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.

Fawziyah Oyefunke Olarinoye is a graduate of University of Port Harcourt, where she specialized in petroleum and gas engineering with a focus on energy economics. Her doctoral research explored the use of agro-waste-based amino acids as kinetic hydrate inhibitors, developing sustainable solutions for hydrate control and management in oil and gas pipelines.

Her work focused on the synergistic performance of mixed, naturally derived inhibitors to prevent pipeline blockages caused by gas hydrates—an approach that offers a more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional chemical treatments. Through this research, she contributes to improving efficiency and sustainability in energy systems while promoting the use of agricultural waste in industrial applications.

Fawziyah also completed a research placement at Korea Institute of Energy Research, where she further advanced her work on natural gas hydrate control. She continues to contribute to research and innovation at the intersection of energy, sustainability, and resource efficiency.

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.

Harry Bleppony is a graduate of University of Ghana, where he specialized in food security and agribusiness. His doctoral research, titled “Examining the Effect of Firm Characteristics on Performance and Survival of Agricultural Non-Traditional Export Firms in Ghana,” focused on understanding the factors that influence the growth and resilience of agribusiness enterprises.

His work explored how firm-level characteristics shape the performance and long-term survival of agricultural export businesses, providing insights to strengthen competitiveness and sustainability in the sector. By addressing key challenges faced by non-traditional export firms, his research contributes to enhancing agricultural value chains and economic development.

Harry continues to engage in research and policy-relevant work aimed at improving agribusiness performance and supporting sustainable food systems in Ghana and across Africa.

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.

Isidore Nsengimana is a graduate of Sokoine University of Agriculture, where he conducted his doctoral studies within the SACIDS Africa Centre of Excellence for Infectious Diseases. His research falls under the food security and agribusiness thematic area, with a strong focus on infectious disease epidemiology.

His doctoral work focused on the epidemiology of Rift Valley fever, a mosquito-borne viral disease that affects both livestock and human health. He investigated potential mosquito vectors and applied genomic epidemiology to better understand outbreaks in Rwanda, contributing to improved disease surveillance and control strategies.

Isidore’s research supports efforts to strengthen One Health approaches by linking animal, human, and environmental health in the fight against emerging infectious diseases 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.

Jacinta Nmutaka Umechukwu is a graduate of University of Ghana, where she completed her doctoral studies in Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness. Her research falls under the food security and agribusiness thematic area, with a focus on understanding the socioeconomic impacts of environmental change on agricultural systems.

Her doctoral research examined the impact of flooding-induced migration on agricultural technical efficiency, exploring how displacement and environmental shocks affect farm productivity and rural livelihoods. Through this work, she provides insights into the relationship between climate-related disruptions and agricultural performance, with implications for sustainable rural development.

Jacinta’s work contributes to strengthening evidence-based approaches to food security and resilience in vulnerable farming communities. She continues to engage in initiatives related to sustainable agriculture and rural development in Nigeria and beyond.

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.

Dr. Jean Nepomuscene Hakizimana is PASET-RSIF Alumnus from Rwanda.

He is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Oliver R Tambo Africa Research Chair for Viral Epidemics, Southern African Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance (SACIDS) Foundation for One Health of the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), one of the Rsif African Host Universities (AHUs) where he completed his PhD studies.

Dr. Hakizimana is determined to contribute to containing viral epidemics in Africa. To date, he has published six (6) papers and four manuscripts from his Ph.D. research have been published in high impact international peer-reviewed journals, including Viruses.

Dr Hakizimana holds a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) obtained in 2014 from Inter-State School of Sciences and Veterinary Medicine (EISMV) at the Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal and an MSc in Veterinary Epidemiology and health risk management from the same university.

His research interests include the epidemiology of viral diseases that threaten health, food security and livelihood, disease dynamics and the application of next generation sequencing technologies and associated bioinformatics to understand transmission dynamics of infectious diseases.

Dr Hakizimana holds a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) obtained in 2014 from Inter-State School of Sciences and Veterinary Medicine (EISMV) at the Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal and an MSc in Veterinary Epidemiology and health risk management from the same university. His research interests include the epidemiology of viral diseases that threaten health, food security and livelihood, disease dynamics and the application of next generation sequencing technologies and associated bioinformatics to understand transmission dynamics of infectious diseases.

Dr Jean-Yves EKRA is a dedicated researcher whose work at Sokoine University of Agriculture has contributed to advancements in food security. His research focuses on Genetic potential of local cattle

Dr EKRA is committed to using his knowledge and skills to drive impactful change in Ivory Coast and beyond.

