How Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings is championing women's and children’s rights through general practice, sanitation and politics in Ghana

[sidebar_widget sidebar_id="sidebar-1" width="1/1" el_position="first last"] [spb_text_block pb_margin_bottom="no" pb_border_bottom="no" width="1/1" el_position="first last"]Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings is a medical doctor, and a member of parliament for the Klottey-Korley constituency in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Conflict, Peace and Security.She has led various initiatives championing women's and children’s rights, and improving sanitation in Ghana – initiatives she is very passionate about.Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings is the eldest daughter of the first President under the 4th Republic of Ghana – Jerry John Rawlings, and former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings.

• When did you realise you had an interest to go into medicine, and why?

"That must have been in primary school. I always had a First Aid Kit. I was always looking for someone who was hurt so I could put a plaster or bandage on their arm or leg. I just always had that interest, and I think it never went away. I liked the idea of people feeling and getting well. Of course, there is the real aspect of that when you get into the job. There are always a few sad stories that you have to deal with all the time. But I'd say the passion for wellness started, I think, when I was quite young in primary school."

• Describe a time during your education in medical school that you really enjoyed.

"I'd describe these in two parts. The first part of it would have been when we started our Anatomy course in the dissection room. It got me thinking, "this is actually a real human body and you're actually taking it apart and learning about its different layers". I found that interesting because I literally had to go through the whole human body – from the head down to the toes, but not in that order specifically.The other part I enjoyed a lot was the practical aspect of medicine, especially in surgery. I often joined surgeons in operating theatres, and that for me was another interesting, and humbling experience. You'd have a human body opened up on the table with your gloved hands inside a body cavity. You can feel the person is warm. You know they are alive and you’re thinking, "my goodness, this is someone who's alive on this table, and we are here making a difference." You just hope, having done all you can, the person will wake up again. It is a combination of things where you know that your intervention is making a difference. But you also know that you can't determine whether the person will actually live or die. There's that humbling aspect of it. And personally, it has reinforced my belief in God, because you have to believe in a higher being when you see all the different processes that occur in the human body, and the miracle of how things do not go wrong as often as they could – whether it is from the stage of conception and how the body eventually differentiates into its different parts. Or how if one chemical is not produced at one stage in the embryological development of the foetus, the result is webbed fingers or even how a fault in one small gene results in severe anomalies in development or even in diseases. It is hard to not believe in a Creator when you know everything that could possibly go wrong and the fact that there are 7 billion+ people on this planet who've actually survived conception, gestation and birth."

• Why did you decide to go into politics? And what does it feel like to be a Ghanaian woman in politics?

