Florence Muringi Wambugu (born 23 August 1953) is a

Kenyan ) , national_anthem = "Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Nairobi , coordinates = , largest_city = Nairobi , ...

plant pathologist Plant pathology (also phytopathology) is the scientific study of diseases in plants caused by pathogens (infectious organisms) and environmental conditions (physiological factors). Organisms that cause infectious disease include fungus, fung ...

and virologist. She is known for her advocacy of using biotechnology to increase food production in Africa.

Education

She attended the University of Nairobi, Kenya, where she received her Bachelor of Science in botany and zoology. She obtained her Master of Science in botanical pathology from North Dakota State University, United States 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.

Professional career

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 The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) is a non-profit international organization that shares agricultural biotechnology, focusing on genetic engineering. Structure ISAAA operates three regional cente ...

– 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 The Monsanto Company () was an American agrochemical and agricultural biotechnology corporation founded in 1901 and headquartered in Creve Coeur, Missouri. Monsanto's best known product is Roundup (herbicide), Roundup, a glyphosate-based herbic ...

. She has made significant contributions to the research, development and improvement of maize, pyrethrum, banana, sweet potato and forestry production in Kenya. 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 The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) is the technical branch of African Union Commission The Commission of the African Union acts as the executive/administrative branch or secretariat of the African Union (and is somewhat analog ...

(FARA); the

DuPont DuPont de Nemours, Inc., commonly shortened to DuPont, is an American multinational chemical company first formed in 1802 by French-American chemist and industrialist Éleuthère Irénée du Pont de Nemours. The company played a major role in ...

Company Biotech Advisory Panel, USA; the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI, now called

Bioversity Bioversity International is a global research-for-development organization that delivers scientific evidence, management practices and policy options to use and safeguard agricultural biodiversity to attain global food and nutrition security, work ...

International), and the African Biotechnology Stakeholders Forum (ABSF). Currently, she is serving as a Council Member of the Japan ; a steering committee member of the

European Action on Global Life Sciences European, or Europeans, or Europeneans, may refer to: In general * ''European'', an adjective referring to something of, from, or related to Europe ** Ethnic groups in Europe ** Demographics of Europe ** European cuisine, the cuisines of Europe a ...

(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 Scientist, reported that the project had failed.

Awards

Florence Wambugu has been the recipient of numerous awards. * IITA's (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Nigeria) Award (1981) * KARI's Crop Science Award for Outstanding Scientist of the Year (1989) * International Potato Center's (CIP) Regional Research Award/Grant (1989) * Farmers Support Award, Pyrethrum Marketing Board of Kenya (1990) * Recognised as an exemplary PhD 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 (2000) * World Bank

Global Development Network The Global Development Network (GDN) is a worldwide network of research and policy institutes working to provide new perspectives to the development challenges of our time. A spin-off of the World Bank, GDN works to make policy-relevant research a ...

Award, for the successful introduction of tissue-culture banana in Kenya (2000) * Woman of the Year by ''Eve Magazine'' (2000) * Yara Prize, for her significant contribution to the fight against hunger and poverty in Africa (2008) * Honorary Degree (Doctor of Science), University of Bath (2009)

Personal life

Florence Wambugu has three children.

References

External links

Profile in Africa Harvest – Biotech Foundation International

Biography at answers.com

* *

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wambugu, Florence M 1953 births Living people Kenyan virologists Women virologists Alumni of the University of Bath 21st-century Kenyan women scientists 21st-century Kenyan scientists University of Nairobi alumni Women zoologists 20th-century Kenyan women scientists 20th-century Kenyan scientists Kenyan phytopathologists North Dakota State University alumni