Author: ARUA Team

Dr. Tunde Lewis Yusuf is a Lecturer in Inorganic and Materials Chemistry at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. He holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, an MSc (Distinction) from the University of Ibadan, and a BSc (Hons) from the University of Ilorin. His research focuses on nanostructured materials for a sustainable environment. He has published extensively and received competitive grants from the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Water Research Council, and the Medical Research Council. Dr Yusuf leads projects on piezo-photocatalysis, supervises postgraduate students, and engages in collaborative research advancing clean water and energy solutions.

Dr. Mujittapha Umar Sirajo is a Lecturer in the Department of Anatomy, Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare. He holds a PhD in Anatomy (Neuroscience) from Bayero University Kano. His current research focuses developing cost-effective nutritional and mobile‐health interventions to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease in low-resource settings. His work has attracted multiple international grants and recognitions, including Internal Brain Research Organization (2020, 2022, 2024), International Society for Neurochemistry (ISN) (2024), CAJAL Neurokit Grant (2023), among others. He has published 10 articles in high-impact Scopus indexed journals. He teaches anatomy, mentors students and collaborates to translate research into policy and practice.

Dr. Onyekachi Ewa Ibe is a lecturer and haemato-oncology researcher with a PhD in Haematology and Blood Transfusion Science. Her work focuses on the molecular and inflammatory mechanisms of breast cancer progression, with particular interest in the role of coagulation pathways and tumor immune interactions. She has hands-on expertise in haematological analysis, molecular diagnostics, and cancer biomarker evaluation, and has contributed to peer-reviewed publications and competitive research proposals in oncology. Dr. Ibe is actively engaged in translational cancer research aimed at improving early detection and therapeutic strategies in resource-limited settings, while also mentoring emerging scientists in biomedical research and academic writing.

Dr. Rapheal Wangalwa is a Lecturer in the Department of Biology at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), Uganda. He holds a PhD in Biology with specialization in Ecology and Ethnobotany. He is dedicated to advancing ecological research and biodiversity conservation while applying science-based solutions to pressing environmental and public health challenges. With expertise in ecology, microbiology, and GIS/Remote Sensing, he contributes to evidence-based policy and capacity building. Dr. Wangalwa is a PI/Co-PI on several projects, including the FUNGI-BIP a mycorrhizal fungi study project (SPUN-Funded), INTERACT-Africa green technologies initiative (EU-Funded), agro-climatic suitability modelling for key food crops (GoU-Funded), and the Novartem™ and pharma-grade excipients development project (GoU-Funded).

Dr. Ravaka Felandranja Andriatsitohaina, PhD in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences from University of Antananarivo, is a lecturer-researcher at the Institut Supérieur de Technologie Régional de la Côte-Est, University of Toamasina, Madagascar. Her research focuses on the remediation of degraded soils, particularly those affected by erosion, as well as soils polluted by microplastics and heavy metals, with a strong emphasis on soil health and environmental sustainability. An alumna of the TWAS-SISSA Lincei and Eugen Ionescu programs, she is also the founder of Lonatany Madagascar, a consultancy firm supporting rural communities in their transition toward sustainable agricultural practices.

My name is Dr. Toleshi Teshome Ketema. I am a researcher and lecturer at the Chemistry Department and a Postgraduate Program Director at Bonga University, Ethiopia. I graduated from Jimma University by PhD in Analytical Chemistry on July 1, 2024, MSc in Analytical Chemistry from Haramaya University on June 28, 2018 and BSc in Chemistry from Jimma University on June 18, 2016. My research focuses on the synthesis of nanomaterials for diverse applications, particularly in sensing and photocatalysis for applications in agriculture, food safety, and water quality. I have a proven track record of publishing numerous articles in esteemed international and national journals. I am actively involved in the Society for Women and HIV/AIDS in Africa, Ethiopia, where I have successfully conducted training on school-based peer learning related to gender inequalities.

Dr. Cynthia Mwau is a Lecturer in the department of Mathematics and Actuarial Science at Kisii University and a part-time lecturer in the department of Mathematics at the University of Nairobi. She holds a PhD and MSc in Actuarial Science from the University of Nairobi and a BSc in Actuarial Science from the University of Eldoret. Her research focuses on actuarial modelling, financial risk analytics, climate resilience and AI-driven development solutions. She has received grants supporting digital finance, climate-smart agriculture and education technology. She currently a lead PI in two projects on AI for education and AI for agriculture.

Dr. Kundani Makakavhule is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Town and Regional Planning at the University of Pretoria. She holds a PhD in Town and Regional Planning and is currently completing a Master’s in Human Rights Law in the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, at the same institution. Her research focuses on public space and waste management, while her industry practice engages spatial transformation and multi-level governance. She is a recipient of Erasmus+ Teaching Mobility grant, the National Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences PhD Scholarship. She serves as Principal Investigator for the Spatial Methods for Urban Sustainability partnership between the University of Pretoria and Technische Universität Berlin.

Dr. Adetoun Alaba Akitoye is a Lecturer at the Department of Chemistry, University of Lagos. Her research area focuses on Food Security, specializing in smart, biodegradable food packaging and sensor-integrated technologies for reducing postharvest losses. She holds a PhD from the University of Lagos and has published impactful works in several high-profile journals. She has been a recipient of several competitive scholarships and fellowships, and has attracted grants from World Connect, USA and Lagos State Research and Innovation Council, Nigeria. She has also been blessed with several awards, including the Best Overall PhD Thesis (University of Lagos, 2025), IUPAC Women in Chemistry Recognition (2025), and TechWomen Fellowship, USA (2022). She currently serves as Vice Chair, National Roots and Tree Crops Standards Committee of the Standard Organization of Nigeria, and leads several waste valorization and youth-focused agri-tech innovation projects. She is currently one of the ARUA Mastercard Fellows at CoE-SFS, University of Pretoria, South Africa.

Dr. Alemayehu Erkihun Engida is an Associate Professor of History at Wollo University-Ethiopia. He earned his PhD in History from Bahir Dar University in 2020 and done PhD Dissertation on the Sudan-Ethiopia border issue. His research and publication focus on border dispute and the lived experiences of borderland communities in Africa. He has published extensively in internationally peer-reviewed journals. His current research interest relies on the intersection of climate/resources driven conflicts, state fragility in the Horn of Africa, and uncertainties in the Ethio-Eritrean Relations. He is currently an ARUA Fellow at the Institute for Peace and Security Studies, Addis Ababa University