About Us

Africa finds itself in a peculiar position where, despite holding 25% of the global plant diversity, relatively little genomic data has been collected from indigenous African crops. In the past 2 decades, genomics initiatives on the continent have largely focused on human health and disease. Where pan-African initiatives cover animal, microbial and plant genomics, plant genomics tends to be overlooked or under-represented (one of the many manifestations of ‘plant blindness’). Moreover, genomics of African plants is largely funded and conducted off-continent, and therefore fails to align to and serve the research and development agendas of the continent. Africa needs a critical mass of people and organisations involved in plant genomics, to generate new knowledge using genomics, and to drive a unified agenda for development at a continental level and in the global context.

Recognising the immense potential for a continental plant genomics ecosystem in Africa, the organizing committee, which comprises of African scientists, is convening a 2-day meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, of about 100 delegates from academia, industry, government and civic society to showcase plant genomics research on the African continent, to build a network among stakeholders to support a unified agenda for plant genomics in Africa, and to launch the Africa Plant Genomics Society.

  • Distinguished scientists will provide their perspectives on plant genomics in Africa and share strategies for plant genomics research that support the continent’s development agenda.
  • Early career researchers will benefit from showcasing their research and networking with experienced scientists and industry representatives.
  • Industry, government and civic society representatives will showcase their mutually beneficial support capabilities for the African plant genomics ecosystem.

Organizing Committee

Patience Chatukuta, PhD (Chair)Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen, Germany

Patience Chatukuta leads the African Plant Genomics Group at the Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen in Germany. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Applied Biology and Biochemistry from the National University of Science and Technology in Zimbabwe. She was awarded a Postgraduate Training Fellowship by the Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World to pursue her Master’s and PhD study in Plant Biotechnology at the North-West University in South Africa. She then joined the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa as a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Plant Biotechnology Research Group before receiving a Humboldt Postdoctoral Fellowship to work in the Molecular Biology department at the Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen. Currently, her group uses genome-centred approaches to study the diversity of under-researched subsistence crops in southern Africa together with scientists based on the African continent, with a focus on the diversity and plant-pathogen interactions of horned melon.

Patience Chatukuta, PhD (Chair)Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen, Germany

Patience Chatukuta leads the African Plant Genomics Group at the Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen in Germany. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Applied Biology and Biochemistry from the National University of Science and Technology in Zimbabwe. She was awarded a Postgraduate Training Fellowship by the Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World to pursue her Master’s and PhD study in Plant Biotechnology at the North-West University in South Africa. She then joined the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa as a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Plant Biotechnology Research Group before receiving a Humboldt Postdoctoral Fellowship to work in the Molecular Biology department at the Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen. Currently, her group uses genome-centred approaches to study the diversity of under-researched subsistence crops in southern Africa together with scientists based on the African continent, with a focus on the diversity and plant-pathogen interactions of horned melon.

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Steven Runo, PhD (Scientific Programme)Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya

Steven Runo is a Professor of Molecular Biology at Kenyatta University. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from Kenyatta University in 1998, followed by a Master's degree in Biotechnology from the same institution in 2003. After completing his Master's, he was awarded a PhD fellowship by the Rockefeller Foundation to pursue Molecular Biology in a Sandwich program between Kenyatta University and the University of California, Davis, earning his PhD in 2008. He then undertook postdoctoral training at the University of Sheffield (UK) and the University of Virginia (USA) before accepting a faculty position at Kenyatta University. Currently, his lab uses molecular genetic tools to understand interactions between parasitic plants that limit crop production in Africa and their hosts. In recognition of his contributions to science, Steven was awarded the Royal Society Africa Prize in 2020.

Steven Runo, PhD (Scientific Programme)Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya

Steven Runo is a Professor of Molecular Biology at Kenyatta University. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from Kenyatta University in 1998, followed by a Master's degree in Biotechnology from the same institution in 2003. After completing his Master's, he was awarded a PhD fellowship by the Rockefeller Foundation to pursue Molecular Biology in a Sandwich program between Kenyatta University and the University of California, Davis, earning his PhD in 2008. He then undertook postdoctoral training at the University of Sheffield (UK) and the University of Virginia (USA) before accepting a faculty position at Kenyatta University. Currently, his lab uses molecular genetic tools to understand interactions between parasitic plants that limit crop production in Africa and their hosts. In recognition of his contributions to science, Steven was awarded the Royal Society Africa Prize in 2020.

