From Lab To Farm

Victoria Adetunji, 2014 Joy Geraldine Adiele, FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWSPost-Doctoral Fellow, 2013 Post-Master’s Fellow,Nigeria NigeriaSince joining the AWARD Fellowship, During my fellowship, I experiencedI have published four papers and a breakthrough in my career andcurrently have four abstracts accepted personal life. I published three papersby two international peer-reviewed in various journals, and attendedjournals. These articles focus on international science meetings ofbiofilm control using probiotics, three professional associations in thesurface interaction, sanitizers, and U.S.A.nutrient control. My best experience as an AWARDMy professional network has increased Fellow was the novel research I carriedto include national, regional, and out in Uganda as part of my ASTinternational professionals in my field. placement. I was part of a researchThis has led to research collaboration team that established a balancedwith other scientists within my cassava-fertilizer formula that resultedinstitution, the country, and West in increased yields. This influencedAfrica region. cassava farmers in Northern Uganda to accept the use of fertilizers forInstitutionally and nationally, my sustainable crop production.portfolio has broadened, resultingin various appointments such as From this opportunity, I forged viablepost-graduate coordinator in my networks and collaborated withdepartment, external examiner at scientists from Africa, America, andanother national institution in charge Europe.of two master’s and one PhD theses,acting sub-dean at my institution, At the same time, I got doctorateand member of an inter-university admission at Wageningen University,delegation to improve facilities and The Netherlands, and secured a fullequipment in my state. scholarship from the Netherlands Fellowship Program. Furthermore,The gender- responsiveness I became a member of the pool ofconsiderations in my work and international experts for the food andresearch have also increased. I business applied research fund.currently train women in productivemixed farming practices, processing, The mentoring skills I learned fromand packaging of milk and meat AWARD got me selected by myproducts, with an aim to improve their institute to conduct mentorshiplivelihoods. to new and younger members of staff, which I have done on several occasions. Together with my mentee’s determination, the mentorship 41

program enabled her to produce Omolara Titilayo a winning application for the 2015 Aladesanmi, 2014 Post- AWARD Fellowship. Master’s Fellow, Nigeria My motivational role-modeling event During the two years of the at my alma mater contributed to 20 fellowship, I successfully completed out of 25 students in the senior class my doctorate degree, published two registering for the university entry articles in international journals, and exam. This was against an average attended both local and international of three that register each year. 14 of conferences. With support from my them chose to study agriculture and mentor, I successfully crossed from related courses. research to academia, which is in line with my career development plan.FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWS Mabel Omolara Akinyemi, As a lecturer, I have the opportunity 2014 Post-Doctoral of mentoring young scientists and Fellow, Nigeria therefore exercise the leadership skills I acquired through AWARD. Since becoming an AWARD Fellow, My participation in an international I have made a lot of progress in my conference on sustainable career and research. I competed for environment and agriculture gave and won my institution’s three-year me the opportunity to showcase my career and research grant award, research outputs to an international which includes an annual research audience as well as network with placement at Cornell University in the renowned researchers in my field. This U.S.A. I will have an opportunity to increased my research visibility. be mentored by a leading research scientist in animal sciences thanks Another benefit from this experience to this grant. The research focuses is the increased self-confidence. I on identifying genes in cattle that was also challenged by my mentor can withstand the impact of climate to explore different research grants change. during this period, and thus won a research grant from the Blacksmith Two of my papers have been Institute for Pure Earth in the U.S.A. I published in two peer-reviewed will use this grant to disseminate my journals and I presented a paper at research outputs in a workshop and a my professional association’s national paper publication. conference. The interpersonal skills I have learned through AWARD have The training that I have received from helped me to be more patient and AWARD has helped me to develop resilient. a listening culture, initialize, and implement new ideas, and increase my experience and expertise in my field.42

Mary Mamle Apetorgbor, My AWARD Fellow Mentee defended FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWS2013 Post-Doctoral her PhD thesis in January 2015, andFellow, Ghana has been nominated for membership in Ghana’s REDD+ Gender WorkingSince becoming an AWARD Fellow, group.I have been promoted to the postof principal research scientist, and Freda Elikplim Asem, 2014my application for the position of Post-Master’s Fellow,chief research scientist is under Ghanaconsideration. With the guidance and useful adviceMy professional networks have grown, of my AWARD Mentor, I have beenleading to collaboration with agencies able to achieve some of the goalsoutside my institution on three donor- I mapped out at the start of myfunded projects that aim to empower fellowship. I have graduated withsmallholder mushroom producers a PhD in development studies,in two regions of Ghana. I currently qualifying me to apply for a post-prepare and supply oyster and oil doctoral fellowship at severalpalm mushroom seeds for sale to international organizations. Mygrowers. application for a lecturer position at my institution where I am currentlyI have published four peer-reviewed business manager is under review.papers in international journals andone in a national journal, an article in a I have prepared three manuscriptsprofessional newsletter, an extension from my PhD, one of which Iflier, and a manuscript under review by submitted to an international peer-a national journal. reviewed journal. I attended three international conferences in the regionI lead a team of researchers who offer and abroad, as well as a nationaladvice and solve disease problems in conference at my institution. At allGhana’s tree plantation sector. the conferences I attended, I grew my network to include professionals atI have participated in a radio program national, regional, and internationalon mushrooms technology transfer levels in my field.and a television documentary onrisk assessment of diseases in aforest plantation. I attended fourinternational conferences in Africa,America, and Asia, as well as fiveregional workshops where I presentedsix papers and two posters, increasingmy portfolio and networks with otherscientists. 43

FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWS Grace Oluwakemi advancement to the graduating class Babarinde, 2014 Post- in my department using some of the Master’s Fellow, Nigeria skills that I acquired during various AWARD training opportunities. My I have achieved 75 percent of the audience admitted that this lecture goals that I set at the beginning of made a positive mark on their career the AWARD Fellowship and I am glad advancement. to be moving up the ladder in my career. Achievements of the past year Priscilla Fransico Ribeiro, include the completion of my PhD 2013 Post-Master’s Fellow, program, which is a pre-requisite to Ghana getting to the senior lecturer cadre at my institution. I have also published Thanks to the AWARD Science Skills articles in journals that qualify me for Course, I have made significant my next promotion. progress on my PhD thesis and expect to complete it at the end of 2015. A As an AWARD Fellow, I was supported doctorate degree will set the stage to become a member of the Institute for my promotion to a senior research of Food Technologists, and as a result scientist. my network has grown such that I am up-to-date on recent trends in The opportunity to conduct advanced my field. I attended an international science training at DuPont Pioneer conference in the region that further in the U.S.A. has exposed me to expanded my network to include world-class research facilities and potential international research helped me acquire critical research collaborators. This has really increased skills. This research placement also my visibility. As a result, my abstract gave me a chance to network with has been accepted for presentation international scientists, some of whom at an upcoming international nutrition I will collaborate with in the near future. conference in Europe. While at DuPont Pioneer, I had the privilege of attending the national plant The networks, links, and skills breeders meeting where I interacted developed have made my work more and networked with renowned plant visible in my institution. I won an breeders. award of excellence as best lecturer in my department, attesting to the My research on developing a maize positive impact I have on my students. hybrid that will be tolerant to low My AWARD Mentor and I won a soil nitrogen is still ongoing. Once university senate research grant to complete, this novel maize hybrid execute gender-responsive research will be very beneficial to smallholder on underutilized indigenous legumes. farmers who generally rely on expensive We disseminated our findings to rural fertilizer products for good yields. From smallholder farmers. I delivered a lecture on career44

my research, I have developed and As part of my advocacy work, I FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWSsubmitted a manuscript to a reputable organized demonstration sessionsjournal. on current farming techniques for smallholder farmers in two villages. ITo grow my network AWARD also conducted a sensitization activitysupported me to join two professional on the use of alternative energyassociations: one regional, and the sources for rural dwellers in twoother international. These associations communities.have increased my network by puttingme in touch with other professionals My network has grown immenselyin my field. My mentorship skills grew since I became an AWARD Fellow,when I began mentoring a junior especially after joining an internationalresearcher at my institution. My mentee professional association in my field.has since gained admission to pursuea master’s degree in biotechnology at I have been giving back tothe University of Adelaide, Australia. communities through motivational andHaving built enough confidence career talks at a secondary school, aswith my mentee, we planned and well mentoring a junior researcher atorganized a seminar at a secondary my institution. My mentee has since co-school where we motivated girls to authored two articles in peer-reviewedpursue careers in agriculture. journals and submitted one manuscript for review.Oluwatoyin Bukola Chete, Rufina Chinelo2013 Post-Master’s Fellow, Chukwumalume, 2013Nigeria Post-Master’s Fellow, NigeriaIn the two years of my AWARDFellowship journey, I published two At the start of my AWARD Fellowship,articles in international journals; one I had just won a scholarship foron the impact of mobile phones on a three-year doctoral researchfemale farmers’ access to markets, program at Stellenbosch University,and the other on gender analysis of South Africa. I have developedmaize marketing. I also wrote a winning and submitted research papersproposal to the Netherlands Fellowship to reputable journals for review,Program. In addition, I collaborated presented my work at conferences,with a colleague to write a paper on and given seminars. I am on course foreconomic diversification in my country. completion, setting the stage for twoTo cap it all, I was promoted to a senior promotions at my institution.program officer from a program officer. 45