"I suppose it was something that happened out of a desire to just support and empower communities. I grew up in a family that was political. I was born into it. But it was not an incentive.I saw the negative aspect of it. There were times when my siblings and I actually had a lot of issues with a few of our teachers because they had issues with our parents and took it out on us. We also had situations where other students in school just didn't like us. And it wasn't for something that we did or didn't do. It was because of our parents. Whenever we did something, it wasn’t simply about just "us". It was about child of 'so and so'. So I did get to see a lot of the negative aspects of this.Politics wasn't something that I aspired to do. It turned out to be a path I found myself on as I moved into environmental advocacy.The June 3rd 2015 flood disaster in Accra, Ghana, was really the thing that actively got me involved in environmental advocacy. At the time that the disaster occurred, I was actually on my way to a conference in Brussels, where I was to do a presentation on environmental issues in Africa. I thought to myself, "why am I travelling abroad to discuss issues in Africa, when there is a real crisis occurring right here in Ghana?" I decided to stay and help in any way I could. This is how this whole journey started. Not with the intention of necessarily going into politics, but to make a difference.One of my frustrations when I was working in General Practice was the fact that I kept seeing the tail end of problems for which, if some intervention had occurred a bit earlier on (in terms of how people perceive the link between themselves and their environment and health), perhaps the outcomes would have been different. This was another thing that sort of influenced my decision, because it was an opportunity to, perhaps, use my experiences and what I had observed in primary healthcare to help and empower communities.What does it feel like to be a woman in politics in Ghana? It is not easy. We live in a culture where there hasn’t been enough of a paradigm shift with regards to the role of women – which is unfortunate because traditionally, in pre-colonial times, and in many of our communities, the woman's role was very central. In some cases, if you check on the history of some of our ethnic groups, you'd actually find that the leaders in a lot of our communities were the women. During these times, the instinct was to always protect the identities of the real leaders. As colonialism became established, we had a situation where the status quo got turned on its head in some of the communities where the women had a more influential role, because there was this whole concept of "if you can distort the structure of society then you can rule it." I think this played a huge role in where we find ourselves today, and why it is so difficult to be a woman in any field of influence in Ghana. If a man takes a position on something and he's strong and passionate about it, it is good. But if a woman does, she is rude or arrogant. This is not encouraging, but someone has to do it. It is challenging, but it can be rewarding.I would like to believe that I have a slightly different approach. There are certain things I would think about or be better suited to do because I am a woman and a mother. So instinctively when I go into a community, there are certain things I take notice of. Instinctively, there are some things that would just come to me. And this is not a political thing. If you can develop tough skin, and try not to let the negativity break you down, you will be fine.When men take on a position, whether it is in politics or a public role, and they mess up, it is just about their performance in that role. On the other hand, when a woman sets a foot wrong, it becomes about everything but her competence. I think that's a discourse that needs to change. This is something I think the media should play a very crucial role in. For instance, if you have media houses that will not entertain people using certain types of derogatory language or certain ways of talking about women, on their programmes for example, I think it will force people to speak differently with regards to how they refer to people in general. Don't forget, our children are listening and learning from us."

• In what way has your STEM background enhanced your career in politics?

"I would say the ability to get to the root of problems has helped a lot. As a scientist, you are taught the scientific method, and as a doctor you are thought how to take history from a patient. And the history taking process is really meant to get to the root of a problem so that you are not merely treating symptoms, but actually trying to find out the "why of the why". You either treat it or you manage it. But you need to know the aetiology. And I would say that probably helped me quite a lot in my approach to challenges and problems I’ve encountered to date."

• Health care is expensive, and our health systems fall short of meeting desired health outcomes. In your opinion as a member of parliament, how do you think we should reassess the impact of healthcare spending in tandem with public healthcare policies on these desired health outcomes in Ghana?

"By and large, whether it is healthcare or something else, we need to shy away from populist policies. If we really want to progress as a country, we need to have a national vision, and every party's manifesto must be in line with this national vision. This national vision must not be changed simply based on regime change. We may tweak it here and there, but it must not be something that is subjected to somebody’s populist agenda. This is one of the aspects of policy making we keep falling short in.When we come up with different policies, it should be with the clear understanding of the context we live in. If you are going to implement something because it worked in, say Denmark, for example; that's a totally different society, with a totally different system, needs and mindsets. Understanding what our context is helps us to develop the appropriate policies we need. We can't develop policies in isolation, because then nothing ever works. We have all these great ideas but the implementation is always a challenge. Is it an issue because we don't have the people who are well enough trained, or is it because we don’t have everything fitting together properly within the context that we live in in this country?With regards to what we can do, we need to critically analyse our situation and apply a holistic approach that keeps the long term vision at the centre of what we do. We cannot examine the healthcare sector in isolation when developing policies. For far too long as a country, we have compartmentalised our various Ministries, Departments and Agencies so much that we are not integrating to fit into the bigger picture. Healthcare touches on the environment, and it touches on education, security, the economy etc. In other words, how do our policies satisfy the SDGs?If access to good healthcare is on the basis of one's socio-economic level, then we are failing our people. In general, we have so many policies. Implementation tends to be our Achilles heel."

• The Ghanaian government – as part of its educational reforms, is to implement policies and programmes to strengthen and upscale the study of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), especially from the basic level. How feasible do you think this will be to achieve gender equality in the study of STEM, while tackling unconscious biases when it comes to STEM education in Ghana?

