Esther’s career aspiration is to lead a research project, from conceptualization to implementation in the field. She believes the Leadership Program will equip her with advanced leadership skills and knowledge to manage a team.
Esther WahabuGhana Linda Coffie
Ghana
Linda Coffie
Ghana
Technical Officer, Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) - Linda Coffie is a technical officer at SARI, one of the 13 national research institutes under the Council for Scientific and Industrial. She assesses the quality of breeder and foundation seeds, seed multiplication, and establishment of field trials. Linda’s research focuses on understanding the women’s role in the groundnut seed value chain in Ghana and how to accelerate efforts to enhance the capacity of women in maintaining seed quality.
Linda CoffieGhana Aleyo Roseline
Kenya
Aleyo Roseline
Kenya
Chief Technical Officer, Ecodudu Ltd - Aleyo Roseline’s passion for research and entrepreneurship is unrivaled. She works on turning organic waste into animal protein and organic fertilizer using black soldier fly larvae. This process reduces carbon emissions and provides an alternative source of protein for animal feeds to farmers at a more affordable price. Her dream is to implement the solutions obtained from her research and work into real-life experiences for a better world.
Aleyo RoselineKenya Georgina Chepkoech Rono
Kenya
Georgina Chepkoech Rono
Kenya
Livestock Extension Officer, Egerton University - Georgina Chepkoech Rono has over five year’s professional experience in farm and project management and agri-business consultancy. She has led different sustainability program training, which links farmers to the government’s agricultural plan. Raised around the Mau forest in Kenya, she has seen how uncontrolled grazing has led to forest encroachment. Through her research, Georgina endeavors to solve this historical problem by providing affordable and accessible alternatives to smallholder livestock farmers.
Georgina Chepkoech RonoKenya Sally Mukami Kimathi
Kenya
Sally Mukami Kimathi
Kenya
Socio-economic Research Assistant, International Center of Insects Physiology and Ecology - Sally Kimathi is an economist with rich experience in agricultural research, particularly in agricultural technology adoption, impact assessment, climate change, international trade, agricultural financing, and gender analysis. She is involved in data modeling of the COVID-19 pandemic impact on Eastern African countries' food security. Her career aspiration is to be a renowned African economist and agricultural researcher in quality research that informs policymakers in Africa and beyond.
Sally Mukami KimathiKenya Chisomo Mukoka
Malawi
Chisomo Mukoka
Malawi
Process Engineer-In-Training, Nchalo Mill-Illovo Sugar - Chisomo Mukoka, a Chemical Engineer and recent graduate, is goal-oriented and passionate about the environment. She has worked with Rice360 in Malawi and the USA, which has exposed her to the world of research and innovation. Chisomo looks forward to developing skills in leadership, management, presentation, and networking for career development. She believes that there is always a better way to do things if we are dedicated enough to find it.
Chisomo MukokaMalawi Dorothy Chisusu
Malawi
Dorothy Chisusu
Malawi
Research Analyst, WorldFish - Dorothy Chisusu is implementing research projects on fisheries and aquaculture, focusing on piloting inclusive business and entrepreneurial models for smallholder fish farmers in Zambia and Malawi. She looks forward to building institutional partnerships for the implementation of research-driven policies to achieve Agenda 2063. Through impactful research, Dorothy aspires to become part of Malawi and Africa’s home-grown solution to development challenges.
Dorothy ChisusuMalawi Edidiong Okokon Atakpa
Nigeria
Edidiong Okokon Atakpa
Nigeria
Doctoral Student, Zhejiang University China - Edidiong Okokon Atakpa’s research interest is on microbial remediation of marine environmental contaminants such as petroleum hydrocarbons. Her overall goal is to offer cost-effective and eco-friendly alternatives for mitigating pollution in the marine ecosystem. Edidiong is confident that this Leadership Program will offer her valuable strategies and approaches for solving complex professional and social problems.
Edidiong Okokon AtakpaNigeria Adefare Tomisin Elizabeth
Nigeria
Adefare Tomisin Elizabeth
Nigeria
Founder, Topak Agro Hub - Tomisin is an agricultural professional with extensive knowledge in research for development and providing agronomic support for enhanced food security. She founded Topak Agro Hub, an agricultural development organization carrying out school and community garden projects to combat hunger and malnutrition. She has partnered with various organizations to carry out community sensitization projects on environmental conservation, rural health, and sanitation.