A highlight of my fellowship was from the AWARD Science Skills the support given to attend an Course enabled me to win a post- international conference on neglected doctoral fellowship. With enhanced and underutilized species in Ghana, leadership skills, I presented papers where I presented a poster. at conferences and seminars in my country. My improved science writing From the AWARD Leadership skills have resulted in the co-authorship Skills Course, my level of self- of three peer-reviewed journal articles. knowledge, confidence, personal, and interpersonal skills has increased. I My visibility and networks increased can now manage conflict better, give due to support provided by AWARD useful feedback, and communicate to join international and regional effectively. I hope to pass on these professional associations. I am skills to younger scientists and future currently deputy coordinator of the scientists at my role-modeling event International Union of Forest Research when I return to my home country. Organizations (IUFOR) in my region, and have been instrumental in re-FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWS organizing the regional professional association that I am a member of. Mercy Afua Derkyi, 2014 Aissata Traoré Thera, 2013 Post-Doctoral Fellow, Post-Masters Fellow, Mali Ghana My core research seeks to solve one My career development plan has of the big challenges in Mali, which enabled me to achieve a lot within is to produce enough quality seed the year that I have been an AWARD potatoes to meet demand. It requires Fellow. Due to the knowledge I have the establishment of methods and gained in various AWARD activities, locations for rapid multiplication my visibility within my institution has of potato tubers in disease- and increased. As a result, I was appointed pest-free environments to reach the acting head of department, and economies of scale for providing seed have been co-opted as a member of potatoes at prices that farmers can various committees at my institution. afford. My ultimate goal is to provide I have shared the skills learned from high quality and affordable potato AWARD courses with my colleagues seed to 100,000 smallholder farmers by successfully coordinating my in Bamako, Mali. Currently, buying faculty’s maiden retreat and facilitating potato seed accounts for about 50 the inception of a new graduate percent of production costs; reducing program that my department has since this cost will make a huge difference submitted for accreditation. for farmers. Knowledge acquired in proposal writing and gender sensitive research46

I am one of five African women who Matilda Dela Dzomeku, FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWSwon a fellowship in the AWARD 2013 Post-Master’s Fellow,Francophone Pilot Program, in Ghanapartnership with the West and CentralAfrican Council for Agricultural In the two years that I have beenResearch and Development and the an AWARD Fellow, my career andAgropolis Foundation. research skills have significantly increased. As a result, I was appointedMy interest in working with plants head of the mushroom unit atdeveloped at an early age. A turning my institution and I am in line forpoint was when in primary school I promotion to the position of seniorreceived the best score for my essay research scientist, from the currenton my career ambition of becoming research scientist post.an agronomist. After completing highschool in Bamako, I won a scholarship With sponsorship from AWARD, Ito pursue my university studies in attended and presented a paperCuba. and a poster at an international conference in India. My publicationMy research involves diagnostics of the record has never been better—withfirst scheme of potato seed production five peer-reviewed articles published,through aeroponics, which is a soil- and four manuscripts currently underless technology that eliminates the risk development.of pests and diseases and promotes I was a significant contributor torapid and plentiful growth of seed two successful grants by USAID’spotato tubers. The tubers are grown Partnerships for Enhancedsuspended in the air and sprayed with Engagement in Research and Empresaa combination of water and nutrients Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuáriathat produces many more tubers per (Brazilian Agricultural Researchplant than the conventional soil-based Corporation). I am also collaboratingmethod. with scientists at the Ohio State University, U.S.A., as a visiting scholar.I see the AWARD Fellowship as anopportunity to help me achieve my As a result of the AWARD sponsoredgoals as an African woman scientist. membership to two internationalIt is a good inspiration to continue, associations in my field, my networkand it will help me access the links has increased. I look forward toand connections to pursue my PhD, passing on the skills I have learntdevelop leadership skills, learn to from the fellowship program to otherwrite winning proposals, sharpen female scientists that I am mentoringmy scientific writing, and stretch my at my institution.potential not only in Mali, but alsointernationally. 47

FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWS Chinelo Vanessa Ezeocha, natural resources. In the two years 2014 Post-Master’s Fellow, of the fellowship, I have completed Nigeria my master’s degree as I set out to do in my career development plan. During the year I started as an My contributions to work groups AWARD Fellow, I completed my in my institution has tremendously doctorate degree and was appointed increased, leading to such outputs a lecturer at an agricultural university. as successful project proposals, Because of the AWARD Leadership evaluation reports, guidelines, and Skills Course, I have become more manuals. assertive and confident, and now contribute to discussions in meetings Joining two professional associations without fear. increased the scope of my network with professionals in my field. I I have published three journal articles gain valuable insights through my with three more in in the pipeline. I interactions with them. am working on an abstract that I will submit to an international conference The AWARD Leadership Skills in my field. Course equipped me with excellent interpersonal, conflict management, The AWARD Fellowship supported me negotiation, and time management to join an international professional skills. I am much more aware of the association where I have grown my contribution of women in male- professional network in the past dominated institutions. few months, both regionally and internationally. My research work Binta Iliyasu, 2014 Post- has become more collaborative as a Master’s Fellow, Nigeria result of this. Attending the national conference on food science and The AWARD Fellowship kick-started technology in my country cemented my science career journey, with my newly formed networks with specific goals set to advance my professionals in my field. career. I am no longer the woman in the shell, and my research is no longer Grace Gyabaah, 2013 on the shelf. Post-Bachelor’s Fellow, Ghana I have made impressive presentations, advocating for the participation of The AWARD Fellowship has been women in agricultural research from of enormous benefit to me as a the northern part of my country female African scientist working on where girls’ child education is under threat and women’s involvement in agriculture is seen as taboo. With48

these efforts, I hope to provide a rural development in the northern FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWSsolution to hunger, alleviate poverty, part of my country. I am also workingand promote rural development. As towards gaining more scientifica result of my efforts, my institution knowledge and skills to achievehas created a database of women in my goals, and to put smiles on theagricultural research in the northern faces of African smallholder farmers,part of my country to disseminate particularly women. The AWARDinformation on AWARD and related Fellowship was the right motivation Ifunding opportunities for women in needed to achieve my goals.science. Folayemi Isaac-Bamgboye,I am now more visible and confident 2013 Post-Bachelor’seven on the cultural front where Fellow, Nigeriawomen are to be seen but not heard.Furthermore, my research output Winning the AWARD Fellowship jump-and marketability have increased. My started my professional journey. Atvoice is beginning to be heard as I get the AWARD Mentoring Orientationnoticed not only in my region, but also Workshop, I clearly redefined myon the national stage. ambition and established a solid base for my mentor and me to work onThrough AWARD, I have acquired set goals. The AWARD Leadershipscientific and inter-personal skills that Skills gave me better presentation,enabled me to perform exceedingly communication, conflict resolution,well during the defense of my PhD negotiation, listening and feedbackproposal. With the acquisition of skills, making me a better person ata PhD, I hope to move to the next work and wherever I relate with people.professional grade at my institution,where I will make the maximum impact I had an automatic offer of a year’sas set out in my career development membership in the Society of Generalplan. I now have an additional Microbiology as an AWARD Fellow.publication in a peer-reviewed The association sponsored me tojournal, and I am making concrete attend a microbiological conferenceprogress towards the completion of in Italy where I presented one of mymy PhD program this year. The first research outcomes. At the event, I alsoset of a DNA vaccine against African met many scientists, thus increasingtrypanosomiasis disease is ready for my network while improving myprimary screening and testing. professional skills. Some of my research findings were published inMy colleagues as well as my a book of abstracts on biodiversityinstitutional and academic supervisors and proceedings of the internationalsee me as a role model worthy of conference.emulation. I am working towardsresearch collaboration with eminentscientists in my country with an aimof alleviating poverty and promoting 49

FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWS The AWARD Science Writing Course published in international conference exposed me to professional writing, proceedings, bringing my total journal which helped me develop better publications to 20. professional manuscripts and reports; a skill I have also imparted to my In the area of scientific productivity, colleagues. As a result of my improved I have developed a multi-nutrient proposal writing, I won a Netherlands feed block from local materials and Fellowship Program grant to undergo herbs for feeding small ruminants training on food safety. during the dry season. I won a grant from my institution for the next stage My AWARD role-modeling event, of product development, that is, conducted together with my AWARD packaging and storability. I am also a Fellow Mentee, increased my visibility member of the American Society of and network. During the event, I Animal Sciences. sensitized secondary school teachers and students on the importance of Through mentoring, I have positively their active participation in agriculture influenced the life of a junior scientist to food security. in my department who has since won a position in the 2015 AWARD My professional progress became so Fellowship program. My AWARD evident at work that I was promoted Fellow Mentee defended her master’s twice in two years and was sponsored dissertation and submitted an article for a post-harvest course in Israel, for publication from it. In giving back, where I was recommended for a I conducted a role-modeling event research collaboration with South motivating girls in six secondary African scientists. I have completed schools. my master’s program and have enrolled for a doctorate degree. Olubukola Ajike Isah, 2013 Abosede Felicia Iyiola, Post-Doctoral Fellow, 2014 Post-Master’s Fellow, Nigeria Nigeria I have achieved significant growth in After the AWARD Mentoring my research and career as an AWARD Orientation Workshop, I gained Fellow. I am ready to apply for a full confidence to apply for a position professorship post from my current with my country’s Federal Ministry of position as an associate professor Agriculture. Following a successful within my institution. Three of my interview, I was employed as a senior journal papers are to be published, land resources officer and posted to a while one paper has already been college as a lecturer.50

51 FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWS

FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWS I have since joined an international I serve as a mentor to a junior professional association through scientist, providing them with AWARD’s sponsorship, and will be professional guidance on working with presenting a paper at their conference youth involved in agricultural activities. in November 2015. The association My professional network has also has opened up a wide professional grown as a result of the international network for me. association membership that AWARD has sponsored. I continue to learn Cleopatra Felecia Jallay, much from other professionals within 2014 Post-Master’s Fellow, my field. Liberia Olufisayo Atinuke Kolade, During the period that I have been 2014 Post-Doctoral an AWARD Fellow, I have gained self- Fellow, Nigeria confidence, become more organized, and improved my interpersonal My career purpose is to utilize skills. Subsequently, because of the molecular tools to produce disease- leadership skills I learned through resistant rice varieties to improve the AWARD, I am a better team player livelihoods of Nigeria’s smallholder and collaborator, resulting in a better farmers. As outlined in my career work environment. I am more involved development plan, my ultimate career in cross-cutting issues with the goal is to become the director of a partners that my organization works research institute. with, thus building effective teams to improve livelihoods in my country. Thanks to the AWARD Fellowship, I can say I am making headway. During My public speaking skills have the course of the fellowship I attended improved and resulted in greater two crucial interviews, and was offered exposure within my organization and the position of post-doctoral fellow at my community, where I have been a university, which puts me on the path invited to speak to the youth on their to becoming a fully-fledged scientist, civic roles. and ultimately achieving my goals. The AWARD Science Skills Course After attending the AWARD Science improved my writing, resulting in Skills Course, I purposed to author my contribution to a chapter in an four publications within a year. I upcoming publication. Other skills am glad that I managed to publish learned in this training have equipped two articles as the lead author me with the necessary skill to conduct in the American Journal of Plant assessments on prevailing food and Sciences and the African Journal of commodity prices during the Ebola Biotechnology, and co-authored two crisis in my country. other articles.52

Before the AWARD Fellowship, I was the use of alternative (non-chemical) FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWSnot as assertive, self-confident, and control methods, which have theself-motivated as I am now. These potential to be safe and sustainable.qualities are critical to clinching This led to the development ofpositions of leadership in my field. another collaborative project withI have also been able to enhance ICIPE on molecular identification ofmy professional networks through different species of Helopeltis acrossthe networking opportunities Africa. During this time, I also gainedprovided by AWARD and thanks to professional skills in volatile extraction,AWARD’s Advanced Science Training insect behavioral bioassay, and use ofattachment, I was assigned to an state-of-the art equipment. As part ofinstitution where I improved my skills this collaboration, I will be publishingin bioinformatics. a journal article in a peer-reviewed journal for the first time. This wouldAll in all, I am grateful to the AWARD not have been possible without theteam, and especially my AWARD AWARD Fellowship.Mentor, who has mentored, advisedand encouraged me all the way. My visibility has greatly improved through access to a wider circle ofIdongesit Umanah professional networks, as well asMokwunye, 2013 Post- nation-wide surveys and the AWARDMaster’s Fellow, Nigeria role-modeling event. I am a member of the Entomological Society of America,I am a cashew pest researcher, and in the International Association of Plantmy career development plan I set out Protection Sciences, and Womento use my expertise in crop protection Organizing for Change in Agricultureto develop and facilitate participatory and Natural Resource Management.adoption of relevant technologies Thanks to my AWARD activities, myfor sustainable cashew production in visibility within my institution hasNigeria. improved significantly allowing me to participate in a nation-wide cashewIn 2014, I won an Advanced survey program, which resulted in aScience Training attachment at national database of cashew farmersthe International Centre for Insect to facilitate adoption of technologiesPhysiology and Ecology (ICIPE) where and market links. I also authored aI had the privilege of working with chapter titled ‘Field Guide for Insectdistinguished scientists on the chemical Pest Management in Cashew Farms’ inecology of Helopeltis—a major cashew a training manual on Good Agriculturalpest in East and West Africa. As part Practices in the Management ofof this attachment, I developed a Cashew Farms in Nigeria. As a result ofrearing protocol for this pest, and all these initiatives, I was promoted toconducted preliminary field trials on principal research officer. 53

FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWS During the AWARD role-modeling Thanks to these achievements, I event, which took place in a rural was promoted to the post of senior school, I shared my AWARD Fellowship researcher in 2013. Additionally, I was and scientific journey with students, appointed chief of the Institute of colleagues, local leaders, and members Agricultural Research for Development of the AWARD family. (IRAD) Food Laboratory in November 2013 and chief of the Agricultural Pauline Mounjouenpou, Research Center in December 2014. 2013 Post-Doctoral Outside my institution, I have also Fellow, Cameroon gained more visibility. For instance, I am often asked to give the position of I can truly say that the AWARD Cameroon in several scientific reflection Fellowship has helped me to become a forums, including the CEN TC 415 better scientist, leader and collaborator. (Traceable and Sustainable Cocoa). I Thanks to the various training programs have also been engaged as a consultant as well as the excellent coaching of my in upgrading the food industry and in two AWARD Mentors, Dr. Noe Woin drafting procedures for ISO accreditation and Dr. Daniel Achukwi, my career has of laboratories. grown significantly. Through AWARD, I also became a Winning AWARD’s Advanced Science member of the Society of Biology and Training attachment, which saw me the Society of Mycotoxin Research. work at the Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche I thank the AWARD team for changing Agronomique pour le Développement my life irrevocably. (CIRAD) in Montpellier, France was a moment of great pride for me. I Deborah Narh Mensah, worked alongside and networked with 2014 Post-Master’s Fellow, leading researchers from CIRAD and Ghana the University of Montpellier in the field of food mycotoxin control and analysis. My current career goal is to be a senior As a result of this, I was empowered to research scientist. To this end, I have develop an international collaborative so far prepared eight research articles, research project involving Cameroon, four of which have been published in Côte d’Ivoire and France, which was renowned journals such as Molecules. submitted to BMGF for funding. I have To further disseminate my research, I also published three scientific articles in organized five workshops and produced renowned journals, while two more are simplified leaflets used in these in preparation. workshops. In two of these workshops, I trained 56 cassava value chain players54

from Sierra Leone, of whom 90 percent Blessing Adanta Odogwu, FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWSwere women. To assist with enhancing 2014 Post-Master’s Fellow,the visibility of my research, I had a Nigeriaradio interview on the benefits ofmushroom cultivation and consumption One of my career goals is to use myon Radio Love in Sierra Leone. I was creativity and plant-breeding expertisealso featured in a documentary on a to stimulate and facilitate bettermushroom production and processing researcher-to-farmer links, and improvetraining organized for some women crop varieties’ value chains for wealthfrom Sierra Leone to be used on the creation in Africa.IITA Sierra Leone website. At the start of my fellowship, the goalsTaking part in the AWARD Fellowship detailed in my career development planhas also greatly enhanced my were to enhance research skills in plantleadership skills. For instance, I am now breeding and biotechnology, and tosupervising undergraduate students on develop the science skills necessary fortheir final year projects. I am also a lead career advancement.investigator for the Brazilian AgriculturalResearch Corporation (EMBRAPA)- To date, I am glad that I am on thefunded Characterization, Conservation way to attaining the goals I set out toand Domestication of Indigenous achieve. I got accepted into a PlantEdible and Medicinal Mushrooms Breeding and Biotechnology PhDon Agricultural Residues project. program at Makerere University, Uganda,Under this project, I led the team that funded by the Carnegie Corporationconducted an enthnomycological and RUFORUM. Under the AWARDsurvey in villages around the Bia Advanced Science Training attachment,Biosphere Reserve in the western I had the opportunity to improveregion of Ghana. I am also the convenor my skills in marker-assisted selectionof the editorial and publication team through working with Professor J. Kelly, aof the Council for Scientific Industrial renowned bean breeder at the MichiganResearch – Food Research Institute’s State University, U.S.A. By applying the(CSIR-FRI) 50th anniversary international skills and knowledge gained throughconference planning sub-committee. the AWARD Fellowship, I applied for and won the highly competitive NormanI thank AWARD for unleashing the Borlaug LEAP 2014 Fall Fellowship.potential in me. Through AWARD, I have joined a number of national and international professional networks to enhance my networking and visibility. These include the National Association of Plant Breeder, Crop Science Society of America, America Society of Agronomy and the Soil Science Society of America. 55