"Before we even get into gender equality in STEM; how many children in school can read and write proficiently at the basic level? I think STEM education for both girls and boys is a great thing, but are we approaching it holistically? What is the bigger picture? Are we placing enough emphasis on eco-friendly technology? On guiding more children towards the ecological sciences? Are we sensitising our teachers to make sure they are all aligned with the concept of gender mainstreaming and equality in STEM? Unless we address the cultural biases that we have and actively tackle these in all aspects of education, and at a very early stage with the involvement of parents and guardians, we will struggle to achieve the objective of gender equality in STEM."

• What influences your passion as an MP to champion women's and children’s rights in Ghana?

"Who are the ones that are nurturing our children in communities? Mostly, it is the women. How are the women getting empowered to do so? The women are the backbone of our society, therefore to ensure true and sustainable progress and development is to empower the women in all aspects, especially personally and economically. How are we making sure that our children are protected from horrid experiences like child smuggling or being preyed upon by paedophiles. How are we ensuring that our children are properly educated beyond reading and writing? Understanding their civic duty, appreciating the value of critical thinking and patriotism and honest work. We cannot just leave society to be splintered the way it is at present. It is in knowing very well the central role women play in every community, and knowing very well that children are our future, that drives my passion."

• Do you have final words or advice for young Africans looking up to you?

"Look in the mirror and see yourself for all God made you to be. We all have something we can contribute towards the elevation of our communities. It does not have to be something so big. It can be small and still make a difference. It does not have to be something that makes a difference to the entire country. It can be something that makes a difference in your neighbourhood. Never look and say someone else can do it. Look in the mirror and say, "what can I also do to make a difference?" In the words of Ghandi, "Be the change you want to see.""[/spb_text_block]

Meet South African Scientist, Pelly Malebe, developing genetic markers for drought tolerance

[sidebar_widget sidebar_id="sidebar-1" width="1/1" el_position="first last"] [spb_text_block pb_margin_bottom="no" pb_border_bottom="no" width="1/1" el_position="first last"]Pelly Malebe is a PhD candidate in Biotechnology at the University of Pretoria, whose current research focuses on identifying and developing genetic markers for drought tolerance and yield in crop. The importance of such research is linked to her understanding that the genetic basis of drought tolerance may impact on food and job security in Africa.Malebe was the recipient of the Department of Science and Technology Women in Science Doctoral Fellowship in 2013 and currently has a Southern African Biochemistry and Informatics for Natural Products Network PhD Fellowship. In 2017, she was selected as the Next Einstein Forum (NEF) Ambassador for South Africa.NEF is an initiative of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) in partnership with Robert Bosch Stiftung, and a platform that connects science, society and policy in Africa and the rest of the world – with the goal to leverage science for human development globally. 

"I was born in a village in Limpopo called Maseven. There were no nursery schools at that time. I think I was a bit of a handful because my mother took me to grade 1 at the age of 4 years. When my father had an opportunity to take us to schools in town, he was told I was too young for grade 2 and I had to go back to nursery school."

"One of my oldest memories was me writing on the walls at my parent’s house, mimicking the teacher. Like most children, I have never really been a fan of school. But, I have always had a passion for learning and acquiring knowledge. I went on to study BSc Human Genetics at the University of Pretoria. I then completed a BSc honours degree in Biotechnology. My passion for acquiring knowledge grew, and I remained in academia until I obtained an MSc in Biotechnology. I am currently enrolled at the University of Pretoria as a PhD candidate."

• Tell us about the work that you do, and how you think it is/will be making an impact in the society you find yourself in.

"My research focus is on identifying and developing genetic markers for drought tolerance and yield on the tea plant. These biotechnology tools can be applied to other crop research. My interest lies in identifying ways to increase food security. The threat to food security has become a reality in South Africa as we experienced our worst drought in December 2016. Currently the Western Cape (a province within South Africa) is experiencing a water crises. I am interested in increasing the understanding of the genetic basis of drought tolerance and yield in the tea plant. Ultimately, research such as this has the potential to impact on food security, through breeding of drought-tolerant crop varieties."

