Female Scientist Leading Research in Africa

      Women are underrepresented in STEM, with an average of 1 to 4 when compared to men. Many factors contribute to this, such as stereotypes and educational differences. These barriers apply to all women, but are significantly larger for women in Africa. Despite this, African women continue to push past the stigma and become seen in the field of STEM. It is important we recognize the women for their accomplishments and contributions to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. For this week's blog, we are recognizing some of the female scientists leading research in Africa. 

      Adidja Amani currently is the Deputy Director for Vaccination at the Ministry of Public Health. She also works as a consultant for many international organizations, such as the World Health Organization. Adidja earned her Master of Public Health and a certificate in public Management from the Virginia Commonwealth University, as well as a doctorate of medicine from the Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. With all of her involvement in health, she aims to strengthen the public-health workforce and works running vaccination programs at Cameroon’s public-health ministry. 

 

      Amina Ahmed El-Imam has earned her Bachelors’ and Masters’ degrees in Microbiology and a Ph.D in Life Sciences. She currently is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria; Teaching microbiology and leading research teams towards findings of renewable fuels and chemicals. In her research, Amina has (co-)supervised over sixty students’ research – her research findings have been published in national and international journals. All of her research has been cutting-edge in the field of industrial microbiology and bioprocessing. Amina has dedicated her career to research as well as educating young women and encouraging them that they can also make an impact in the STEM community. 

      Khady Sall is a molecular biologist at the Virtual University of Senegal in Dakar. Here, she helps guide students towards careers in biotechnology and artificial intelligence. At Senegal, she led a project in 2020 which focused on the production of face shields to protect against COVID-19. Khady finds importance in promoting careers for young women in STEM. She also founded a non-profit organization, Science Education Exchange for Sustainable Development, which promotes a STEM education, critical thinking, and scientific literacy for aspiring students in Senegal.

      Elizabeth Kimani-Murage is the Senior Research Scientist and Head of Maternal and Child WellBeing unit at the African Population and Health Research Center in Nairobi. She received her Masters Degree of Public Health, specializing in epidemiology and disease control, in 2004 from Moi University in Eldoret, Kenya. She also received a Bachelors' of Science degree in Environmental health, and a Bachelors of Laws degree with a special focus on human rights. Lastly, Elizabeth holds a PhD in Public health, specializing in nutrition. Her current work and research focus on malnutrition in Nairobi’s urban communities. Her goal is to create a food secure Nairobi. Elizabeth’s determination has led her to be seen on the Rockefeller Foundation’s announced Top 10 visionaries under its 2050 Food Systems Vision prize.