Nkiruka Celestina Odoh, Miriam Ahunna Ofoeze, 2014 Post-Master’s Fellow, 2013 Post-Bachelor’s Nigeria Fellow, Nigeria When I began my fellowship journey, I am amazed at how fast I have been I set out my professional goals able to achieve my professional which included a 12-year goal to goals, which I outlined in my career become a renowned professor of soil development plan in March 2013. microbiology. In it, I stated that I would further my education, get published in academic During my AWARD Fellowship, I have journals, build my scientific skills, had the opportunity to expand my network, mentor younger women in professional networks, gain visibility agriculture and increase my visibility and obtain additional technical and as I learn about cultural diversity in soft skills, which I apply in my day-to- Africa.FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWS day work. Additionally, I enrolled for my PhD studies, which I am now nearly Exactly one year after beginning my completing. AWARD Fellowship, I was employed as a food scientist at the National My scientific writing and presentation Root Crops Research Institute, skills have been enhanced through Umudike. I have also begun my preparation and submission of postgraduate studies in food science research papers, and presentations and technology. I have attended three at scientific conferences. The most conferences so far, and prepared a notable conferences have been the number of scientific papers, six of 20th International Conference of World which have been published. Congress of Soil Science in South Korea in 2014, and the Conference of Using the resources, skills and Soil Science Society of Nigeria in 2015. knowledge availed through AWARD, Consequently, two of my presentations I applied for and was admitted to the have been accepted for publication in Netherlands Fellowship Program in the respective conference proceedings. November 2014, and the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young To enhance my professional networks, African Leaders. AWARD facilitated my membership in Thanks to the fellowship, I addressed the American Society of Microbiology, an audience of 1,700 during a role- the Women Organizing for Change modeling event! This has been a big in Agriculture and Natural Resource boost to my confidence. Because of Management and Agricultural Society the profiling opportunities presented of Nigeria. by the fellowship, international scientists, including one from I have also shared my knowledge and India, have approached me for a skills with the three undergraduate professional collaboration opportunity. students I supervised in soil microbiology.56

Most importantly, I now work directly appointed the gender focal point FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWSwith rural women farmers to reduce at Centre National de Recherchetheir postharvest losses, and I also Agronomique (CNRA) and coordinatormentor younger women in my of two important projects. I have alsocommunity and encourage them to published three papers and threetake up careers in agriculture so that technical sheets. These are just a fewtogether we can feed Africa. of my main accomplishments during my fellowship period.Ngozi Oguguah, 2014Post-Master’s Fellow, I am interested in improving theNigeria productivity and processing qualities of cassava, yam and sweet potato,Thanks to the AWARD Fellowship, which are key crops in my countryI was able to gain a promotion at and our region. I have worked atwork from senior research officer to the Centre Ivoirien de Rechercheprincipal research officer within the Technologique and CNRA, and havefirst year of the program. A transfer also consulted for the United Nationsaccompanied this from the Physical Development Organization on cassavaand Chemical Oceanography value chain research.department to Fisheries Resourcesdepartment. During my AWARD Fellowship, I was one of the lucky fellows to be selectedI have also exceeded my publication for the AST opportunity. I benefitedtargets and have made presentations from a six-month research attachmentat two international conferences. I am at CIRAD in Montpellier, France. Thealso working on completing my PhD main objectives of my study at CIRADstudies and will utilize the science are to improve the methodology ofproposal writing and statistical analysis quality assessment of attiéké (Coteskills to further my career. d’Ivoire’s unique couscous made from fermented cassava) which currentlyCatherine Ebah Djedji, uses both sensory and instrumental2013 Post-Doctoral methods. I hope to ultimately discoverFellow, Côte d’Ivoire some promising technologies and recipes to be applied to attiéké-During the course of my participation based products to increase theirin the AWARD Fellowship, I was able shelf-life and make them appealingto defend my thesis in June 2014 with to consumers in European, American,outstanding distinction. Further, I was and Asian markets. I give a lot of credit to AWARD for facilitating my achievements through its detailed career development program. Thanks to AWARD, my networking abilities have improved significantly. I am able to form 57

FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWS strategic partnerships with universities, highlighting the commercial potential research centers, rural development of the research compared to the use agencies, international institutions, of synthetic pesticides, was produced. embassies, food companies, Additionally, a research article on consultancies and even government the same has been accepted for ministries. This has greatly helped me publication in a reputable journal. in my work and research. By joining professional associations Mojisola Esther Ojebode, such as the American Society for 2014 Post-Bachelor’s Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Fellow, Nigeria and the International Association for the Plant Protection Sciences, I have At the beginning of my AWARD expanded my networks and obtained Fellowship, I set some ambitious goals access to useful resources such as for myself in my career development journals and other publications. plan. These goals covered aspects Additionally, by applying the various of research, scientific, career and technical and soft skills obtained interpersonal skills that I would require during the first year of the AWARD to advance my professional pursuits as Fellowship, I have fulfilled my research a female scientist. plan through interacting effectively with superiors and colleagues. I was So far, the training is paying off. At my also able to demonstrate some of place of work, I coordinated the revival the soft skills as a speaker at a youth of the Young Farmers’ Club that has leadership forum in Lagos, Nigeria. generated interest in agriculture among students. I effectively applied Blessing Chidinma the skills learnt during the AWARD Okogbue, 2013 Post- Leadership Skills Course. Due to Master’s Fellow, Nigeria the renewed interest in agriculture, students are keeping home gardens My AWARD Fellowship journey and have established vegetable plots began in 2012, when I participated on the school farm. in an AWARD Mentoring Orientation Workshop as a mentee to an AWARD I was admitted into an MSc program Fellow. I was greatly inspired to be at the Nutritional and Industrial Unit a part of this great movement, as I of the Biochemistry department of listened to the AWARD Fellows share the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, their experiences. I was filled with where I conducted research on the great optimism that I too could do it. use of insecticidal plants to protect In drafting my career development cowpea seeds in storage against plan, I listed several goals: to become insect pests. The research results an AWARD Fellow the following year; were excellent! A promotional video,58

to conclude my doctoral research I can testify that the resultant FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWSand acquire both scientific and soft effects of the AWARD Fellowshipskills; and to increase my professional are remarkable. I have been ablenetwork. I also purposed to become to achieve a number of maidena more focused, visible and influential endeavors. By applying the researchindividual. and other skills gained during the various training workshops, II applied for and gained acceptance completed my PhD studies andinto the AWARD Fellowship in 2013. became the first female PhD holderPrior to the AWARD Science Skills in Ecology and EnvironmentalCourse, I had never published any Science at my organization, as wellresearch papers as first author. Although as the first post-doctoral fellow.I had three published papers from Additionally, I obtained a two-yearmy MSc work, they were primarily my post-doctoral fellowship at the Northsupervisor’s writing efforts. After the West University, Potchefstroom, Southscience writing course in 2013, I tackled Africa. I was recently promoted tomy PhD thesis, concluded the degree the position of a principal researchprogram in 2014, and have published officer, which automatically conferredsix papers from my PhD thesis in both me a leadership role as head of thenational and international journals and consultancy unit.conference proceedings. Additionally, Iwas nominated for a National University I have been awarded two grants—aCommission Scholarship Award. conference and a research grant— and my professional visibility hasOluwatosin Gbemisola greatly increased. I have beenOladipo, 2013 Post- approached to be a reviewer for fiveMaster’s Fellow, Nigeria international journals. My research work has identified 10 microbialI applied for the AWARD Fellowship, species effective at tolerating heavyin 2012, with little idea of just how metal contamination in soil, and howdramatically transforming the to naturally correct degraded minedexperience would be. At the time, soils for improved fertility and cropI was working as a senior research productivity.officer and was also a PhD student.I had no leadership and mentoring By applying the gender-skills, was poor at networking and had responsiveness approaches learnedonly a few publications to my name. through the AWARD program, IAdditionally, I did not have great actively participated in the formulationvisibility as a professional and was in of a gender policy for my institution.few professional associations. I am currently mentoring younger female scientists in my field, one of whom is almost completing her PhD studies. 59