• You were selected as the Next Einstein Forum Ambassador for South Africa. How does this make you feel? And what does this mean for you and South Africa?

"I was the Next Einstein Forum Ambassador for South Africa in 2016 and 2017. This has been both an honour and a privilege to be part of such a great initiative and to represent my country. The Next Einstein Forum is a global platform that brings Africa on to the global science and innovate stage: through its biennial NEF Global Gathering, the Next Einstein Forum is bringing the global scientific community to Africa to discuss how science, technology, engineering and mathematics can provide solutions to global challenges. I have always been and will always remain and advocate for “African solutions for African problems”. I believe that we should define what development means for us as a continent and what direction we wish to grow in. We have great untapped talent within our land. We should continue to nurture our knowledge economy."

• What inspired your passion for genetics and biotechnology?

"As a young girl I remember having so many questions and a few answers. I have always wanted to know why people look the way they do. Why I have my mother’s lips and father’s eyes. I remember in high-school when my biology teacher first introduced me to DNA. I found that most of the answers to my questions could be found in textbooks and on a computer screen. That is what led to my interest in genetics and biotechnology."

• What are some of the major developments in genetics in South Africa?

"The South African government, educational and industrial leaders are working together to build the science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) talent pipeline needed to solve global problems. Success in cultivating the next generation of STEM talents depends on collaboration among many stakeholders. There is a need to train the next generation of scientists and technologists to sustain growth in emerging economies. There is also a need for businesses and the private sector to invest in STEM talent to solve complex challenges. Biotechnology is viewed as a scarce skill in South Africa."

• What makes you proud about your journey so far?

"I recently became a mom, July 2017. Tackling motherhood and building a career has proved itself to be the greatest and most rewarding challenge of my life. I think as a working mother you are constantly filled with guilt. If you put too much time into work, you may feel guilty that you are neglecting the young person you have brought into this world. If you invest time with your child, you may feel that you are not making the strides in your career that you would have made. I am learning each day, to live a balanced life. I am proud to say that I am now a morning person, my son has taught me to be that. I wake up to his beaming bright smile and I cease the day! I owe it to myself to fulfil all my dreams, and that includes being happy."[/spb_text_block]

Nuclear Scientist, Nomso Faith Kana on improving broadband infrastructure in South Africa

[sidebar_widget sidebar_id="Sidebar" width="1/1" el_position="first last"] [spb_text_block pb_margin_bottom="no" pb_border_bottom="no" width="1/1" el_position="first last"]Nomso Faith Kana is a nuclear scientist by trade and the founder of Sun n Shield 84 Technologies, a fibre optic cable manufacturing start-up in South Africa.Nomso was elected as one of the top 80 emerging leaders in science and technology in Africa and the Middle East, and participated in TechWomen in 2013, an exchange program for women in STEM fields. She drives UN Women endorsed programs that empower women and the girl child in the SADC. 

"I come from the most supporting family in the Eastern Cape in South Africa, my childhood was filled with lots of activity and curiosity (I am still playful TODAY), and sometimes I would go with my father to the fields and look after his cattle. I became fascinated with science from primary. The first time I watched Star Trek my eyes popped. I still remember that – it was like I walked into a candy store. My parents were both teachers so they picked up this passion for science and harnessed it from secondary to tertiary. I studied computer science, chemistry and physics in my tertiary life. I love programming. I thought I would go that route but the science of chemistry and physics took over, and I landed in medical biology science. I am a qualified medical biology scientist who also got training in medical nuclear science." 

• What is it like to be a nuclear scientist?

"Science makes people reach for objectivity, proven facts and it is in the service of humanity. Science is important for humans to thrive and survive. I discovered that in all my years of working in laboratories. I worked in a radioisotope lab developing methods for chemotherapy treatments, splitting atoms, researching and optimising processes. I hung my lab coat two years ago. As a scientist your heart is always inclined to solving problems. This passion makes you move from one sector to another. I am now in the broadband and ICT sector, and I take pride that I am a nuclear scientist by trade, and that African girls with a similar passion can relate to me."

