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Segenet Kelemu

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Segenet Kelemu
Born
Finote Selam, Ethiopia
NationalityEthiopian
Alma materAddis Ababa University, Ethiopia; Montana State University, Kansas State University, Cornell University, USA
Occupation(s)Director General, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe)
AwardsL'Oréal-UNESCO Awards for Women in Science (2014)

Segenet Kelemu is an Ethiopian scientist, noted for her research as a molecular plant pathologist, and outstanding scientific leadership. For close to three decades, Kelemu and her team's research has contributed to addressing agricultural constraints in Africa, Asia, Latin America and North America.

Since 2013, Dr Kelemu has been the Director General of the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology[1], Africa's only institute dedicated to research on insects and other arthropods. Previously, she was the Director of Biosciences eastern and central Africa (BecA); Vice President of Programs at the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), and Leader of Crop and Agroecosystem Health Management at the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT).

Dr Kelemu has received many international accolades including: the L'Oréal-UNESCO Awards for Women in Science in 2014; Fellow, TWAS − The World Academy of Sciences; honorary doctorate by Tel Aviv University, in May 2016; recognition as one of Forbes Africa top 100 most influential African women, in May 2014; mention as one of 10 most influential African women in agriculture by the Journal of Gender, Agriculture and Food Security (AgriGender Journal) and election as a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences. Her other honours include: CIAT’s Outstanding Senior Scientist Award; Friendship Award granted by the People’s Republic of China and the TWAS Prize for Agricultural Sciences, by TWAS, The World Academy of Sciences.

Early life

Segenet Kelemu was born in the town of Finote Selam[2] in Ethiopia. Her parents sent their daughters to school, where Dr Kelemu, though exuberant; prone to challenging and contradicting teachers, demonstrated self-determination and, above all, academic prowess. She was fortunate to have teachers who recognised and nurtured her potential.[3]

Like many other children in her village, Dr Kelemu was expected to help out with farming chores. Moreover, from an early age, she displayed a strong sense of responsibility, and as a result, her mother assigned her the task of selling farm produce in the market; certain that she would negotiate the best prices and keep the money safe. Thus, Dr Kelemu learnt the hard truths about agriculture: its back breaking labour − especially for women, as well challenges to productivity, which placed people in her community in a constant struggle to meet minimum households food needs; but amidst all, the sector's potential. As a result, she felt a calling to seek solutions for agricultural constraints. Therefore, though an all-round top grade student, Dr Kelemu decided to dedicate herself to science and agriculture.[3][4]

Education

Segenet Kelemu from "The Mind of the Universe" series

In 1974, Dr Kelemu became the first woman from her region to join Addis Ababa University – where she was one of five girls in a class of 200 – graduating, on top of her class, with a Bachelor's degree in 1979. She then proceeded to Montana State University USA, where she earned an MSc in plant pathology and genetics in 1985, before joining Kansas State University, for a PhD in molecular biology and plant pathology in 1989. Her PhD thesis was titled Molecular cloning and characterization of an avirulence gene from Xanthomonas campestris pv. oryzae. Kelemu undertook postdoctoral research on the molecular determinants of pathogenesis at Cornell University from 1989 to 1992.[4][5]

Career

Between 1992 and 2007, Dr Kelemu worked at the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Colombia, first as a Senior Scientist, and later Leader of Crop and Agroecosystem Health Management. Her research focused on elucidation of molecular determinants of host-pathogen interactions, development of novel plant disease control strategies including genetic engineering, biopesticides, pathogen population genetics and dynamics, endophytic microbes and their role in plant development. In August 2007, Dr Kelemu decided to return to Africa, determined to contribute her experience in applying cutting-edge science to developmental issues, towards resolving the continent's problem. She accepted a position as the Director of the Biosciences eastern and central Africa (BecA) Hub. Under her leadership, the BecA initiative was transformed from a contentious idea into a driving force that is changing the face of African biosciences. BecA’s research capacity, staff, facilities, funding, partners and training programs have expanded at an ever accelerating pace. She has assembled and inspired a scientific and technical team bound by a common passion for using science to enhance Africa’s biosciences development. In 2013, Kelemu joined the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) as Vice President for Programs for about a year. In November 2013, Kelemu became the Director General of the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology[6], Africa's only institution dedicated to research on insects and other arthropods, which is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. She is the fourth chief executive and the first woman to head the institution.[7][8][9]

