CAROL NKECHI IBE | LIFE SCIENCE NIGERIA SPOTLIGHT

Carol Nkechi Ibe is a crop scientist, expert advisor, and consultant on impact-driven global food security projects. She is the founder of JR Biotek Foundation, a life science biotechnology and education company that has helped many African scientists succeed in their careers. Her vision is to advance life science research and innovation through JR Bioteck Foundation, especially in agriculture.

In Carol Nkechi Ibe’s words, “Agriculture, in particular is crucial to sub-Saharan Africa’s development. It’s the small-scale farmers who face the most challenges. They don’t have the training, education, funding or modern farming methods to help them improve their crop production.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State, graduating as one of the top three in her department. Additionally, she studied for a Master’s degree in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry with a specialization in biotechnology at Georgetown University, and subsequently, a master’s in Clinical Embryology from the University of Oxford. Driven by her passion to be a solution and reinvent agriculture, she pursued a PhD in Plant Science at Cambridge with a Gates Cambridge scholarship.

Carol Nkechi Ibe was a finalist for the 2017 WISE World Award. In 2019, Ibe was awarded the Cambridge University Society for the Application of Research (CSAR) Award, where she was one of 12 winners (out of more than 200 entries) and the first black student to win the award. She was a Bill Gates Sr. prize winner in 2019.

She has published several research works and has won awards and honors such as the Gates Cambridge Scholarship for a PhD in Plant Science (University of Cambridge), Nervous System Stars, Image of the Day, Annual Nikon Prize in Micromanipulation, Biosensors & Bioelectronics Award for ‘Most Outstanding Contribution,’ and several others.

Carol has developed several initiatives including the Africa Bio-Venture Creation project, the UK-Africa Food Security Summit, and the Reach & Teach Science in Africa flagship program, which mobilises leading research experts to train early-career agricultural research scientists in African universities and research institutes. Carol has forged and co-led partnerships between the UK, particularly, the world-famous University of Cambridge and research institutions in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Benin Republic with multiple Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) awards.

Carol Nkechi Ibe, we appreciate the excellent work and impact you are making in the Life Science Industry in Nigeria.

We celebrate you!

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