60 FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWS

Adeola Oluwafunmiso Mavis Owureku-Asare, FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWSOlajide, 2014 Post- 2013 Post-Master’s Fellow,Doctoral Fellow, Nigeria GhanaThrough the AWARD Fellowship, Since enrolling with the AWARDI have been motivated to critically Fellowship, I have attained significantthink about my career and how to go milestones in my career,such asabout achieving my career objectives. developing research and science skills,I found the career development plan as well as leadership and interpersonala particularly useful tool for this. skills.I am glad that with my mentor’ssupport, I have been able to make I enrolled for my PhD studies, andprogress in specific areas. Thanks also got the opportunity to improveto the fellowship, I improved my my research data analysis capabilitiesscience skills, and learnt how to use by taking part in a short Statisticaltwo new analysis models: the Probit Package for Social Scientists courseModel and the Policy Analysis Matrix. organized by AWARD. Additionally,I am also training my students on I won a slot in the Advance Sciencehow to use the Statistical Package Training placement, which enhancedfor Social Science for data analysis. I my scientific skills. My goal was tohave prepared a number of scientific have three scientific papers publishedpapers, three were published, and in peer-reviewed journals. I haveanother three were accepted for superseded this goal by having ninefuture publication. research papers published.I also prepared three conference As a result of the proposal writingpapers and presented one while my training, I was able to write fourstudents, as part of their mentorship collaborative research proposalsand capacity building exercises, with partners from Washington Statepresented the other two. University, Louisiana States University and other institutions in Ghana. AfterApplying the grant proposal writing the gender-responsiveness trainingskills, I have written four funding by AWARD, I set up a consultancy—proposals on food security and Kasmalink Consult—to help womenclimate change, two with international agro-processors, entrepreneurs andnetworks in Australia presented to cooperatives to obtain processingthe Australian Government, and the services.other two with my faculty colleagues,and presented to the Nigerian During the course of my fellowship,Government. I represented AWARD on the CARE International Panel on Women in Agriculture. Additionally, I took part in the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association 61

FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWS Conference in Cape Town, South Africa scientists with these useful skills. I am in 2014, where I played various roles currently collaborating with colleagues including: judging the student case to obtain funding from AuthorAid in studies, co-moderating a symposium, order to conduct similar training. and making two presentations—one was a poster and the other a paper. I have greatly improved my interpersonal skills, and unleashed the Margaret Owusu, 2013 management and leadership potential Post-Doctoral Fellow, I had within me after attending an Ghana intensive two-day leadership and management program sponsored At the start of my AWARD Fellowship, by my institute, in addition to I purposed to use my technical attending the AWARD Leadership expertise together with my initiative, and Management Course. I have creativity and managerial skills to been elected as the treasurer of empower female cocoa farmers to the Southern Sector Research Staff improve their yields and incomes in Association of the CSIR, Ghana, order to ensure food security. further exercising my leadership potential while enhancing my I have since been promoted at work, professional network. I have also and now head my division and will become more assertive and more soon be appointed senior research confident in negotiations. scientist. I have been able to apply the science I have obtained statistical analysis writing skills acquired and increase skills through an AWARD sponsored my publication output by five journal training at the renowned African articles and two technical reports. Doctoral Academy Winter School, My visibility has vastly improved, after winning a place in the AWARD and I have engaged in international AST attachment. My writing skills have consultancies including one in which also improved significantly following I was a resource person in a training a seven-week course on scientific program for scientists and technicians and proposal writing sponsored by from seven African countries at the AuthorAid and the International African Rice Centre in Cotonou, Network for the Availability of Benin. Together with my mentor, I am Scientific Publications where I also currently working as a post-doctoral received a certificate as a trainer. scientist on a DANIDA-funded project I intend to train younger research titled Green Growth.62

Edna Ekua Quansah, 2014 Ifeyinwa Christy Uramah, FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWSPost-Bachelor’s Fellow, 2014 Post-Bachelor’sGhana Fellow, NigeriaI personally believe that academia When I began my fellowship, mycannot thrive without research. It goals were to secure admission tois for this reason that I welcomed pursue a higher degree in agriculturalthe opportunity to participate in sciences, to expand the reach of thethe AWARD Fellowship to help Green Generation School Programme craft my career goals so as to (an initiative organized for thebecome effective in both research development of agriculture amongand academia. I am interested in young people in Nigeria), and touplifting the livelihoods of female fish contribute to the improvement ofprocessors in Ghana by empowering farmers’ livelihoods as a supply chainthem with skills and competencies in associate. So far I have securedappropriate technologies. admission to undertake a Master of Business Administration course inMy journey began while I was agribusiness at the Federal Universitystill a student and I set myself an of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.ambitious career goal: to become achief researcher as well as a senior Thanks to the negotiation skillslecturer. So far, I am well on my way that I acquired during the AWARDto becoming both. I successfully training, I successfully coordinatedcompleted my Master of Philosophy a memorandum of understandingstudies and graduated in July 2015. agreement in April 2014 with a storageI have been appointed as a teaching bag manufacturing company to supplyassistant in the Department of bags to smallholder farmers at factoryMarine and Fisheries Sciences at the cost to increase their accessibility. InUniversity of Ghana. I have worked June 2014, I facilitated microfinanceclosely with my AWARD Mentor who access to the tune of 10 million Nairahas spurred me on in this journey. (about US$60,000) for 100 smallholder farmers to assist them strengthen theirThanks to improving my negotiation capacity to increase their production.and networking skills, I have been This was negotiated as a zero-able to achieve greater professional guarantee loan to the farmers with aimpact and increased the number of 40 percent rebate on interest ratesprofessional engagements. Currently, back to the farmers if repaymentsI am a member of five professional were completed as scheduled. Inbodies—four international and one October and November 2014, Inational and this has helped me trained farmers on meeting industryimprove my visibility. quality standards for various produce. To expand the Green Generation Program, I applied for and won a 63

US$50,000 grant from the International I am grateful to have been trained and Development Research Centre, mentored by AWARD. I look forward which will expand the program to to doing my part through training and 100 schools in southwestern Nigeria, mentoring young agricultural women with 100 schools added to the scientists to increase the impacts of program annually. This was thanks to agricultural development in Africa. the AWARD proposal writing skills training.FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWS64

Southern Africa at a glanceNumber of AWARD Fellowsby countryCountry pB pM pD Total 15Malawi 36 32 01 6Mozambique 12 12 00 4Zambia 20 11 00Total 68 55 01 25Grand Total 14 10 1 2013 2014 FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWSZambia Malawi 4 15 pB 2 pB 9 pM 2 pM 5 pD 0 pD 1 Mozambique 6 pB 3 pM 3 pD 0 65

Southern Africa Fellows’ JourneysFROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWS Chapwa Kasoma, 2014 applications. Her curiosity about post-Master’s AWARD agriculture was sparked. Although she Fellow, Zambia went on to graduate with a bachelor’s in molecular biology and genetics, Chapwa Kasoma will be the first to and land a job in the pharmaceutical admit that she never fancied herself industry, she longed to apply as pursuing a career in agriculture; in the biotechnology knowledge to fact she wanted to study medicine and agriculture; which prompted her to even joined university to study natural enroll for a master’s course in plant sciences in preparation. However, breeding and seed systems at the today, she is a champion who University of Zambia. Here, she got a encourages young people to pursue deeper understanding of the issues careers in field-based agriculture, and in agriculture that affect smallholder will not leave her Wellington boots farmers’ productivity such as poor behind when going into the fields! seed quality, and resolved to do her part to make a difference. She is currently working as a Field During her master’s studies she faced Production Supervisor at DuPont a major challenge when it came to Pioneer in the Integrated Operations conducting her research: she had Department based in Mkushi, central been accepted for the course without Zambia. Her responsibilities include a scholarship and would therefore supervision of seed growers and field need independent funding for the workers to ensure that they produce research. Additionally, her research the best possible quality seed involved combining both conventional that conforms to DuPont Pioneer’s and biotechnology approaches. She international standards to make was advised to abandon her idea farming profitable for smallholder since she did not have the required farmers. This is no easy task, and experience in biotechnology and this one which calls for a perfect balance kind of research in Zambia was very of leadership, technical know-how, expensive, but she was undeterred. communication, and management A chance meeting with Greenford skills. Before going through the Mchelenganga, a senior researcher AWARD Fellowship she would never who worked at the National Institute have applied for such a position; for Scientific and Industrial Research being the youngest child in her home, (NISIR) in Zambia, opened up the she was laid back and did not consider possibility of conducting her research herself a leader. at the Biotechnology Laboratory there. With nothing to lose she At university, while studying biological approached the NISIR Executive sciences, she got an introduction Director, Professor Francis Tembo, to to biotechnology and its myriad66

