Governance & Oversight
BecA Hub Advisory Panel
The BecA-ILRI Hub Advisory Panel comprises leaders and experts in biosciences in Africa and beyond, policy experts and representatives of key stakeholders’ organizations and has been constituted to provide strategic advice to AU/NEPAD, the ILRI Board, and the BecA–ILRI Hub management on future research directions, new technology developments, potential science and development partners and resource mobilization opportunities. The panel also provides a forum for deeper interaction amongst African stakeholders, international science and development partners and investors to seek their views of BecA’s continuing contributions towards biosciences applications in Africa. The management of the BecA-ILRI Hub provides input to the Advisory Panel with the Director of BecA serving as the secretary to the panel.
Abdou Tenkouano
Member
Dr Abdou Tenkouano is Executive Director of CORAF/WECARD, with extensive experience leading agricultural research across Africa. A geneticist, he has held senior roles at ICRISAT, IITA and AVRDC, advancing research programmes, partnerships, resource mobilisation and agricultural development.
Aggrey Ambali
Member
Professor Aggrey Ambali is a leading African science and innovation expert with extensive experience at NEPAD and the African Union. A population geneticist and former professor, he has advanced continental science policy, biosciences, research partnerships and innovation, including development of STISA 2024.
Andy Watt
Member
Andy Watt is Managing Director of QualiBasic Seed Company, with over 37 years’ experience in African agriculture, agribusiness strategy, management and investment. Formerly with Syngenta and the African Agricultural Fund, he also brings practical farming, consultancy and corporate governance experience.
Anthony Whitbread
Member
Prof. Anthony Whitbread is ILRI’s Director of Livestock, Climate and Environment, leading research on climate adaptation and mitigation across Africa and Asia. A PhD holder in Soil Science and Agronomy, he previously led ICRISAT’s systems research and held senior academic and research roles.
Anu Samuel Frank-Lawale
Member
Dr. Anu Samuel Frank-Lawale is ILRI’s Program Director for Livestock Genetics, Nutrition and Feed Resources. A quantitative geneticist with over 20 years’ experience, he specializes in animal breeding, genomics, digital phenotyping and feed innovations for productive, climate-resilient livestock.
Appolinaire Djikeng
Member
Prof. Appolinaire Djikeng is ILRI’s Director General, a genomics and livestock genetics expert with 20+ years in research leadership. Former CTLGH Director and Edinburgh professor, he co-founded AABNET and AfricaBP to advance sustainable agriculture, animal health and Africa’s biodiversity.
Canisius Kanangire
Member
Dr Canisius Kanangire is Executive Director of AATF, bringing over 35 years of leadership in aquatic sciences, capacity development and regional partnerships. He previously headed AMCOW and the Lake Victoria Basin Commission and held senior strategic roles at the Nile Basin Initiative.
Dieter Schillinger
Member
Dr Dieter Schillinger is assistant director general responsible for ILRI’s biosciences research. He brings over 25 years of animal health industry experience and expertise in leadership, business management, animal health policy and veterinary public health.
Edwin Southern
Member
Professor Sir Edwin Southern is a distinguished molecular biologist who pioneered the Southern Blot and oligonucleotide microarray, transforming DNA analysis, genome mapping, forensics and diagnostics. Former Oxford Biochemistry Chair, he is Chief Scientific Advisor at Oxford Gene Technology.
Isabelle Baltenweck
Member
Dr. Isabelle Baltenweck is ILRI’s Program Director for People, Policies and Institutions. A development economist with 20 years’ experience, she specializes in livestock value chains, technology adoption, impact assessment, gender equity and inclusive agricultural development across Africa and Asia.
Joyce Maru
Member
Dr. Joyce Maru is Regional Director for Africa at the International Potato Center (CIP), leading strategic partnerships and research initiatives. With a doctorate in leadership and organizational change, she previously coordinated major biofortification programs and held capacity development roles at CIP and ILRI.
Leena Tripathi
Member
Dr. Leena Tripathi is IITA’s Eastern Africa Hub Director and Director of Genetic Innovation. With over 25 years in plant biotechnology, she leads gene-editing and transgenic research to improve banana, cassava, enset and yam. An AAAS Fellow, she advances crop resilience and food security in Africa.
Margaret Munene
Member
Margaret Munene is a distinguished entrepreneur, agribusiness leader and philanthropist with over 25 years’ dairy industry experience. Co-founder of Palmhouse Dairies and founding trustee of Palmhouse Foundation, she is a former agricultural researcher and recipient of Kenya’s Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear.
Siboniso Moyo
Member
Dr Siboniso (Boni) Moyo is ILRI’s Deputy Director General for Research, Partnerships and Impact. An animal breeding and genetics specialist with over 35 years’ experience, she has led livestock research across Africa, including ILRI’s animal science program and Zimbabwe’s livestock development.
Simon Brooker
Member
Prof. Simon Brooker is ILRI’s Health Program Director and an infectious disease epidemiologist. Former Deputy Director for Neglected Tropical Diseases at the Gates Foundation and professor at LSHTM, he specializes in disease control, digital health and public health research in Africa.