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Anthony Aseta (Logistics)Africa Harvest Biotech Foundation International, Nairobi, Kenya

Mr. Antony Aseta is a Project Manager of the Food and Nutritional Security Program of the Africa Harvest Biotechnology Foundation International. He holds a BSc. Botany and an MSc. Botany (Microbiology) degree from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, as well as a certificate in Monitoring and Evaluation from Kenyatta University. He is currently studying for an MSc. degree in Environmental Science from Kenyatta University. Mr. Aseta has over fourteen years of experience in project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation in Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Burundi among other countries. His experience spans local, national, and international level assignments, and he currently manages the Gene Editing Technology Initiative (GETI) project in five regions of Africa; with the aim of influencing policymakers to create a supportive regulatory environment for the development and commercialization of gene editing technology products.

Anthony Aseta (Logistics)Africa Harvest Biotech Foundation International, Nairobi, Kenya

Mr. Antony Aseta is a Project Manager of the Food and Nutritional Security Program of the Africa Harvest Biotechnology Foundation International. He holds a BSc. Botany and an MSc. Botany (Microbiology) degree from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, as well as a certificate in Monitoring and Evaluation from Kenyatta University. He is currently studying for an MSc. degree in Environmental Science from Kenyatta University. Mr. Aseta has over fourteen years of experience in project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation in Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Burundi among other countries. His experience spans local, national, and international level assignments, and he currently manages the Gene Editing Technology Initiative (GETI) project in five regions of Africa; with the aim of influencing policymakers to create a supportive regulatory environment for the development and commercialization of gene editing technology products.

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Godfrey Mayoka (Marketing)Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research, Saarbrücken, Germany

Godfrey Mayoka is a distinguished research and academic pharmacist, with a focus on advancing drug discovery for neglected tropical diseases and combating drug-resistant bacteria. He holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy from the University of Nairobi (Kenya), an MSc in Drug Discovery from University College London (UK), and a Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery from the University of Cape Town (South Africa). With over a decade of teaching experience in Pharmacology at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Dr. Mayoka is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of African researchers in scientific writing and publication. His contributions to research are reflected in numerous peer-reviewed publications, and he serves as a reviewer for leading journals and medical research councils. Godfrey’s work has earned him prestigious fellowships and multiple conference travel awards. Currently, as a postdoctoral research fellow at the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland, he is playing a pivotal role in the discovery of urgently needed antibiotics.

Godfrey Mayoka (Marketing)Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research, Saarbrücken, Germany

Godfrey Mayoka is a distinguished research and academic pharmacist, with a focus on advancing drug discovery for neglected tropical diseases and combating drug-resistant bacteria. He holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy from the University of Nairobi (Kenya), an MSc in Drug Discovery from University College London (UK), and a Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery from the University of Cape Town (South Africa). With over a decade of teaching experience in Pharmacology at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Dr. Mayoka is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of African researchers in scientific writing and publication. His contributions to research are reflected in numerous peer-reviewed publications, and he serves as a reviewer for leading journals and medical research councils. Godfrey’s work has earned him prestigious fellowships and multiple conference travel awards. Currently, as a postdoctoral research fellow at the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland, he is playing a pivotal role in the discovery of urgently needed antibiotics.

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Cecilia Waruhiu, PhD (Industry Liaison)F&S Scientific Kenya Ltd., Nairobi, Kenya

Cecilia Waruhiu is a Genomics Application Scientist at F&S Scientific Kenya. She holds a PhD in Microbiology from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences – Wuhan Institute of Virology and Master and Bachelor degrees from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. Previously, she has worked as the Director for both the The Africa Genomics Centre and Consultancy and the Nextgen Molecular Lab in Kenya. She has also worked as research technician at the International Livestock Research Institute and at the Jomo Kenyatta University as a lecturer. Her experience spans academia, biosafety management, molecular and genetic testing, project management, human resources management.