• You emerged one of the top 80 emerging leaders in science and technology in Africa and the Middle East and participated in TechWomen in 2013. What are your thoughts on STEM education for women in South Africa? Why should this be encouraged?

"I was ecstatic to be recognized and selected in this initiative started by former state secretary of the US, Hillary Clinton. This appointment boosted my career life and amplified my voice and influence. The recognition allowed me to expand my “Pay it Forward" initiative for girls in STEM in South Africa and the SADC. There is a huge deficit of science and engineering professions in the SA and SADC as a whole. An estimated 2.5 million new engineers and technicians are required in sub-Saharan Africa alone to achieve the Millennium Development Goals of improved access to clean water and sanitation. To achieve this, we need to attract every young mind to engineering, especially in the developing world, where attracting more women to fields in which they are underrepresented must be part of the solution. It is important to encourage women to be part of the 'solution table' for all African problem. Girls should be drawn to and retained in STEM fields from an early age. In 2014, a close friend of mine and I started 'Taungana' (meaning coming together) STEM movement, where we recruit and give STEM industry exposure to girls studying in rural areas, excelling in maths and science with a passion for community development. This is coupled with design thinking, entrepreneurship boot camps and innovation skills workshops."

• Tell us about Sun n Shield 84 Technologies, and what you do.

"I am the founder and managing director of Sun n Shield ⁸⁴ Tech group, an ISP and broadband infrastructure company. The group distributes passive fibre optic products, offers solutions for smart cities, participates in broadband rollout and has commenced in erupting a plant to produce local made products to be used for seamless internet connectivity. We believe that Africans must connect to the global community. But first, let’s connect to one another. We are currently in talks with local SADC telecoms to build fibre highways in order to make internet a basic human right as it is emerging to be one. My role is to drive the ship, but I don’t do it alone. I have an advisory team that ensures we move towards our mission's direction."

• What are your thoughts on how sustainable energy can improve the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable inhabitants​​​​​​​?

"Nature has provided us with chemical energy (coal, oil, gas), indirect nuclear energy from the sun (wind, solar and hydro) and direct nuclear energy (nuclear fission from uranium and other isotopes). Sustainability to me is about the importance of moral and sustainable energy policies which governments are custodians of. This means having the most under privileged people in mind when installing energy technology that works for the best benefit of man and the environment. This means respect for vulnerable people and accepting responsibility for the care of our beloved planet."

• What do you do when you aren’t working?

"When I am not glued to my laptop or stuck in meetings, I spend time with family and friends. It's priority! I also love travelling, especially to African countries, spending time with family and friends, meeting new people, learning other cultures and sharing about my faith. I enjoy discussing African politics as well as global markets. I love reading and I admire snakes – I love reptiles! <3"[/spb_text_block]

Luise Nghiueuelekwa on pursuing a career in medicine

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Luise Nghiueuelekwa was born in a small village called Iikuku, in the Northern part of Namibia, where she had her primary and junior high education. After her junior high experience, her aunt saw potential in her and moved her to the city of Windhoek to find better opportunities for a good education.

Today, Luise is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery program (MBChB) at Kampala International University, Western Campus in Uganda.

 

So far this journey has shaped me into being a self-driven, analytic and independent thinker. But most importantly, it has taught me to appreciate life. I look at life in a much valuable sense. It has also left me with the question on my mind that I hope to find an answer to; WHAT IS IT IN THE WORLD OF MEDICINE THAT A WOMAN CAN'T DO?

Luise is a married mother of two.

• What do your family and friends think about your academic career? Are they supportive?

“My family and a few relatives are quite supportive. Their hope and desire is that I complete my studies successfully. I am the first lady, and generally the first person in the whole family to pursue this degree. It is, therefore, “our” degree.”

• What is the general perception of women in STEM in Namibia?

