Dr. Lara Donaldson, ICGEB Cape Town Plant Systems Biology Group Leader has been selected as a Fellow of the Africa Science Leadership Programme 2021.
The Africa Science Leadership Programme, is an initiative of the University of Pretoria and the Global Young Academy, with the support of the Robert Bosch Stiftung.
‘The Programme aims to grow mid-career African academics in the areas of thought leadership, team management and research development, with the intention of enabling them to contribute to the development of a new paradigm for science in Africa, focused on its contribution to solving the complex issues facing both Africa and the global community’
Dr. Donaldson explains ‘I am honoured to be given this opportunity to be able to take part in the African Science Leadership Programme. Not only will the programme allow me to develop my leadership skills but it will also provide insight into how to effectively network, collaborate and engage with stakeholders. It will also allow me to meet other African scientists, from different disciplines, who are passionate about science leadership and communication. I am excited to apply what I learn to manage a multidisciplinary project which will investigate the microbiome of sorghum for ways to improve food security for Africa. I hope that I will be able to share what I learn with the researchers involved in this project including groups across the African continent – in South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia and Burundi, and with my colleagues at the ICGEB.’