Sofia Tesfazion
Member
Dr. Sofia Tesfazion is IRRI’s Regional Director for Africa, leading regional operations, partnerships and resource mobilization. With over 25 years’ experience in strategy, international development and agrifood systems, she previously led resource mobilization at AATF and Plan International.
Theresa Sengooba
Member
Dr Theresa Sengooba is a distinguished biosafety and agricultural research expert, advancing biotechnology regulation, policy and capacity building across Africa. A former NARO Deputy Director General, she has held influential advisory and governance roles in regional biosafety, research and innovation programmes.
Yemi Akinbamijo
Member
Dr Yemi Akinbamijo is a distinguished agricultural research and development leader with extensive experience across Africa and Europe. Executive Director of FARA, he has held senior African Union roles in agriculture and food security and is an accomplished researcher in tropical animal production.
Our People
The Team Behind BecA’s Science and Innovation
Our staff bring together diverse scientific, technical and professional expertise to advance the BecA-ILRI Hub’s mission. Working across research, technology platforms, capacity development and operational support, the team enables high-quality bioscience research and helps strengthen agricultural innovation across Africa.
Agnes Njeri Mburu
Technical Management Assistant
Agnes Njeri Mburu is the Technical Management Assistant. A trained electronics engineering technologist, Agnes supports BecA’s technical operations and research equipment. Affiliation: BecA technical services
Christian Keambou Tiambo
Scientist-CTLGH/Livestock Genetics
ILRI/CTLGH scientist working on livestock reproductive technologies, precision breeding and biobanking. He leads CTLGH work on cellular resources, functional genomics and biotechnology. Affiliation: LGNFR and CTLGH
Collins Mutai
Research associate
Collins Mutai is a Research associate working on plant-associated bacteria and fungi. Affiliation: BecA bioscience research
Dalmas Odhiambo Ngere
General Laboratory Assistant
Dalmas Ngere is a Laboratory assistant supporting laboratory operations, including equipment cleaning, sterilization and waste management. Affiliation: BecA laboratory services.
David Barasa
Program Assistant
David Barasa is a Program Assistant at the BecA-ILRI Hub proviously providing support to the Climate-smart Brachiaria grass project
Edwin Isaac Onyiego
Greenhouse Assistant
Edwin Isaac Onyiego is the Greenhouse Assistant supporting plant growth and research facilities. Affiliation: BecA Plant Growth Facility
Evelyn Atieno Onyango
Technical Assistant
Evelyn Atieno is a Technical Assistant supporting preparation of cell culture media and laboratory buffers. Affiliation: BecA laboratory services
Francis Gatei
General Laboratory Assistant
Francis Gatehi is a Laboratory Assistant supporting BecA’s laboratory operations and facility services. Affiliation: BecA laboratory services.
Fredrick Munga Ng'ang'a
Research associate
Fredrick Ng’ang’a is the Analytical chemist supporting mycotoxin screening and quantification. Affiliation: Nutrition Analysis and Mycotoxin Diagnostics platform.
Isidore Houaga
Scientist Statistical Genetics
Dr. Isidore Houaga is a Statistical geneticist at ILRI and lead for capacity building and knowledge exchange at CTLGH. His work includes genomic prediction, livestock breeding and climate resilience. Affiliation: LGNFR and LCE
Jean-Baka Domelevo Entfellner
Scientist - Bioinformatics
Jean-Baka Domelevo Entfellner is the Head of Data and Research Methods at ILRI and lead of the bioinformatics platform. His work covers research data systems, computational analysis and bioinformatics capacity development. Affiliation: Bioinformatics platform
Leah Symekher
Senior Manager - Capacity Development
Leah Symekher is the Senior Manager for Capacity Development at ILRI. She oversees the Capacity Development Unit and supports ILRI’s fellowship and capacity development initiatives. Affiliation: cross-cutting capacity development.
Linnet Agiza
General Laboratory Assistant
Linnet Agiza is a Laboratory Assistant supporting routine laboratory services, equipment cleaning and waste management. Affiliation: BecA laboratory services
Lucy Muthui
Research Technician
Lucy Muthui is a Research Technician associated with sequencing, genotyping and oligosynthesis services. Affiliation: SEGOLIP
Manasses Mwaura
Technical Assistant
Manasses Mwaura is a Technical Assistant supporting laboratory media, glassware and sterilization services. Affiliation: Central Core Unit
Marvin Sunday Wasonga
Capacity Development Officer
As the Capacity Development Officer, Marvin supports program administration, monitoring and capacity development activities at ILRI. Affiliation: Innovations Scaling and Impact.
Michael Ominde
General Laboratory Assistant
Michael Ominde is a Laboratory Assistant supporting general laboratory services. Affiliation: BecA laboratory services.
Samuel O. Oyola
Senior Scientist in molecular biology / Head of Genomics at ILRI
Samuel is a Senior Scientist in molecular biology and Head of Genomics at ILRI. His work uses genomics and molecular biology in animal and human health research, including pathogen surveillance. Affiliation: Genomics platform; Health/One Health research