Dr. Jeanne Pauline Munganyika is currently a Geologist and coordinator, Co-founder at N.M.K. Geological and Mining Consultant Services Ltd.

She successfully defended her PhD Research thesis on Geometallurgical Characterization and Environmentally friendly method of gold leaching process in Rwanda and Nigeria at the African University of Science and Technology, Nigeria on 12^th October 2022. Her research seeks to characterize gold ores in different parts of Rwanda and Nigeria and to suggest the most suitable gold recovery method. This will help the two countries to reduce wastage during gold processing and to reap the benefits of their gold endowment.

Dr Jonas Bayuo is a distinguished researcher in Minerals, Mining, and Materials Engineering. He obtained his PhD from the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), Tanzania, where his research focused on optimizing the removal of arsenic(III) and mercury(II) from mono- and binary biosorption systems using hybrid activated carbon.

Defending his thesis on 29th August 2024, Dr Bayuo’s work contributes to environmental sustainability by advancing water purification techniques for heavy metal removal.

He currently serves as a lecturer at C.K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences, where he is dedicated to training future scientists and engineers. As an Rsif Alumnus, Dr Bayuo continues to drive impactful research and innovation in Africa.

Dr. Linda Bih Numfor is a Material Science and Engineering researcher who completed her PhD on Synthesis and comparative study of biochars and clay balls for heavy metals removal from selected industries from the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) in Tanzania. Her research focuses on using waste materials to treat water and create sustainable construction materials

Dr Nduwayezu Anastase is an Rsif Alumnus in Climate Change. He earned his PhD from Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny (Côte d’Ivoire), where he conducted research on the Effect of climate change on potato crops in Rwanda: Impact on major diseases.

He successfully defended his thesis on 5th August 2024.

His work provides critical insights into the impact of climate change on crop health and disease management, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices in Rwanda and beyond.

Dr. Noel Gahamanyi is PASET-Rsif Alumnus from Rwanda. He is currently a Lecturer of Microbiology at the University of Rwanda. His research area is in Molecular Epidemiology and Antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter using One Health approach. He completed his PhD studies at Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania in 2021.

Dr Gahamanyi holds MSc in Microbiology from Jain University (India) and BSc in Biotechnology from the former National University of Rwanda. Before embarking on Ph.D. journey, he served as a Lecturer of Microbiology-related courses at Catholic University of Rwanda where he also served as Head of Biotechnology Department and then as the Vice-dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology (2013-2018).

In Research, Dr Gahamanyi has ten (10) published papers and one book chapter all related to Microbiology. Six of these papers are indexed in the PubMed. He also served as a reviewer for six international journals. Dr Gahamanyi chaired the committee in charge of monthly webinars for PASET scholars (2021-2020), and is a member of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) and the Young East African Health Research Scientists (YEARS) forum affiliated to the East African Health Research Commission.

Dr Gahamanyi received a number of awards including the Best Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) Postgraduate student Research Award for the academic year 2020-21 and the First-class with gold medal after completing MSc in Microbiology at top of the class (2013).

Dr Koech holds a PhD in Material Science and Engineering and an MSc in Physics. As an esteemed Rsif alumnus, he currently serves as a lecturer of Physics at Moi University, Kenya. His research interests are centered on materials characterization for applications in solar cells, light-emitting diodes, and energy storage devices. Dr Koech’s current focus is on perovskite solar cells, and he has made significant contributions to the field through numerous published papers. His work is pivotal in advancing the development of innovative materials for sustainable energy solutions.

Dr Rogia Saïdath Adéline Gomez is an Rsif Alumnus in Food Security and Agribusiness. She obtained her PhD from Sokoine University of Agriculture (Tanzania), where her research focused on biosecurity in poultry farms and its effects on productivity and meat safety. Her work contributes to improving food safety and enhancing poultry farming practices in Africa.

She successfully defended her thesis on 26th February 2025.

Dr Gomez is dedicated to advancing food security through research and innovative agricultural practices.