“These are fields that are generally perceived to be in a man’s world only. Although that is the case, over the past few years, women have taken up the challenge to pursue careers in STEM. The battle now is to change the narrative and mindset of the society towards acknowledging women as competent leaders in these areas, just as men are. I am inspired by Dr. Helena Ndume, a Namibian Ophthalmologist, notable for her charitable work among sufferers of eye-related illnesses in Namibia. She was awarded as the New African Woman in Health, Science and Technology in 2017, and serves as a role model to most of us.”

• What are some of the challenges you face with your studies in the university?

“Usually the workload of the program I am pursuing requires sacrifices of long sleepless nights, and generally having no social life. But it will be all worth it in the end.”

• What sort of impact do you see yourself making in the next 10 years?

“There has always been a shortage of doctors from Namibia. Majority of our doctors are foreign who do not speak our local languages. This creates a barrier between patient and doctor interaction. I intend to break this barrier, and I will start by caring for my village district. Hopefully, in the next 10 year, I will be able to create and join an association of local team doctors in Namibia.”

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Ghana's Nancy Abu-Bonsrah is Johns Hopkins' first black female neurosurgeon resident

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Nancy Abu-Bonsrah is making waves and history as the first black female neurosurgeon resident at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

On Match Day, a medical tradition in the US where graduating (fourth year) medical students get to find out which schools they have been matched to to pursue further medical residency training, Ghanaian Nancy Abu-Bonsrah was matched with Johns Hopkins School of Hospital to specialize in neurological surgery.

In the 30 years that Johns Hopkins School of Medicine's neurosurgical department has accepted residents, there has never been a black woman in the ranks. The prestigious program accepts just two to five residents, and is ranked second in the country. Among its most notable alumni is Dr. Ben Carson, who is now the United States secretary of Housing and Urban Development. (Source: CNN)

Congratulations to Nancy Abu-Bonsrah, she matched at @HopkinsMedicine! #Match2017 pic.twitter.com/Pjv7hC8hSr

— Hopkins Med News (@HopkinsMedNews) March 17, 2017

Nancy was born in Ghana, but in 2005 she moved to Maryland, USA with her family when her father was offered a job with the international branch of a non-profit organisation. She attended Hammond High School in Columbia, MD (class of 2008) and moved on to Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, MD, graduating summa cum laude with a degree in Biochemistry and Chemistry. In August 2012, Nancy began medical training at John Hopkins. 

My decision to pursue medicine stemmed from a desire to be of service to others, particularly knowing that there were a significant number of people in my home country who could not receive essential medical services. My family and teachers encouraged and nurtured this goal and it is exciting to see it come to fruition.

• Why Neurosurgery?

"My desire to pursue neurosurgery was actually borne out of shadowing experiences in Ghana. During the winter break in my junior year at Mount St. Mary’s University, I had an opportunity to spend some time in one of the teaching hospitals in Ghana; the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. It was there that I experienced the uniqueness of neurosurgery as well as the general lack of access to care. Not only was I impressed by the surgical skill and fascinated by anatomy, I was also stunned by how overwhelmed the surgeons were. Ultimately, I felt that this field would help me marry a love for the field with a desire to serve. This is why I cannot wait to go back and serve, not only in Ghana, but in other low resource settings."

• You made history as the first black woman to join the neurosurgery program at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, where the medical discipline of neurological surgery was founded. How did you do it?

"I made it thus far through hard work and receiving a lot of mentorship and support from those around me. However, in a lot of ways, I believe I was at the right place, at the right time. I am very fortunate and I hope to use this platform to ensure that other students are likewise fortunate."

• What keeps you motivated?

"My family, my hope to be able to provide effective neurosurgical care for those in need, and the opportunity to mentor others, particularly minorities who are interested in the field."

• Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?

"I hope to join the dedicated group of neurosurgeons who seek to provide neurosurgical care to those most at need but with few resources."

• Any final words for the young girls looking up to you right now?

"Know the reason behind your goals and aspirations, work hard for it and always reach out to others for help when you need it. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it."[/spb_text_block]

Esther Ngumbi - Education is the gateway to ending poverty

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According to the World Bank, the quality of education offered within a country is a strong indicator of its economic growth. More African children are being enrolled in schools. However, the quality of education is questionable; day by day being compromised by a deficit of trained teachers and mentors.