Cecilia Waruhiu, PhD (Industry Liaison)F&S Scientific Kenya Ltd., Nairobi, Kenya

Cecilia Waruhiu is a Genomics Application Scientist at F&S Scientific Kenya. She holds a PhD in Microbiology from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences – Wuhan Institute of Virology and Master and Bachelor degrees from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. Previously, she has worked as the Director for both the The Africa Genomics Centre and Consultancy and the Nextgen Molecular Lab in Kenya. She has also worked as research technician at the International Livestock Research Institute and at the Jomo Kenyatta University as a lecturer. Her experience spans academia, biosafety management, molecular and genetic testing, project management, human resources management.

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Anne Muigai, PhD (Advisor)National Defence University, Nakuru, Kenya

Anne Muigai is a molecular population geneticist with over 20 years experience in research, academic and administrative management in the Kenyan public university sector. Currently a Professor of Genetics, she is the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs at the National Defence University-Kenya. She holds a doctorate degree in Biochemistry from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kenya and a Master of Science in Genetics and Bachelor of Education from Kenyatta University, Kenya. She joined JKUAT in 1992 and rose to the position of a Professor of Genetics in the Department of Botany. She has also served on the Boards of two State Corporations in Kenya namely, the Commission for University Education and the Kenya Plant Health and Inspection Services. She has served as a member of the African Union Animal Genetic Resources Taxonomy Advisory Group for Africa. Currently, Ann is the Chairperson of the African BioGenome Project (https://africanbiogenome.org/), and a member of the Bayer AG Bioethics Advisory Committee.

Anne Muigai, PhD (Advisor)National Defence University, Nakuru, Kenya

Anne Muigai is a molecular population geneticist with over 20 years experience in research, academic and administrative management in the Kenyan public university sector. Currently a Professor of Genetics, she is the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs at the National Defence University-Kenya. She holds a doctorate degree in Biochemistry from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kenya and a Master of Science in Genetics and Bachelor of Education from Kenyatta University, Kenya. She joined JKUAT in 1992 and rose to the position of a Professor of Genetics in the Department of Botany. She has also served on the Boards of two State Corporations in Kenya namely, the Commission for University Education and the Kenya Plant Health and Inspection Services. She has served as a member of the African Union Animal Genetic Resources Taxonomy Advisory Group for Africa. Currently, Ann is the Chairperson of the African BioGenome Project (https://africanbiogenome.org/), and a member of the Bayer AG Bioethics Advisory Committee.

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Assistant To The Organising Committee

Celestine KemuntoResearch Associate at the Centre for Molecular Biosciences and Genomics in Nairobi

Celestine Kemunto is a Research Associate at the Centre for Molecular Biosciences and Genomics in Nairobi. She holds a degree in Microbiology and Biotechnology, and her current research interests focus on pathogen genomics and the application of advanced genomic technologies to improve diagnostics. She is actively involved in research and capacity-building initiatives in molecular biology, genomics, and bioinformatics. She has played a key role in training laboratory professionals and research scientists in molecular techniques and bioinformatics, striving to make genomics more accessible across Africa. Her expertise includes establishing molecular laboratories and providing critical guidance for setting up and troubleshooting molecular biology assays. Celestine is passionate about leveraging her expertise to drive impactful research using advanced genomic technologies to address global health challenges.

Celestine KemuntoResearch Associate at the Centre for Molecular Biosciences and Genomics in Nairobi

Celestine Kemunto is a Research Associate at the Centre for Molecular Biosciences and Genomics in Nairobi. She holds a degree in Microbiology and Biotechnology, and her current research interests focus on pathogen genomics and the application of advanced genomic technologies to improve diagnostics. She is actively involved in research and capacity-building initiatives in molecular biology, genomics, and bioinformatics. She has played a key role in training laboratory professionals and research scientists in molecular techniques and bioinformatics, striving to make genomics more accessible across Africa. Her expertise includes establishing molecular laboratories and providing critical guidance for setting up and troubleshooting molecular biology assays. Celestine is passionate about leveraging her expertise to drive impactful research using advanced genomic technologies to address global health challenges.

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