enquire about a new biotechnology seemed exciting and full of possibility. FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWSlaboratory at the institute and whether She put in her application, and duringshe could use it for her research. He the interview she employed all theoffered her an opportunity to intern at skills and techniques she had learntthe NISIR to learn about the practical during the AWARD Fellowship trainingside of biotechnology. She worked to ensure she stood out as a topat the newly set-up National DNA candidate. She was thrilled to receiveLaboratory for five months without any a job offer.results. When she had reached herbreaking point, one of her supervisors, Being in the fellowship program hasDr. Munyinda Kalaluka (lecturer at the been transformative for her: she isUniversity of Zambia), introduced her no longer shy and laid back. She isto scientists at ICRISAT and arranged now more confident, and can expressfor her to work at ICRISAT in Kenya herself better. She has discovered theunder the supervision of Dr. Santie De leader within her. She also appliesVilliers. Dr. Villiers helped Kasoma to the gender lens in her work as shecomplete her research which involved strives to empower the women fieldtapping into the genetic biodiversity workers and seed technicians whomwithin sorghum to identify variants she supervises. She encourages themwith high sugar content for generating to see themselves as leaders too, andbiofuel. This experience revealed a already this is bearing fruit as someprofound resilience that she did not women have been put in charge of theknow she had and it gets sharpened field teams comprising both men andwith each challenge she encounters. women. The fellowship has given her the chance to improve her scientificHer journey with the AWARD skills and to take her mentorshipFellowship program began when activities a notch higher.she first heard about it from a friend.She looked it up and found that its After going through the AWARDmission fit in very well with her own Science Skills Course, she wascareer aspirations. At that point she inspired to retrieve her MScwas exploring career options after thesis and to extract a scientificcompleting her master’s. She applied paper from it. She presented thisfor the fellowship and succeeded paper titled ‘Microsatellite Markeron her second attempt in 2013. Application in the Assessment ofShe is grateful to AWARD since this Sorghum Genetic Diversity’ duringfellowship enabled her to articulate the International Conference onher desire to work in an international Advances in Agricultural, Biological &agriculture company, and prepare a Environmental Sciences in July 2015.career development plan to achieve It has since been published in thethis. Six months after she wrote this conference proceedings. She plansgoal down, she came across a job to publish many more, as she worksopening at DuPont Pioneer which towards her other goal of obtaining a doctorate. 67

FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWS Her current research, which is part and related concepts. The reader of the AWARD Advanced Science feedback has been positive and Training is focusing on groundnut rust encouraging. She also organizes resistance, where she is working under regular career talks to encourage the supervision of Dr. Damaris Odeny, young people to view agriculture a seasoned molecular scientist from positively. Together with Ridden ICRISAT and an expert in Genomics. Hamvumba, a DuPont Pioneer Moreover, Dr. Odeny too was an colleague, they are mentoring and AWARD Fellow from 2010-2011 which coaching young people studying at makes this collaboration more special. college to choose agricultural fields. In their USAID-funded project, they are using advanced tools to find Lucia Victoria Chigamane, resistance to the groundnut leaf rust 2014 Post-Bachelor’s disease—one of the most disastrous Fellow, Malawi groundnut diseases found in Zambia. Through the fellowship, she has joined Through the fellowship program, I the Agronomy Society of America, the have been encouraged to take charge Crop Science Society of America and of my career through planning and the Soil Science Society of America, all being intentional about what I want to of which offer her further networking achieve. opportunities as an early career scientist. Following interactions with my mentor, Dr. Grace Muhango who is a senior She regularly contributes to a scientist, I was motivated to complete biotechnology column in the Zambian Farmer magazine aimed at sensitizing the general public on biotechnology “Chapwa is very courageous and she contributes confidently to a wide array of business discussions making good use of her higher education which places her above her peers. Additionally, she articulates her technical capacity very well, especially as she discharges her duties in a male-dominated farming community. In fact most farmers and seed growers take great note of her technical skills. She makes sure she is engaged and visible during crucial public engagements, unlike many women, and she has earned praise from many of our international visitors for this.“ Munyaradzi Mutsvairo, DuPont Pioneer, Commercial Lead, Zambia68

the research for my Master of Science Ana Lidia Gungulo, 2014 FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWSdegree. Through the AWARD Science Post-Master’s Fellow,Skills Course, I acquired vital skills in Mozambiqueresearch planning and collaborationwhich helped me get out of the maze Before I got into the fellowship, II found myself in, while undertaking struggled with doing everything onmy research work. Additionally, I am my own, which often left me feelingregularly requested to train research frustrated, drained, and despondent.assistants in research protocol and As I struggled to juggle my heavyethics, sampling, quality control and workload, my mentor pointed outreport writing. the importance of delegation. This was so empowering and liberatingThanks to my newly acquired public as it allowed me to do so much morespeaking skills, my confidence has by assigning less important tasks toincreased and as a result I have been others.entrusted with attending high-levelconsultative meetings with senior I am certainly more hopeful, confidentgovernment officials, and I’m now and assertive, thanks to the program.more active in staff meetings. My mentor, Dr. Rafael Uiaene, has guided my growth from academics toMy professional networks have grown an upcoming professional.since I joined the AWARD Fellowshipprogram, having joined the American I have since learned how to improveCrops and Soil Science Society, the my data analysis skills through aYoung Professionals in Agriculture course on how to clean data using aResearch and Development, and the software known as STATA. The courseSoil Health Consortium of Malawi, was organized by Dr. Uiaene andwhere I participate in some of their fully funded by the Michigan Stateactivities such as webinars and University working in Mozambique.conferences. Attending this training was part of my career development plan. I am nowI have found that mentoring a junior conducting research on screeningscientist has a boomerang effect, such and promotion of Striga tolerantthat when I encourage my AWARD maize varieties with colleagues fromFellow Mentee to pursue her dreams, the National Agricultural ResearchI am also reminded about my own Institute. This is under the auspices ofambitions that motivate both of us. the World Bank-supported Agriculture Productivity Program for Southern Africa in Manica, Mozambique. I will now use STATA in analysis of the household survey data gathered during this research. I plan to register for a PhD course in agricultural economics in 2016. 69

FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWS Margarida Graciete three secondary schools to pursue Simbine, 2013 Post- careers in agricultural research and Master’s Fellow, development. Mozambique Recently, I was awarded a scholarship Working at CARE International as the to pursue a PhD course in agricultural project manager for the Adaptation technology at Tshwane University Learning Program, a project that of Technology in South Africa. I am seeks to increase the capacity of thankful to the AWARD team for vulnerable households to adapt to helping me realize my potential as an climate change, I lead a team of five African professional in agriculture. and was responsible for all the activities of the project: training, reporting, and Nellie Titani Amosi, 2014 gathering and documenting lessons on Post-Bachelor’s Fellow, adaptation. Through my work, I have Malawi written four scientific articles, two of which have been published. I have also Since becoming an AWARD Fellow, attended five international conferences my confidence has grown and my in which I presented the findings of my professional visibility increased. I master’s research, as well as the lessons currently represent my organization, and experience from my program. the World Agroforestry Centre, at the Sustainable Agri-Business Initiative, I can attribute my achievements to which promotes growth and improves my participation in the fellowship public-private cooperation. My stature program, where I benefited from within my organization has grown, diverse training courses, comprising leading to my election as secretary of the AWARD Mentoring Orientation the social welfare committee. Workshop, the AWARD Leadership Skills Course and the AWARD Women’s My networks and collaborative Leadership and Management Course. activities have increased too, a Additionally, the AWARD Advanced highlight of which has been publishing Science Training placement taught me as a co-author with a senior scientist more on my current field of work and from my organization’s headquarters broadened my professional network. in Nairobi. Through memberships in professional associations, I acquire the latest As an AWARD Fellow, I have joined scientific knowledge in the field. two professional associations: the Organization for Women in Science Working with my AWARD Fellow for the Development World and Mentee has also enabled me to gain IUFOR, which have expanded my experience as a mentor, and to share professional network. the knowledge and skills acquired during the fellowship. From this, I inspired young women and men from70

