Florence Wambugu
Encyclopedia
Florence Muringi Wambugu (born August 23, 1953) is a plant pathologist and virologist. She is known for her advocacy of using biotechnology
to increase food production in Africa.
, Kenya. Three years later, she received her Bachelor of Science
in botany and zoology from the same university. She obtained her Master of Science
in pathology from North Dakota State University
, Fargo, ND, USA in 1984; and her PhD from the University of Bath
, England in 1991.
She was also awarded an Honorary Degree (Doctor of Science) from the University of Bath in 2009.
She has published over 100 articles and co-authored various papers.
Previously, she served on several board of directors including the Private Sector Committee of the CGIAR, the United Nations
Millennium Development goals Hunger task force; she also was a member of the Executive Committee of Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA); the DuPont
Company Biotech Advisory Panel, USA; the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI, now called Bioversity International), and the African Biotechnology Stakeholders Forum (ABSF).
Currently, she is serving as a Council Member of the Japan Science and Technology in Society (STS) Forum; a Steering Committee Member of the European Action on Global Life Sciences (EAGLES); and a Science Board member of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Grand Challenge in Global Health.
, reported that the project had failed.
’s 1989 Crop Science Award for outstanding scientist of the year; International Potato Center
’s (CIP) Regional Research Award/Grant, 1989; Farmers Support Award, Pyrethrum Marketing Board of Kenya, 1990; recognized as an exemplary Ph.D. candidate, Virology Division of Horticultural Research International in England and KARI, 1991; Monsanto Company Outstanding Performance Award, 1992, 1993; first place medal winner, Global Development Network Awards, KARI Year 2000; World Bank
Global Development Network
Award in 2000 for successful introduction of the tissue-culture banana in Kenya; and Woman of the Year Award by the American Biographical Institute, 2002-03; and Woman of the Year by the Eve Magazine
.
One of the latest awards is the Yara Prize that Dr. Wambugu received in 2008 from the Norway-based Yara Foundation for her significant contribution to fight hunger and poverty in Africa.
Biotechnology
Biotechnology is a field of applied biology that involves the use of living organisms and bioprocesses in engineering, technology, medicine and other fields requiring bioproducts. Biotechnology also utilizes these products for manufacturing purpose...
to increase food production in Africa.
Education
In 1975, Wambugu became the first woman in Kenya to attend the University of NairobiUniversity of Nairobi
The University of Nairobi is the largest university in Kenya. Although its history as an educational institution goes back to 1956, it did not become an independent university until 1970 when the University of East Africa was split into three independent universities: Makerere University in...
, Kenya. Three years later, she received her Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in botany and zoology from the same university. She obtained her Master of Science
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
in pathology from North Dakota State University
North Dakota State University
North Dakota State University of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, more commonly known as North Dakota State University , is a public university in Fargo, North Dakota. NDSU has about 14,000 students and it is the largest university in North Dakota based on full time students and land size...
, Fargo, ND, USA in 1984; and her PhD from the University of Bath
University of Bath
The University of Bath is a campus university located in Bath, United Kingdom. It received its Royal Charter in 1966....
, England in 1991.
She was also awarded an Honorary Degree (Doctor of Science) from the University of Bath in 2009.
Professional career
Dr. Wambugu is the Founder, Director and the Chief Executive Officer of Africa Harvest Biotech Foundation International (AHBFI) since 1994. AHBFI is a nonprofit foundation with offices in Nairobi, Kenya, Johannesburg, South Africa, and Washington, D.C. Previously, she founded, established and worked as Africa Region Director, ISAAA – Afri-center, in Nairobi. From 1978 to 1991, she worked as a senior research officer (pathologist) and coordinator of plant biotechnology research at the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), Kenya. Thereafter (1991-1994), she was a post-doctoral fellow with Monsanto Company.She has published over 100 articles and co-authored various papers.
Previously, she served on several board of directors including the Private Sector Committee of the CGIAR, the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Millennium Development goals Hunger task force; she also was a member of the Executive Committee of Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA); the DuPont
DuPont
E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company , commonly referred to as DuPont, is an American chemical company that was founded in July 1802 as a gunpowder mill by Eleuthère Irénée du Pont. DuPont was the world's third largest chemical company based on market capitalization and ninth based on revenue in 2009...
Company Biotech Advisory Panel, USA; the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI, now called Bioversity International), and the African Biotechnology Stakeholders Forum (ABSF).
Currently, she is serving as a Council Member of the Japan Science and Technology in Society (STS) Forum; a Steering Committee Member of the European Action on Global Life Sciences (EAGLES); and a Science Board member of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Grand Challenge in Global Health.
GM Sweet Potato
Florence Wambugu was involved in a project to develop a genetically modified (GM) sweet potato. In February 2004, the science magazine, New ScientistNew Scientist
New Scientist is a weekly non-peer-reviewed English-language international science magazine, which since 1996 has also run a website, covering recent developments in science and technology for a general audience. Founded in 1956, it is published by Reed Business Information Ltd, a subsidiary of...
, reported that the project had failed.
Awards
Dr. Wambugu is the recipient of IITA's (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Nigeria) Award, 1981; KARIKari
Kari or KARI may refer to:* Kari or curry, a pan-Asian variety of spicy food* Kari or Sundaram Karivardhan, a legendary figure of Indian motorsports*Kari , a natural satellite of Saturn*Kari , a technique in shakuhachi music...
’s 1989 Crop Science Award for outstanding scientist of the year; International Potato Center
International Potato Center
The International Potato Center is a root and tuber research-for-development institution located in Lima, Peru...
’s (CIP) Regional Research Award/Grant, 1989; Farmers Support Award, Pyrethrum Marketing Board of Kenya, 1990; recognized as an exemplary Ph.D. candidate, Virology Division of Horticultural Research International in England and KARI, 1991; Monsanto Company Outstanding Performance Award, 1992, 1993; first place medal winner, Global Development Network Awards, KARI Year 2000; World Bank
World Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
Global Development Network
Global Development Network
The idea of a Global Development Network was conceived at a meeting organized by The World Bank in Washington in May 1997. Participants included the heads of GDN's regional network partners and representatives of various bilateral and multilateral organizations and academic associations including...
Award in 2000 for successful introduction of the tissue-culture banana in Kenya; and Woman of the Year Award by the American Biographical Institute, 2002-03; and Woman of the Year by the Eve Magazine
Eve (magazine)
Eve was a UK monthly women's magazine. Launched in 2001 by the BBC, it was sold to Haymarket Publishing in January 2005, who closed it in September 2008 after a relaunch in April that year.-References:...
.
One of the latest awards is the Yara Prize that Dr. Wambugu received in 2008 from the Norway-based Yara Foundation for her significant contribution to fight hunger and poverty in Africa.