Alumni

Dr Benjamin Musah Abu is a dedicated scholar and Lecturer at the Department of Agricultural and Food Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Sciences. His research focuses on enhancing smallholder farmers’ market participation and improving agricultural productivity in Ghana.

Dr Abu has contributed to the advancement of food security and agribusiness through his work on agricultural production systems, market dynamics, and economic sustainability. His expertise and commitment to research aim to inform policies that foster inclusive and efficient agricultural markets in Africa.

Kamara Adjata is a graduate of Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, where she specialized in climate change and sustainable agriculture. Her doctoral research, titled “Sustainable yam production by post-harvest pest control in Côte d’Ivoire: characterization of yam pathogens and use of biopesticides against them,” focused on improving food security through environmentally sustainable farming practices.

Her work examined the major pathogens affecting yam during post-harvest storage and explored the use of biopesticides as a safer and more sustainable alternative to chemical treatments. By addressing post-harvest losses, her research contributes to strengthening agricultural resilience and supporting smallholder farmers.

Kamara continues to contribute to efforts aimed at enhancing sustainable agricultural systems and climate-resilient food production in Côte d’Ivoire and across Africa.

Dr Alde Belgard Tchicaya is an accomplished researcher specializing in Minerals, Mining, and Materials Engineering. He earned his PhD from the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (Tanzania), one of the Rsif African Host Universities (AHU).

His research focused on the techno-economic analysis of a solar-assisted heat pump dryer integrated with a thermal energy storage system for drying biomaterials. His work contributes to advancing sustainable energy solutions for industrial and agricultural applications, addressing efficiency and cost-effectiveness in drying technologies.

As an Rsif Alumnus, Dr Tchicaya exemplifies the program’s mission to foster scientific innovation and research excellence in Africa.

Dr Barbara Kabwiga Asingwire is a lecturer at Busitema University in Kigali, Rwanda. She is passionate about leveraging the Internet of Things (IoT) to enhance healthcare services. She completed  her PhD from the University of Rwanda’s Africa Centre of Excellence in Internet of Things (ACEIoT) under the PASET-Rsif ICTs thematic area, focusing on delay minimization for heterogeneous traffic in IoT-based healthcare services.

Her research aims to develop efficient scheduling schemes that reduce delays in responding to time-sensitive medical conditions, ultimately improving patient outcomes. She underwent her sandwich placement at Seoul National University, one of Rsif’s International Partner Institutions (IPIs).

Barbara continues to explore innovative solutions at the intersection of technology and healthcare.

Mr. Bara Diop graduated from Université Gaston Berger, Senegal, where he specialized in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) with a focus on big data and artificial intelligence. His doctoral research, titled “Automatic page categorization in a semantic wiki,” explored how intelligent systems can improve the organization and structuring of knowledge in collaborative digital environments.

His work focused on developing AI-driven methods for automatically classifying content within semantic wiki platforms, enhancing information retrieval and knowledge management. By addressing challenges associated with large-scale, user-generated data, his research contributes to more efficient and accessible digital knowledge systems.

Mr. Diop continues to engage with advancements in artificial intelligence and data-driven technologies, contributing to the growing field of digital innovation in Africa.

Motin Bashiru, who was enrolled at the University of Ghana, Legon, one of the Rsif African Host Universities (AHUs), successfully defended his PhD theses on January 6, 2025. His research was in the Rsif Thematic area of Food Security and Agribusiness. Dr Bashiru undertook his sandwich programme at  one of the Rsif International Partner Institutions (IPIs), where his research focused on “Renewable Resources Use in Smallholders’ Integrated Farm Model: A Design Thinking Approach for Sustainable Farm Enterprise in Ghana”.

Dr Benjamin Sarfo is a dedicated researcher passionate about enhancing agricultural sustainability through innovative climate-smart farming solutions. His PhD research at the University of Ghana focused on applying a design thinking approach to develop sustainable farming practices, addressing key challenges in food security and agribusiness.

Dr Sarfo has demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing knowledge in his field. With experience in agricultural innovation, sustainability, and climate adaptation, he is driven to contribute to transforming Africa’s agricultural landscape for a more resilient future.

