ISAAA AfriCenter’s Board

The AfriCenter Board comprises a team of eight eminent personalities representing developing and industrialized countries, public and private sectors, and various professional interest groups. Made up of an eclectic blend of both young and time-honoured, the Board represents a wide range of expertise in science, technology and innovation (STI), research and academia, food security, advocacy, and, leadership and management.  They bring expansive experience and expertise, important ingredients in our quest to ensuring our continent is an equal player in development, acquisition and commercialization of biosciences for prosperity.  

The Board is chaired by Dr. Robert Karanja, the Founder and Executive Director BioLink Africa, a venture studio and ecosystem platform focused on Genomics and BioPharma innovation. Robert enjoys impeccable record in donor engagements having successfully developed and built extensive relationships with development partners over the years. His invaluable entrepreneurial and networking skills are an important addition to a rich pool of capabilities that the board is bringing along.

The Board oversees programmatic, organizational, and policy strategies of ISAAA AfriCenter. Specifically, the directors provide indispensable guidance and strategic direction as AfriCenter repositions itself to meet new challenges in the biosciences landscape. 

  • Dr. Robert Karanja

    Dr. Robert Karanja

    Board Chair

  • Dr. Jenny Molloy

    Dr. Jenny Molloy

    Board Treasurer

  • Dr. Canisius Kanangire

    Dr. Canisius Kanangire

    Board Member

  • Dr. Appolinaire Djikeng

    Dr. Appolinaire Djikeng

    Board Member

  • Dr. Charity Mutegi

    Dr. Charity Mutegi

    Board Member

  • Prof. Ratemo Michieka

    Prof. Ratemo Michieka

    Board Member

  • Prof. Kazuo Watanabe

    Prof. Kazuo Watanabe

    Board Member

  • Prof. Curtis R. Youngs

    Prof. Curtis R. Youngs

    Board Member

  • Prof. Paul Teng

    Prof. Paul Teng

    SINGAPORE (ex-officio)

  • Prof. Jeniffer Thomson

    Prof. Jeniffer Thomson

    SOUTH AFRICA (ex-officio)

  • Dr. Mahaletchumy Arujanan

    Dr. Mahaletchumy Arujanan

    Global Coordinator, ISAAA/BioTrust

  • Dr. Margaret Karembu, MBS

    Dr. Margaret Karembu, MBS

    Director, ISAAA AfriCenter