Female Scientists in Africa on the Forefront in Spearheading Change

The Next Einstein Forum (NEF) African female scientists are making breakthroughs in non-invasive medical fields, cancer nanotechnology, Alzheimer’s disease treatment, Einstein’s fudge factor clarification, novelties in health systems as well as technological policies, treatment of type 2 diabetes, dealing with malnutrition among others.

This comes at a time when you seldom hear about them leading such global discoveries. According to the NEF chair and founder and the President and CEO of the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), Mr. Thierry Zomahaun, the world has no idea or instead do not value the contributions of female scientists to science or the society. For African Scientists, the NEF is putting them at the center of discussion regarding global research and innovation.

“Their work is valuable to science and the global development in general. We should, therefore, highlight the women’s work as we collectively #PressforProgress,” he said.

The number of women around the world who are building their careers in science and technology, according to UNESCO, is around 28 percent and only 30% of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are Sub-Saharan Africa women. The report noted that the statistics are unfortunate for the STEM is pivotal to economic contribution. This sentiment is in line with a World Bank Report that showed that Sub-Saharan Africa’s significant economic growth is reflected through STEM research.

“There is an urgent need for Africa to invest in women through their training and retaining them in STEM field from secondary to the highest levels of education. This isn’t a cliché; it is an economic imperative with concrete impacts to the global community.Take a look at the NEF women of science, they are demonstrating the highest levels of economic excellence,” said Nathalie Munyampenda, NEF Managing Director.

Some of the notable female scientists include Dr. Vinet Coetzee, who leads a team that developed cheap 3D cameras used for the identification of facial traits related to African infants Down’s syndrome. She plans to expand and come up with a machine that can be utilized in the diagnosis of several conditions.

Exploring the possibility of the development of novel carriers for disease treatment, particularly cancer and Alzheimer’s is Professor Maha Nasr from Egypt. Dr. Sanushka Naidoo from South Africa Sanushka, on the other hand, is determined to find ways of conferring broad-spectrum, prolonged resistance from forest species, through gene family dissections and pests and pathogen responses.

Others include Dr. Aku Kwamie from Ghana who is focusing on health system governance for better and equitable healthcare, Dr. Rym Kefi from Tunisia who deals with DNA patterns for tracing human disorders, particularly Type 2 diabetes, and Professor Aminata Garba from Niger whose hope is to explore the frontiers between policies and technologies.

These, and other leaders in different fields will be sharing their ideas at the NEF Global Gathering 2018 in Kigali, Rwanda on 26-28 March 2018.