Dr Bethwel Tarus is a dedicated researcher in Minerals, Mining, and Materials Engineering. He earned his PhD from the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), Tanzania, where he conducted groundbreaking research on Beaded Electrospun Carbon Nanofibers for Capacitive Deionization Desalination.

Successfully defending his thesis on 14th August 2024, Dr Tarus’ work contributes to innovative water purification technologies, addressing the global challenge of water scarcity through advanced nanomaterials.

He currently serves as a part-time lecturer at Moi University, where he continues to share his expertise and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. As an Rsif Alumnus, Dr Tarus embodies the program’s commitment to advancing research and innovation for sustainable development in Africa.

Dr Charlie Frank Arthur N’Guessan Amoia is an Rsif Alumnus specializing in Food Security and Agribusiness. He obtained his PhD from Sokoine University of Agriculture (Tanzania), where he focused on the use of the Newcastle disease virus LaSota backbone for the synthesis of a recombinant vaccine. His research contributes to improving poultry health and food security through innovative vaccine development.

He successfully defended his thesis on 17th October 2024 and remains dedicated to advancing agricultural research and policy implementation to enhance food security in Côte d’Ivoire and beyond.

He successfully defended his PhD Research thesis on Using Machine Learning for weather forecasting and crop disease classification and severity quantification to increase farmers’ resilience to the negative effects of a changing climate” at the Gaston Berger University of Saint Louis, Senegal, on April 27, 2024.

His research represents a significant contribution to both agricultural science and climate resilience. His work aims to enhance farmers’ ability to adapt to climate change through advanced data analysis and machine learning techniques. Dr Nyasulu’s research underscores his commitment to leveraging technology for sustainable agricultural development and climate adaptation.

David Oluwasegun Afolayan, who was enrolled at the African University of Science and Technology (AUST) in Abuja, Nigeria, one of the RSIF African Host Universities (AHUs), successfully defended his PhD theses on 20th December 2021 . His research was in the RSIF Thematic area of minerals, mining and materials engineering. Dr. Afolayan undertook his sandwich programme at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), one of the RSIF International Partner Institutions (IPIs), where his research focused on “Optimization of smart beneficiation and mineral bioprocessing strategy of Nigerian barite for industrial application”. He is currently a volunteer Postdoctoral fellow at the AHU (AUST, Nigeria).

Dr Emmanuel Effah earned his PhD in Computer Science with a focus on IoT from Gaston Berger University, Senegal, in February 2022, with funding from PASET-Rsif. He is currently a Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Ghana. Dr Effah’s research interests encompass wireless sensor networks (WSNs), Agricultural-Internet-of-Things (Agri-IoT), IoT-based water monitoring systems, smart systems design technology, and machine learning. He has authored numerous papers in reputable journals and conference proceedings and has been actively involved in several international research projects. His work continues to advance the application of IoT technologies across various fields.

He successfully defended his PhD Research thesis on development and application of hydrogel microparticles for direct viral RNA amplification and detection from non-invasive animal matrices (saliva and stool) without prior purification of nucleic acids at Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania on 23^rd November 2023. Kifaro holds a BSc in Biotechnology and laboratory Sciences and an MSc in One Health Molecular Biology both from the Sokoine University of Agriculture. His research interests include simple RNA preparation methods, the design and application of field deployable genomic-based diagnostic assays, and molecular epidemiology of viral infections.

He is currently a Lecturer of Molecular Biology at the Department of Microbiology, Parasitology, and Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (CVMBS) at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in Tanzania; and the current lead researcher in a project funded by PASET-Rsif under the Junior Investigator Research Award (JIRA).

Dr Eric Nizeyimana is an Rsif Alumnus in ICTs, including Big Data and Artificial Intelligence. He earned his PhD from the University of Rwanda (Rwanda), where his research focused on a decentralized blockchain-based air pollution spikes monitoring framework over intelligent IoT edge networks.

He successfully defended his thesis on 30th September 2024 and graduated on 25th October 2024.

Dr Nizeyimana is currently a Volunteer at the University of Rwanda, contributing to research and innovation in ICT solutions for environmental monitoring.

Dr Esther Aba Eshun is an Rsif Alumnus in Food Security and Agribusiness. She earned her PhD from the University of Ghana, where her research focused on livelihood diversification and food security of youth-headed households in coastal fishing communities in Ghana.