Our interview with one of Kenya's brightest scientists and New Voices Fellow, Dr. Esther Ngumbi, takes us on a journey on the importance of mentorship and education in community development.

In 2011, Dr. Esther Ngumbi graduated from Auburn University in Alabama, USA, with a PhD in Entomology. Since then, she continues to be a global leader, motivational speaker and is passionate about issues related to hunger, gender, education, youth activism and sustainability.

Dr. Ngumbi was a recipient for the highly sought-after American Association of University Women (AAUW) International Fellowship in 2007. She has been featured on AAUW's highly acclaimed national research report: Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics and was named by One World Action as one of the 100 powerful women who change the world.  

Passionate about education, Dr. Ngumbi has served as a mentor with the Clinton Global University Initiative and the MasterCard Foundation. She has also established the Dr. Ndumi Faulu Academy in Kenya to ensure that every child has a solid chance at getting a quality education.

"I come from a family of seven including my father and mother. I was raised in a small rural village called Mabafweni, in Kwale County, Coast Province, Kenya. Both my parents were Primary School teachers and practiced small scale farming to supplement their small teaching salaries. Because of the meager salaries paid to teachers, my parents had to sacrifice almost everything to keep us in school. I still remember vividly how they would go to collect their pay checks, but eat nothing before coming back in the evening, hungry and tired. I wondered at their ability to be in town, in the midst of all the best foods, with money to purchase that food, but choosing not to spend it on themselves so that we could go to school. This had a powerful effect on me and continues to inspire me and gives me the strength to pursue my goals and persevere against challenges however daunting they seem. I went through high school and eventually college and attained a Bachelor of Science at Kenyatta University. As I was growing up, there were many years in which we almost lost our crops like maize, beans to insects and plant diseases. We also never knew the health of our soils. I therefore felt an interest to pursue a career that would permit me to study these insects, the diseases they cause and discover how we can use knowledge about their behavior to manipulate insect-plant systems in order to reduce their depredations. I wanted specifically to be able to make a contribution to food security in Kenya and our world. After my graduation with a Bachelor of Science, I made another step towards the actualization of my dream by pursuing a Master of Science degree. After graduating with a Master of Science degree, I received a two-year scholarship in the State of Israel, Agricultural Research Organization (ARO). Finally, I pursued my doctoral studies in the United States of America. On a beautiful summer day of August, 6, 2011, I graduated from Auburn University with a PhD in Entomology."

• What about Entomology fascinates you?

"Everything about entomology fascinates me. Entomology is the study of insects, and so insects fascinate me. But it is also a science subject where there is a lot to discover. With entomology, and science in general, you never know what you are up to. You see it firsthand. You witness it first before everyone else. The adrenaline is real. You can never get bored. Every day, you have the opportunity to discover something new."

• What is your research about, and how do you see it being translated to solve global problems?

"My research is on beneficial soil bacteria. I am specifically working with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria. These bacteria occur naturally in the soil. The cool thing about them is that they form mutual beneficial associations with plants such as maize, tomatoes and peppers. Some of the benefits they are associated with include making soils more fertile and fending off plant stressors such as insects and diseases. Beneficial soil bacteria enable plants to better tolerate extreme temperature fluctuations and other challenges that come with a changing climate. Furthermore, they help plants grow better thus boosting crop yields. My research is about understanding the mechanisms by which these soil bacteria impart all these benefits to plants.  

For farmers struggling to adapt to climate change, especially small-scale farmers with limited resources, an increase in yield can open fresh opportunities for the simple reason that crop sales generate cash, including money that can be invested in a range of “climate-smart” farming techniques that further conserve water and soil, and sustainably increase production on small plots of land. As concerns about food security increase with the global temperatures, beneficial soil bacteria could be the next key tool for food security, helping farmers around the world conserve water, increase yields and improve nutrition under the changing climate."

• What are some of the challenges you have had to face as an African woman in Science?