Awards and recognitions

Year Award/recognition Details
2017 The Mind of the Universe[10] The Mind is an ideological cross media project. It will be the first open source TV series ever, providing the whole series for free to all countries in the world in order to ’spread knowledge’.[11]
2016 Honorary doctorate by Tel Aviv University, Israel[12] Over the past 50 years, Tel Aviv University has conferred honorary doctorates to remarkable figures in recognition of their professional and philanthropic contributions to society. Kelemu was honoured for pioneering role for women scientists in Africa; commitment in directing major efforts for the transformation of African agriculture; international acclaim as recipient of prestigious awards; service on advisory boards of key international institutions; and her support in the establishment of the Manna Center Program in Food Safety and Security of Tel Aviv University.
2016 Fellow, TWAS, The World Academy of Sciences TWAS Fellows consist of the developing world’s most prestigious scientists.
2014 L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards[3] The L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science programme recognises achievements and contributions of exceptional females across the globe, by awarding promising scientists with Fellowships to help further their research.
2014 Top 100 most influential African women list by Forbes Africa[3] Forbes is a global media company, focusing on business, investing, technology, entrepreneurship, leadership, and lifestyle.
2014 10 most influential African women in agriculture Awarded by the Journal of Gender, Agriculture and Food Security (AgriGender Journal)[13]
2014 Fellow, African Academy of Sciences The African Academy of Sciences fellowships is awarded to scientists who have excelled in their respective fields of expertise.
2011 TWAS Prize for Agricultural Sciences[14] The TWAS Prizes are awarded to individual scientists from developing countries in recognition of an outstanding contribution to scientific knowledge.
2006 Friendship Award granted by the People's Republic of China[3] The Award is the People's Republic of China's highest award for "foreign experts who have made outstanding contributions to the country's economic and social progress.
date Outstanding Scientist of the Year[15] Awarded by the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)

Advisory Boards

Date Board Details Designation
2017 Boris Mints Institute prize The prize, which started in 2017, will award USD 100,000 to an exceptional individual who has devoted their research and academic life to solving a strategic global challenge. Member, Evaluation Panel[16]
2016 National Science and Technology Council of Rwanda The National Science and Technology Council of Rwanda is the governing body of the country’s National Commission of Science and Technology (NCST) Member, of the 11 member Council, which was appointed by Rwanda’s Cabinet Meeting of 09 December 2016, chaired by the President of the Republic, His Excellency Paul Kagame.[17]
2016 United Nations University (UNU) UNU is an autonomous UN organisation that conducts research, postgraduate training and the dissemination of knowledge. Member, UNU Governing Council, at the invitation of United Nations Under Secretary General.[18]
2016 Rolex Awards for Enterprise The Rolex Awards honour individuals who have, or are, developing ground-breaking initiatives that have the potential to improve life on the planet. Member, eminent judging panel of the 2016 series of the Rolex Awards marked the 40th anniversary of this global philanthropic program.[19]
2015 L’Oreal-UNESCO Sub-Saharan for Women in Science Award Jury. The L'Oréal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science aims to improve the position of women in science by recognizing outstanding women researchers who have contributed to scientific progress. Juror[20]
2015 The Louis Malassis and Olam Prizes Jury Agropolis Fondation’s Louis Malassis International Scientific Prize is given once every two years. It aims to recognize individuals for their exemplary and promising contribution in promoting innovation through research, development and/or capacity building in order to improve food and agricultural systems sustainability as well as to address food security and poverty reduction. Juror[20]

Personal life

Kelemu is married to Dr. Arjan Gijsman and has a daughter named Finote Gijsman. They reside in Nairobi. She enjoys reading biographies.[21]

References

  1. ^ International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Retrieved 2017
  2. ^ "Interview with the Boss - BecA-ILRI hub". hub.africabiosciences.org. Retrieved 2017-09-30.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Chinese honour nudges scientist home". The East African. Retrieved 2017-09-14.
  4. ^ a b "Interview with the Boss - BecA-ILRI hub". hub.africabiosciences.org. Retrieved 2017-09-14.
  5. ^ "Dr Segenet Kelemu | icipe - International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology". www.icipe.org. Retrieved 2017-09-14.
  6. ^ International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Retrieved 2017
  7. ^ https://www.diretube.com/articles/read-ethiopian-scientist-appointed-4th-director-general-of-icipe_3439.html
  8. ^ "Ethiopian Scientist Appointed 4th Director General of icipe". Diretube. August 2013. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  9. ^ "Dr Segenet Kelemu | icipe - International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology". www.icipe.org. Retrieved 2017-09-21.
  10. ^ VPRO, The Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision &, Segenet Kelemu: Extra footage 1, retrieved 2017-09-14
  11. ^ VPRO, The Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision &. "Mind of the Universe". Retrieved 2017-09-14.
  12. ^ "Honorary Degrees - Honorary Degrees". www6.tau.ac.il. Retrieved 2017-09-21.
  13. ^ https://agrigenderjournal.com/2015/04/29/10-influential-african-women-in-agriculture/
  14. ^ "TWAS Announces 2011 Prize Winners". TWAS. Retrieved 2017-09-21.
  15. ^ http://www.icipe.org/about_team/governing-council/dr-segenet-kelemu-2
  16. ^ "icipe Director General appointed panel member of BMI prize | icipe - International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology". www.icipe.org. Retrieved 2017-09-21.
  17. ^ "Dr Segenet Kelemu, Director General and CEO of icipe appointed member of the National Science and Technology Council of Rwanda | icipe - International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology". www.icipe.org. Retrieved 2017-09-21.
  18. ^ "Dr Segenet Kelemu - United Nations University". unu.edu. Retrieved 2017-09-21.
  19. ^ "Rolex Awards for Enterprise : 40th anniversary Jury announced". Rolex Awards for Enterprise : 40th anniversary Jury announced. Retrieved 2017-09-21.
  20. ^ a b http://www.icipe.org/news/awards-and-recognition/icipe-honours-2015
  21. ^ Kamencu, Kingwa (30 May 2014). "Dr Kelemu's rise: From climbing trees in rural Ethiopia to excelling in science". The East African. Archived from the original on 28 October 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2016. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
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