She successfully defended her PhD thesis at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) in Tanzania on 7^th August 2023. She was the first Rsif scholar in the second cohort to finish her PhD study. Her research topic was on remediation of soils contaminated with fluoride using seaweed-derived materials. She undertook her sandwich placement at the University of Greenwich Natural Resources Institute (NRI), UK

Dr. Moirana was awarded the “Top Ph.D. student of 2023 in the School of Materials, Energy, Water, and Environmental Sciences (MEWES). She has four (4) published research articles derived from the results of her PhD research. She was also the first runner in the business plan competition at NM-AIST with the business idea “Mbolea Bora”

She is currently  a Lecturer in Material Science and Engineering at NM-AIST). She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Tanzania and then went to China for her Master’s degree in Environmental Science and Engineering at Harbin Institute of Science and Technology (HIT) where she graduated with honors. Her research interests are water and wastewater treatment, climate change mitigation and adaptation and soil science. She is the current lead researcher in a project funded by PASET-Rsif under the Junior Investigator Research Award (JIRA).

Dr Saani Nassam Iddrisu is an Rsif Alumnus in Food Security and Agribusiness. He earned his PhD from the University of Ghana (Ghana), where he conducted research on the demand for and profitability of investing in processed mushrooms in Ghana. His work provides valuable insights into agribusiness opportunities and sustainable food production.

He successfully defended his thesis on 1st May 2024 and currently serves as a Senior Agricultural Officer at the Department of Agriculture, Adentan Municipal Assembly, Local Government Service.

Dr Iddrisu continues to contribute to agricultural development and food security initiatives in Ghana.

He successfully defended his PhD Research thesis on Techno-economic impact of photovoltaic solar power plants connected to the electrical network under Sahelian climate at University of Nairobi, Kenya on 5^th June 2024.

His research provides valuable insights into the feasibility, efficiency, and economic benefits of integrating photovoltaic solar power within the Sahelian climate, addressing the unique challenges and opportunities presented by this region.

Dr Palm’s work contributes significantly to the field of renewable energy, offering practical solutions to enhance the energy infrastructure in Sahelian countries. By focusing on the techno-economic aspects, his research supports the sustainable development of solar power projects, aiming to improve energy access and stability in the region.

Dr. Sylvia Wairimu Maina successfully defended her PhD Research thesis on Deciphering biosynthesis and utility of bioactive compounds in neglected African cabbage and Ethiopian mustard vegetables at Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro Tanzania on 26th January 2023.

Her research aims to understand the health benefits of bioactive compounds in Africa’s orphan vegetables (African cabbage and Ethiopian kale) and strategies to improve their content in a smart farming system.

Dr Sylvia has authored four peer reviewed articles from her research findings which have gathered over 70 citations

Dr Theofrida Maginga is a Lecturer at Sokoine University of Agriculture.

She successfully defended her PhD Research thesis in embedded computing systems from the University of Rwanda. She is developing a Swahili chatbot for smallholder farmers with low literacy and scarce resources.  This will help farmers detect crop diseases easily and efficiently.

Dr Tusekile Alfredy is a researcher in Minerals, Mining, and Materials Engineering. She earned her PhD from the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), Tanzania, where her research focused on metal oxides modified carbon electrode materials for defluoridation and paraquat herbicide removal from water by capacitive deionization.

She successfully defended her thesis on 1st May 2024. Her research contributes to improving water purification technologies, addressing critical environmental challenges related to water contamination.

Dr Alfredy is currently a Lecturer at NM-AIST in Arusha, Tanzania, within the School of Materials, Energy, Water, and Environmental Sciences. As an Rsif Alumna, she continues to advance scientific research and mentor the next generation of scholars in sustainable materials engineering.

Dr Ursula Hillary Tumamo Djuidja, a Cameroonian researcher, is dedicated to advancing climate resilience in agriculture through socio-economic and ecological approaches. She earned her PhD from Bayero Kano University, Nigeria, under the PASET-Rsif thematic area of Natural Resources Management and Climate Change. Her research focused on assessing agricultural climate adaptation and climate information services in the North Region of Cameroon through a political ecology lens.

With expertise in agro-socioeconomics and climate policy, Ursula aims to enhance farmers’ access to reliable climate information, ensuring sustainable agricultural practices and improved livelihoods. She continues to contribute to climate adaptation strategies that strengthen food security in Africa.

Dr. Jean Baptiste Habinshuti, currently a Member at the Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits, successfully defended his PhD Research thesis on Optimization of beneficiation and extraction techniques of tantalite ores at the African University of Science and Technology, Nigeria on 9^th September 2022.

His PhD research area is in Mining, minerals processing and extraction using environmentally friendly techniques; case study of columbite-tantalite ores  from Rwanda and Nigeria. The research focuses on processing and extraction of tantalite from its ores and concentrates using simple, affordable and eco-friendly techniques.

To date, Dr Baptiste has authored two publications and co-authored five research articles.