Mrs.  Gassama Yaye Kene is Professor in Plant biotechnology and biosafety at University Cheikh Anta Diop Dakar. She is acting as Chair of African Union High level Panel on Emerging Technologies (APET). Prof. Gassama was previously appointed as Minister in charge of Science and Technology of Senegal, as such served as Chair of the African Ministerial Council in Science and Technology (AMCOST II). She served as CEO of the National Agency for Scientific and Applied Research in Senegal. 

As national coordinator for the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) in biosafety, she provided support and advice for development of legislative framework on biosafety of living modified organisms for Senegal and the West Africa region. She was appointed in the bureau of Forum of African Women Educationalists (FAWE) FEMSA for advancement of girl’s enrollment in science and mathematics.