"I would say finding women of color to mentor me along the way."

• We can see how passion driven you are as a mentor. Tell us about this experience.

"The future and prosperity of our world depends on the skillful mentoring of each new generation by the one that precedes it. Yes, I do enjoy mentoring. I love giving back through mentoring. I have had amazing experiences mentoring students under both the Clinton Global University Initiative and MasterCard Foundation. My mentees are AMAZING! They are genuinely solving our World’s pressing challenges and they are doing it with GREAT humility. I have honestly learned so much from my mentees that I sometimes think; they are the ones mentoring me.

There is something remarkable about mentoring our future leaders.  Through it all, I strive to be a role model and encourage my mentees to work hard so that they can succeed professionally and positively impact their communities. Having grown up in a community where there were no role models to encourage me to have high aspirations, I am strongly motivated to serve as a role model and mentor and help influence as many young people to strive for whatever their hearts can dream. I am committed to devoting my energy as a professional to making this kind of impact. I also believe that, once empowered, our young people will grow to be great men and women of tomorrow who will come back to our communities and help develop them."

• You are founder of Spring Break Kenya. Tell us a bit more about this.

"Spring Break Kenya is an organization that aims at community integration through the linking of students in institutions of higher learning with the rural communities of the Republic of Kenya in order to build partnerships and develop young Kenyans with the spirit of community and public service. The purpose of our organization is to foster community development through an active approach that engages young university students and professionals in “creating the change they want to see”. We promote the fundamental values of community, public service, responsibility and compassion amongst our young students."

• Does Kenya support Science education?

"Yes, Kenya does support Science education. However, women still face several barriers. Right from childhood, girls are considered to be less intelligent, and thus never expected to out-compete boys. For those that shatter the stereotypes and decide to pursue science, they are faced with other challenges which include; poor quality of Science training, lack of modern laboratories, limited access to computers and internet, inadequate funds to sustain a good Science program, lack of senior women scientist mentors and network of female peers, making it hard to survive in a work place that is characterised by minority dynamics. When Kenya and the rest of Africa have the facilities, calmness, and the right environment to facilitate science, I believe we will make great strides and contributions to science."

• Tell us about the school you have established in Kenya. What do you seek to achieve?

"On a beautiful summer day of August, 6, 2011, I attained what at times seemed to be an elusive dream. On that day, I received my doctorate degree in Entomology and became the first woman in my community to obtain a PhD degree. As I walked to get my degree, I began to cry. My thoughts meandered back to my community in Kenya. I thought of the many children in my community who had the potential to be a scientist like me but lacked the opportunity. It is during that day, I told myself that I would do whatever it would take to give the children in my community, the children from other poor communities, the children in Africa the opportunities so that they can break the poverty barrier, get an education and go out to attain whatever it is that they want to become. Since then, I have dedicated all my passion, efforts, heart, and resources to bring sustainable change in my community beginning with education.

In early, 2012, my parents and I pulled together our meagre resources and established the Dr. Ndumi Faulu Academy. As a family, we believe that education is the gateway to ending poverty. Those who have it have a sure hope of a better future. The school opened doors to 14 children. They studied in a mud class but we were happy to know that we had started giving back. Across four years, we have built eight more classrooms, enrolled 100 more students, built a library and are building a science lab to inspire a generation of scientists. The ultimate goal is to build Africa’s future Harvard and empower as many girls so that they too can break the ceiling and become presidents, lawyers, accountants and scientists."

• What keeps you going?

"The genuine infectious smiles from students attending our school. Every time I go to Kenya and spend time with them, I am inspired to do more. Our motto is BE STRONG and every time I spend time with students they ask me over and over again to BE STRONG! At the same time, the progress we have made from taking small steps inspires me to do more. Every time I go to my hometown, Mabafweni, Kenya, I remember the journey. I look at where we began and where we are. This is the inspiration that drives me to look for more resources to give our young people all they need to reach for their stars and launch to a BRIGHTER FUTURE! Their success is my success! In them, I see a future. For them, I am determined to do anything and go an extra mile!”"

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