Adefare Tomisin ElizabethNigeria Aghogho Kolawole-Daniels
Nigeria
Aghogho Kolawole-Daniels
Nigeria
Principal Research Officer, Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research - Aghogho Kolawole-Daniels is a Marine Ecologist/ environmentalist who specializes in Marine Ecology/biology. Her main research focus is on the biology, ecology, distribution, biodiversity, and conservation of marine living resources. Aghogho desires to become a renowned and relevant research fellow and a mentor to upcoming research scientists.
Aghogho Kolawole-DanielsNigeria Nguvan Mercy Agaigbe
Nigeria
Nguvan Mercy Agaigbe
Nigeria
Project Manager, Yankari Game Reserve - Nguvan Mercy Agaigbe seeks to provide new insight on how fire-created variability could affect species distribution and habitat selection; of ground-dwelling birds. This information will provide wildlife managers with the relevant tool for creating habitat features that increase native biodiversity in fire-dependent ecosystems. Mercy desires to mentor young professionals with a passion for nature conservation and contribute toward a community of young professionals promoting biodiversity conservation in Nigeria.
Nguvan Mercy AgaigbeNigeria Anna Sarr, Senegal
Senegal
Anna Sarr, Senegal
Senegal
Student Intern, Université de Thiès - Anna Sarr aims to be a researcher in the agricultural value chain and offer technical support to small family farms across the region for sustainable agriculture and more productivity and profit. She is a fifth-year student specializing in rural economies and sociology at the École Nationale Supérieure d'Agriculture in Senegal. Her current research project seeks to bridge the gap on cowpea production and its nutritional value by building a quantitative inventory on cowpea supply and demand in Mali and Senegal.
Anna Sarr, SenegalSenegal Elisabeth Diatta
Senegal
Elisabeth Diatta
Senegal
Sorghum Breeder, Senegalese Agricultural Research Institute - Elisabeth Diatta is a plant breeder working on developing dual-purpose sorghum (grain and forage) for human and animal consumption in Senegal. Through her research, she wants to create genetic mechanisms that control protein digestibility in sorghum. This research will help alleviate the impact of food insecurity and malnutrition in Africa and other parts of the world
Elisabeth DiattaSenegal Grite Nelson Mwaijengo
Tanzania
Grite Nelson Mwaijengo
Tanzania
Lecturer and Researcher, Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology - Grite Nelson Mwaijengo’s research focuses on freshwater ecology. Her research interests lie in applying eco-hydrology tools, GIS, and remote sensing to assess freshwater for its sustainable management. Grite is well-versed in designing freshwater ecological studies and data collection, analysis, and presentation. She has authored and co-authored scientific publications/papers in international peer-reviewed journals.
Grite Nelson MwaijengoTanzania Happiness Charles Bupamba
Tanzania
Happiness Charles Bupamba
Tanzania
Tutorial Assistant, Sokoine University of Agriculture - Happiness Charles Bupamba aspires to travel the world and interact with different cultures in different nations to develop her experience and knowledge. Over the years, she has conducted field training with various institutions in natural sciences and tourism. Her research focuses on the impact that recreational infrastructure built inside protected areas has on small mammals. Her long-term plan is to be part of various institutions and organizations that will help expand her horizon while assisting the communities, starting with her’s.
Happiness Charles BupambaTanzania Tumuhimbise Mellon
Uganda
Tumuhimbise Mellon
Uganda
Biology and Chemistry Teacher, St. Kagwa Bushenyi High School - Mellon Tumuhimbise, a secondary school teacher, is a role model to her female students due to her academic achievements and work in plant protection and environmental conservation. She is convinced that this Leadership Program will develop her capacity to encourage more young girls/women in science and technology for realized sustainable development.
Tumuhimbise MellonUganda Aber Stella
Uganda
Aber Stella
Uganda
Project Officer, Plant International - Aber Stella is an agriculturalist by education and practice who aspires to grow into a leadership role in agricultural-related programs. She is confident that this Leadership Program will bring out the leader in her.
Aber StellaUgandaSupported By