In 2015, I presented my work to (NEPAD) in order to influence policy. FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWSdelegates at two global conferences Thanks to my experience so far as anin India and the United Kingdom, AWARD Fellow, I know that this loftyand in July I presented a paper at the dream is achievable with the rightEuropean Conference on Sustainability, training, strategic networks and sheerEnergy, and Environment. hard work.I put the leadership and international The self-confidence that I haveskills I gained at AWARD to use acquired through the AWARDby mentoring an intern within my Fellowship’s training programs hasorganization. My mentee has since been quite empowering. Additionally,found a better job. I collaborated with through networking with leadinga colleague, who is a senior official scientists in my field—men andat the National Smallholder Farmers women—I have gained insightsAssociation and my mentee to that have enabled me to designconduct my role-modeling event. initiatives in fingerling production, feed manufacturing and marketingMphatso Edda Chapotera, that I have rolled out to the farming2014 Post-Master’s Fellow, communities I work with. TheseMalawi are helping them improve the sustainability and profitability of theAt the start of my fellowship, I set fish farming enterprises.out to make my research on climatechange more gender-responsive. To Madalitso Zelda Chidumu,date, I have increasingly incorporated 2014 Post-Bachelor’sgender-responsive approaches in my Fellow, Malawiwork and research, resulting in twopublications in international peer- Joining AWARD’s Fellowship Programreviewed journals as a main author in has been the best thing that has everone, and co-author in the other. happened to me. It has unlocked my future and opened doors for me toThe confidence I gained from the have greater impact in my communityAWARD training helped me get and country. When I became ana new job with an international AWARD Fellow, my ultimate goal wasnon-governmental organization to become a director so that I couldas a capacity development officer make decisions that would enhance themanaging capacity building activities livelihoods of women and young girls.at community level. I anticipated that it would take sevenMy dream is to hold a key position years to climb the ladder to this level.at either the World Bank or the New In just one year of being an AWARDPartnership for African Development Fellow, I have achieved what I set out to attain in seven years. I am 71

FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWS the founder and director of a social Caroline Kamanga enterprise that acts as a center Sibusisiwe, 2013 Post- for agribusiness incubation, girls’ Master’s Fellow, Malawi empowerment, and environmental sustainability. When I joined the fellowship program, I had just completed my master’s degree Because of the AWARD Proposal and was looking for a job. Through my Writing Course, I wrote a proposal AWARD Mentor’s networks, I found to the Google-funded Women one. I have in turn mentored other Enhancing Technology (WeTech), and junior researchers who have gone on to was the first person in Malawi to be win the AWARD Fellowship or become awarded a grant from this fund. This mentees. ICT for Development project enables young female university students to My professional networks have grown, be trained and mentored in computer allowing for collaboration with regional software skills that enable them to use soil scientists. Through AWARD I scientific data to enhance agricultural joined three international professional research for development. associations in my field. I have since presented my research at one of my I successfully enrolled for a Master society’s international conferences, of Business Administration degree and the paper will be published in an to enhance my marketing skills, an international peer-reviewed journal. I integral part of agribusiness. was also selected to attend the World Food Prize in the U.S.A. through my I gained presentation skills from the Borlaug Fellowship network. AWARD Women’s Leadership and Management Course, enabling me Through AWARD, I got a chance to to present a paper at an international participate in the AST attachment at conference in India where I received the International Center for Tropical a certificate for having the best Agriculture (CIAT) in Nairobi, Kenya. presentation. I am a life member of I am applying the skills I learnt in the Agricultural Extension Institute in my current research which entails India, a rare opportunity offered to improving soil fertility and reducing gas very few. emissions using biochar in conservation agriculture. Because of my work with youth, I To give back, I conducted a role- participated in the Young African modeling event at a secondary school Leaders Initiative, a flagship program and motivated young girls to take up of the United States President, Barrack agricultural science as a career. Obama.72

Bettie Sindi Kawonga, I published one article in an FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWS2014 Post-Master’s Fellow, international journal on my country’sMalawi dairy industry, and presented a paper on cow cooling investment analysisI have achieved a great deal in the at the American Dairy Associationshort time I have been an AWARD meeting in Orlando, Florida in July.Fellow. In fundraising, I successfullyapplied for a Borlaug Higher I successfully conducted role-modelingEducation in Agricultural Research events in 11 secondary schools in myand Development (BHEARD) PhD country.Scholarship and enrolled at theUniversity of Kentucky, U.S.A. Of the Rosalina Mahanzule, 2014seven proposals I have submitted, Post-Master’s Fellow,three have been funded, totaling MozambiqueUS$450,000 under the WorldBank, Norwegian Government and Since I became an AWARD Fellow,World Food Prize, Tony Blair Africa I have made great progress in myGovernance Initiative, and the Howard research work, my scientific andG. Buffett Foundation. Collaborators interpersonal skills, and in my career.on these projects include the national On the research front, I publishedgovernment, research centers, and an a working paper on the Michiganinternational non-profit organization. University State website on theMy mentor and I conducted charcoal value chain in my country.a consultancy for the national My abstract on the same researchsmallholder farmers association in submitted to the World Forestrymy country and produced a goat- Congress was approved, and I willtraining manual for field staff. I am also present a paper at this internationala consultant for the U.K. Institution conference in September 2015 in SouthReview Board. Africa.Through AWARD, I got the I was also involved in conductingopportunity to grow my networks research under the Building a Largeand enhance my visibility through Ever Green Agriculture Network inmembership in one regional, and two Southern Africa and presented theinternational professional associations. results in a workshop at my institution. IThis has led to my participation in am writing a study proposal on the usetwo international dairy conferences, of bamboo for charcoal production.namely, The Chicago Council’sGlobal Food Security Symposium in My professional visibility and networksWashington, DC in April 2015 and have grown immensely since joiningBHEARD Symposium in May 2015. the fellowship. I am a member 73

FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWS of two international professional on Malawi’s forest status at an associations. In November 2014, I was international conference in Japan. I invited to participate in the academic have also made several presentations symposium for African research on at various national forums. As my food and agriculture in South Africa. professional networks have grown, My presence at this meeting gave so has my visibility, resulting in an me the opportunity to expand my increase in the number of people and network further. I was also assigned organizations that I collaborate with. the responsibility of forming a team to In giving back, I am mentoring several create a research council in my country. junior researchers at my institution and within my networks. I can truly say that the AWARD Fellowship has significantly improved Annie Mwayi Mapulanga, both my science and interpersonal 2013 Post-Bachelor’s skills, and I feel more confident than Fellow, Malawi before. I am also working on improving my English language skills. Gloria Makhambera, 2014 Prior to joining the AWARD Fellowship Post-Bachelor’s Fellow, program, I had low self-esteem, Malawi having lost interest in my own career development. It was during I joined the AWARD Fellowship the AWARD Mentoring Orientation program with a bachelor’s degree, and Workshop that I found renewed have now attained a master’s degree motivation and inspiration to restart my in soil science. From my thesis, I have career progression. I was determined developed three manuscripts with to focus on achieving my career the help of my mentor, Dr. Elizabeth goals while creating impact on rural Bandason and I hope to publish my smallholder women farmers and first peer-reviewed article in 2015. aspiring girls. I have focused my research on In setting my career and research conservation agriculture with trees goals, I highlighted my ambition to that have promising results on food work for an international organization production and livelihoods. Through as director and research economist. my research, I have also been involved Today, I feel like I have moved closer to in promoting conservation agriculture my goal. In June 2013, I got a new job technology to smallholder farmers. as an economist. So far, I have applied for three scholarships and enrolled for Thanks to the Science Skills Course a master’s degree at the University of and Leadership Skills Course, I have Nairobi, Kenya. I have also written two been invited to make a presentation development proposals, one of which was successful. I am looking forward74

to receiving funding for a research within my institution as a result of FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWSproposal submitted to the African representing it at local and nationalClimate Change Program Fellowship. meetings.My confidence was boosted with The Science Skills Course helpedinspiration from the rallying call at me develop a winning proposal onthe AWARD Mentoring Orientation improved bean and cowpea varietiesWorkshop, “…to feel the fear but do that will boost their productivity andit anyway…” I take every opportunity improve the livelihoods of smallholderto contribute and make presentations farmers. I am now collaborating moreat work to improve my public speaking with my contemporaries and haveskills. grown my professional network by joining international professionalThe relationship I have with my mentor associations.has helped me realize opportunitiesaround me, enhanced my capacity I am mentoring a junior researcherwhen conducting research, and and helping her pursue and realizepromoted learning. In turn, I am her own career goals. At the role-mentoring a junior researcher achieve modeling event I conducted, 130her career and research goals. This people participated, mostly girlshas made me develop a passion to and women and this gave me thementor more young girls and junior opportunity to encourage participantsresearchers. to pursue careers in agricultural research. This role-modeling eventMy visibility and networks have enhanced my visibility within mygrown, and I am now member of two community.professional international associations.My abstract to one of the professional Kitty Mngoli, 2013 Post-associations has been accepted Bachelor’s Fellow, Malawifor a presentation at an upcomingconference. At the start of the AWARD Fellowship, I had just completed my bachelor’sJuliet Chikopela Mataa, degree. With renewed confidence2013 Post-Bachelor’s and sense of purpose gained fromFellow, Zambia the Mentoring Orientation Workshop, I applied for and got a job as a chiefMy career has grown tremendously technician in the food microbiologysince I became an AWARD Fellow. I laboratory of a national university.successfully completed my master’s The science skills that I learnedstudies. I am also more visible through the fellowship enabled me to confidently help students conduct their research and analyze their data. 75

