Biotech Updates

Kenyan Researcher Wins 2013 Norman Borlaug Award

September 11, 2013

A scientist and field researcher from Kenya is this year's recipient of the Norman Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application. Dr. Charity Mutegi, currently working at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), was recognized for her work as a member of the IITA research team that has achieved major breakthroughs by applying locally adapted and easy to use biological tools in combating contamination with deadly aflatoxin mold that occurs in staple crops such as maize grain or groundnut.

Mutegi received her PhD in Food Science in the Food Security Program from the University of KwaZulu Natal in South Africa. Her research focused on the extent of aflatoxin contamination on groundnut from households in western Kenya and the causative factors of contamination. After completing her PhD in 2010, Mutegi returned to Kenya and worked for the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) as well as the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) as a visiting scientist.

See IITA's news release at http://www.iita.org/2013-press-releases/-/asset_publisher/CxA7/content/iita-research-scientist-dr-charity-mutegi-wins-the-prestigious-2013-norman-borlaug-award?redirect=%2Fhome%2F#.Ui1tcNLBqSo.