Advisory Board

Dr Brigitte Uwimana, a Rwandan national, is a breeder, specializing in molecular breeding. She is currently working with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), based in Uganda. Her work focuses on harnessing molecular tools to improve the efficiency and reduce the breeding cycle of cooking bananas and plantains. Brigitte obtained her Ph.D. in Plant Breeding (2011) and M.Sc. in Plant Sciences - Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources (2005) degrees from Wageningen University, the Netherlands. She received her B.Sc. degree in Agricultural Sciences (2002) from the Allahabad Agricultural Institute (now Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture) in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Dr Dejene holds bachelor’s degree from Haramaya University, Ethiopia, master’s degree in molecular biotechnology, Postgraduate Diploma in Biosafety in Molecular Plant Biotechnology both from Gent University, Belgium, and PhD in Ecology and Evolution from University of Bern, Switzerland. He is a researcher and currently the director of biotechnology research at the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR). He is also the principal investigator of the GET-UP (Gene Editing in Tef for Uplifting Productivity) project funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Dr MacDonald Bright Jumbo, a plant breeder by profession, is a Malawian, with Master of Science and PhD in plant breeding and genetics, obtained from North Dakota State University and University of Delaware, respectively, USA. Dr Jumbo, currently based in Mali, is working for the International Crops Research Institute (ICRISAT) for the semi-Arid Tropics, leads the Sorghum improvement program in Africa and serves as ICRISAT’s Breeding lead for Africa. Dr Jumbo also worked with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) for 10 years as maize breeder. Dr Jumbo has worked as a researcher extensively in the field of plant breeding for over 20 years developing improved varieties of maize and sorghum released in many countries in Africa. Dr Jumbo has strong passion for research work in crops and his vision is to see Africa free of hunger in the future.