76 FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWS

I have published my first peer-reviewed I have acquired new skills in thearticle in the African Journal of areas of scientific writing, leadershipMicrobiology Research. This has given and management, proposal writing,me confidence in my work and I plan decision-making, networking, publicon publishing many more scientific speaking, and mentoring.articles.The Leadership Skills Course Amenye Mulwafu-Banda, FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWShas improved my assertiveness, 2014 Post-Bachelor’sconfidence, and presentation skills. I Fellow, Malawinow consistently network with otherprofessionals in the food science Before the joining the fellowship, I letfield. In turn, I am mentoring a junior many opportunities pass me by dueresearcher by imparting the skills to my lack of interest and low self-I have learned through AWARD. I esteem. However, six months after theplan to further my education and Mentoring Orientation Workshop, Imy career thanks to the motivation accepted the request by my supervisorand inspiration I have received as an to make a presentation at a high-AWARD Fellow. level stakeholders’ meeting. Drawing inspiration from the training that I hadLoveness Msofi, 2013 Post- received, I accepted the responsibility.Master’s Fellow, Malawi My presentation was recognized as one of the best.Since becoming an AWARD Fellow, Ihave achieved a number of goals and Nine months into the AWARDcontinue to see my career flourish. I Fellowship, I got a new job as a seniorrecently took on a lecturing role at a monitoring and evaluation specialistnational university here in Malawi, thus with an international non-profitachieving a step towards achieving the organization, working on a project thattargets I set in my career development supports 45 local community groupsplan. to address matters on climate change, health, and nutrition. This position isIn the area of research, I have very challenging and has increased mymanaged to conduct three projects in professional networks and visibility.the area of gender and agriculture, andsubmitted two papers to international In the course of my fellowship, I wasand local journals for publication. My called upon to conduct an introductorywork has been published in conference session on proposal development toproceedings and abstracts following 12 local community groups. Duringpresentations at three international this training, I imparted the skillsand one local conference. I had learned during the AWARD Science Skills Course. I am now able 77

to demonstrate my leadership skills more and have grown my networks since I confidently, and this has earned me became an AWARD Fellow, thanks to recognition and promotion to the senior memberships in three international management team within my organization. professional associations. Before becoming a fellow, I did not think it The leadership skills I learned have was possible to attain all these goals within increased my confidence and visibility. a year. I am grateful for the confidence At a seminar on regional economic boost, skills and visibility that the AWARD cooperation in China, I was selected Fellowship provides. to deliver the opening speech. Prior to becoming a fellow, this is something I Maggie Golie Munthali, 2013 was incapable of doing. As part of my Post-Master’s Fellow, Malawi outreach activity, I have conducted a role-modeling event at a primary school that had more than 1,200 participants.FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWS I had just completed my master’s degree when I become an AWARD Fellow. I have Marian Lupapula Mwanza, since been promoted to a higher position within my institution and made significant 2013 Post-Bachelor’s strides towards getting a doctorate. This Fellow, Zambia was one of the targets I set for myself in my career development plan. Before I won the AWARD Fellowship, The AWARD Science Skills Course I did not have any motivation to grow was a game-changer for me. Armed my career. I had developed a bad with this new knowledge, I have gone attitude towards my work and was on to win a placement on the AWARD dissatisfied with my job. Soon after I Advanced Science Training, and my attended the Mentoring Orientation research placement was at CIAT in Workshop, I was motivated to apply Kenya. During my attachment at CIAT, I for another job within my institution. developed my PhD proposal that earned I currently head a team of eight and me an admission at three international coordinate all our satellite offices. I am universities. Consequently, with the same more visible within the organization, proposal, I was awarded an Organization participate in meetings with senior for Women in Science for the Developing members of staff, and have been World Fellowship to pursue my PhD at the recommended for promotion to a University of Pretoria. I also developed senior officer position in less than a year. a successful proposal for a Borlaug Fellowship, which will commence in Being a fellow has motivated me to September 2015, in U.S.A. apply for readmission to my master’s I have published two papers in degree program, which I had earlier international peer-reviewed journals abandoned due to my lack of motivation.78

My professional network at my I am mentoring students within my FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWSinstitution has grown tremendously by institution and two junior womenjoining an international professional researchers. I have also conducted a role-association augmented by local as modeling event for secondary students,well as international work travel. encouraging them to take up agricultural science subjects during the course ofSonia Ines Naidoo, 2013 their studies.Post-Bachelor’s Fellow,Mozambique Sharon Ngonde Ndandula, 2013 Post-Master’s Fellow,I have achieved so much in my career Zambiaand research since becoming anAWARD Fellow. My first target was to Being selected as one of Africa’s bestcomplete my master’s degree, and I women researchers was the startingachieved this in in April 2015. point of my ‘metamorphosis’. A rebirth into a powerful, visible, and resourcefulI submitted a paper to an international professional occurred. It was excitingjournal and have made a total of to see that I am progressing to thatfive scientific presentations at four position where I will achieve my goals inscience symposia and at a national accordance to my career developmentprofessional association conference plan. A few months into the AWARDin 2014. Thanks to the skills I obtained Fellowship, I acquired a senior positionfrom the AWARD trainings, I won albeit in a different organization.second prize for the best presentation,and my master’s research presentation At the various meetings I have attended,was voted the best at one of the I have ensured that I have interacted withconferences. other delegates and built professional networks that prove beneficial to myWith my growing profile, I have work. The AWARD Leadership Skillsreceived coverage from the local Course was also very instrumental as itmedia in my country. I participated made me a better team leader.in a meeting organized by AWARDFellows to advocate for the visibility I have learnt new skills—both scientificof researchers and scientists in and interpersonal, which enable meMozambique. My research networks to excel at my tasks. Working withhave increased to include other sweet schools in rural Zambia, I have sharedpotato research groups in my country, the knowledge gained from AWARDas well as regional and international with girls and young women as a way ofpeers. encouraging them to strive for a better 79

FROM LAB TO FARM | TRACING THE JOURNEYS OF THE 2013 AND 2014 AWARD FELLOWS life. Through my role-modeling event, I After attending the Leadership shared with the girls the importance of Skills Course, I used newly acquired education as well as gaining an interest in communication, conflict management, science-related subjects to enable them and negotiation strategies in order become future scientists who will solve to reclaim my first author status on a their communities’ problems. research paper that I had earlier been denied. I also had the opportunity I came to AWARD a timid girl who was to work at a new section within my unsure of herself. Through the fellowship, institution. Because of my increased I am proud to say I have become more leadership capacity, I have been confident, assertive and ready to make promoted to training coordinator of a difference in the lives of those around this newly established fruit center me. I am not there yet, but I will continue section. setting my goals and striving to attain my dreams for all the women and girls in As the training coordinator, I lead Africa. This is only the beginning. two international collaboration projects. One is in the area of fruit N’sira Aurea Sylla, 2014 processing and the other in cashew Post-Bachelor’s Fellow, nut processing. Mozambique I am now a member of an international Through the AWARD Fellowship, I was professional network. This has given able to develop and apply presentation me access to resources that support and communications skills when sharing my day-to-day tasks, and has offered my ideas. This helped me to bring me the opportunity to participate in out hidden talents like being a master seminars on banana research. of ceremonies during an event at my institution. Learning to give constructive feedback has allowed me to improve my working relationship with my colleagues.80



AWARD is a catalyst for innovations with high potentialto contribute to the prosperity and well-being of Africansmallholder farmers. We equip top women agriculturalscientists across sub-Saharan Africa to accelerateagricultural gains by strengthening their research andleadership skills.AWARD is generously supported by the Bill & MelindaGates Foundation, USAID, Agropolis Fondation, and theAlliance for a Green Revolution in Africa.For more information, visit www.awardfellowships.orgHosted by the World Agroforestry CentreU nited Nations Avenue, GigiriP.O. Box 30677-00100 Nairobi, Kenya+254 (0) 20 722 4141Email: [email protected]www.awardfellowships.org