She successfully defended her thesis on 2nd July 2024 and is currently a Researcher at the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana, Legon.

Her work aims to enhance food security policies and sustainable livelihood strategies for coastal communities.

Dr Fabian Chidubem Eze is an Rsif Alumnus in Energy, including Renewables. He obtained his PhD from the University of Nairobi (Kenya), where his research focused on modeling and simulation of a solar-assisted dual-source heat pump system for space heating and cooling.

He successfully defended his thesis on 29th August 2024.

His work contributes to the development of sustainable and energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, supporting the transition to renewable energy solutions.

Dr Faith Njeri Njeru is a graduate of Sokoine University of Agriculture, where she specialized in food security and agribusiness. Her doctoral research, titled “Evaluating the use of Nanobody as a diagnostic tool for Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease (MLN),” focused on improving early detection of one of the most devastating diseases affecting maize production in East Africa.

Her work explored the potential of nanobody-based diagnostics as a faster, more efficient tool for identifying MLN, supporting timely interventions for farmers. By strengthening disease detection systems, her research contributes to safeguarding maize yields and enhancing food security in the region.

Faith continues to engage in research and innovation aimed at improving agricultural productivity and resilience, supporting sustainable food systems across Africa.

Fatima Awadalla Abass Elhassan is a graduate of Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, where she specialized in climate change and soil science. Her doctoral research, titled “Assessment of Climate Change on Land Suitability and Soil Classification,” examined how changing environmental conditions affect land use and agricultural potential.

Her work focused on evaluating the impacts of climate variability on soil systems and land suitability, contributing to more informed decision-making for sustainable agriculture and environmental management. Through this research, she supports efforts to strengthen climate resilience in agricultural landscapes.

Fatima is currently a faculty member in the Department of Soil and Environment Science at the University of Khartoum. She also completed a research placement at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University through the Rsif sandwich program, and continues to contribute to advancing soil and environmental science across Africa.

Dr Fenet Belay is a distinguished alumna from Ethiopia who recently completed her PhD in Climate Change from Bayero University Kano (BUK) in Nigeria. Her thesis, titled Impact of Agricultural Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change and Variability on Smallholder Farmers’ Food Security in Southwestern and Central Ethiopia, has significantly contributed to understanding how climate adaptation practices can enhance food security among smallholder farmers. During her PhD program, Dr Belay also undertook a research placement at the Natural Resource Institute, Greenwich University, United Kingdom, further enriching her research and expertise.

Dr Belay’s work has provided critical insights into the resilience and adaptive strategies of smallholder farmers in the face of climate variability, offering practical solutions to improve agricultural sustainability and food security in Ethiopia. Her dedication to climate research and its applications in agriculture positions her as a leading figure in the field, driving forward efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change on vulnerable farming communities.

Dr Fidele Maniraguha is an Rsif Alumnus in ICTs, including Big Data and Artificial Intelligence. He obtained his PhD from the University of Rwanda (Rwanda), where his research focused on Monitoring Agriculture Pest Insects using Dual-Polarization Weather Radars.

He successfully defended his thesis on 30th September 2024 and graduated on 25th October 2024.

Dr Maniraguha is currently working on the Volcano Community Resilience Project (VCRP), a World Bank-funded initiative at Meteo Rwanda, where he applies his expertise in ICT and data science to enhance agricultural resilience and environmental monitoring.

Dr. Frejus Sodedji successfully defended his PhD Research thesis on Genetic diversity and optimization for increased carotenoids biosynthesis in cowpea at the University Felix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on 8^th September 2022. He is currently a Research Associate at the University of Abomey-Calavi in Cotonou, Benin. He is passionate about crop improvement, especially emerging approaches and technologies for developing nutrients dense improved varieties of food crops.

Dr Gerard Kponhinto is an Rsif Alumnus in ICTs, including Big Data and Artificial Intelligence. He earned his PhD from the University of Gaston Berger (Senegal), where his research focused on Data Collection and Transmission in the Internet of Things.

He successfully defended his thesis on 19th December 2024.

Dr Kponhinto’s expertise lies in leveraging IoT technologies to enhance data transmission and connectivity, contributing to advancements in digital transformation and smart systems.

Dr Goudjo Habib Toessi is an Rsif Alumnus in Climate Change. He earned his PhD from Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny (Côte d’Ivoire), where his research focused on the Epidemiology of Citrus Fungal Diseases in the Context of Climate Variability in Benin.

He successfully defended his thesis on 8th August 2024 and is currently a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Agricultural Research in Benin (INRAB).

His research contributes to understanding the impact of climate change on plant disease outbreaks, providing insights into sustainable agricultural practices and climate-resilient crop management.

Dr Haftu Abrha is an esteemed alumnus from Ethiopia who recently earned his PhD in Climate Change and Biodiversity from the University Félix Houphouët-Boigny (U-FHB) in Cote d’Ivoire. His dissertation focused on Modelling of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Service Response to the Impact of Land Use and Climate Change in Hugumbrda Grat-Kahsu National Forest, Tigray, Ethiopia. His research has made significant contributions to understanding the intricate relationships between land use, climate change, and biodiversity, providing valuable insights for conservation and sustainable development efforts in Ethiopia and beyond.

Currently, Dr Haftu Abrha serves as an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Climate and Society (ICS) at Mekelle University, Ethiopia. In his role, he continues to advance research and education in climate science and biodiversity, striving to address environmental challenges and promote sustainable practices. His dedication to academia and his impactful research work highlight his commitment to fostering a deeper understanding of climate change and its effects on biodiversity, making him a valuable asset to the academic and scientific community.

Dr Harriet Sibatenda is an Rsif Alumnus in ICTs including Big Data and Artificial Intelligence. She earned her PhD from University of Gaston Berger (Senegal), where her research focused on Analyzing African social networks data to identify development tracks for Africa through concerns formulated on African social networks.

She successfully defended her thesis on 8th March 2025, marking a significant achievement on International Women’s Day.

Her research explores the role of digital platforms in shaping Africa’s development, providing valuable insights into policy formulation, innovation, and socio-economic growth driven by data intelligence.

Dr Hissein Hassan Abdel-Razakh is an Rsif Alumnus in Food Security and Agribusiness. He obtained his PhD from Sokoine University of Agriculture (Tanzania), where his research focused on In vitro studies of the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of selected Chadian medicinal plants.

He successfully defended his thesis on 11th December 2024, with his graduation set for 22nd May 2025.

His research contributes to the understanding of medicinal plant properties, with potential applications in food preservation, pharmaceuticals, and sustainable agriculture.

Dr. Humphrey Andalo Mabwi successfully defended his PhD Research thesis on “Design of synthetic human gut microbiome ecosystem model for screening potential prebiotics” at Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania on 2^nd November 2022. His research sought to design an in vitro system mimicking human gut microbiome ecosystem which can be used for rapid screening of potential functional foods, prebiotics and other materials beneficial to health. These will help in mechanistic studies of functional foods and prebiotics-human gut microbiota (GM) interaction, important in the development of novel therapeutics.

Dr Ishaq Kariim is a researcher in Minerals, Mining, and Materials Engineering. He earned his PhD from the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), Tanzania, where he focused on the performance investigation of hybrid catalysts for upgrading biocrude derived from biomass into biojet fuel.

He successfully defended his thesis on 15th August 2024. His work contributes to advancing sustainable energy solutions by enhancing biofuel production technologies.

Dr Kariim is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at KIER, where he continues to conduct research in renewable energy and catalysis. As an Rsif Alumnus, he remains committed to driving scientific innovation in Africa.

Dr Ivy Sylvia Okello is an Rsif Alumnus in Food Security and Agribusiness. She earned her PhD from Sokoine University of Agriculture (Tanzania), where her research focused on the epidemiology, drug sensitivity patterns, and control practices of African Animal Trypanosomiasis in Western Kenya.

She successfully defended her thesis on 24th May 2024 and is currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Kenya Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Council.

Her work contributes to improving disease control strategies, enhancing livestock health, and promoting food security in Africa.

Dr Jane Gachambi Mwangi is an Rsif Alumnus in Climate Change. She earned her PhD from Bayero University (Nigeria), where her research focused on the suitability assessment of environmental and anthropogenic factors influencing the spatial distribution of Osyris lanceolata in Eastern and Southern Africa.

She successfully defended her thesis on 26th May 2024.

Dr Mwangi’s research contributes to understanding climate change impacts on plant distribution, informing conservation and sustainable land management strategies.