People

The strength of the New-Gen Global Food Systems Network lies in its people, a diverse, international community of researchers, mentors, students, and collaborators working together to drive innovation in global food systems.

Management Team

	Profile
	Harriett Paul \| Florida A&M University Harriett Paul is the Director for the Office of International Agriculture and Center for International Agricultural Trade Development Research and Training at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University in Tallahassee, Florida. Expertise: Public Administration, Public Policy, International Agricultural Development, and International Agricultural Project Management.
	Sharon Brooks \| Florida A&M University Sharon Brooks is the Administrative Assistant for the Office of International Agriculture and Center for International Agricultural Trade Development Research and Training at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University in Tallahassee, Florida. Expertise: Agribusiness
	Joseph Jones \| Florida A&M University Joseph Jones is the Coordinator of International Research for the Office of International Agriculture and Center for International Agricultural Trade Development Research and Training at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University in Tallahassee, Florida. Expertise: International Program Coordination, Grant Management, Educational Counseling, and Academic Engagement.
	Almando Morain \| Florida A&M University Almando Morain is the Program Associate for the Office of International Agriculture and the Center for International Agricultural Trade Development, Research, and Training at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee, Florida. Expertise: Water Resources Assessment, AI/ML Applications, Integrated Pest Management, and Food Safety.

Principal Investigators & Mentors by Region

Central America - Guatemala

Profile

Rolando Cifuentes | PI | Universidad del Valle de Guatemala

Rolando Cifuentes is the Director of the Center for Agricultural and Food Studies and a soil science professor at Universidad del Valle de Guatemala in Guatemala City.

Expertise: Soil Fertility, Soil Health and Remediation, Regenerative and Climate-Resilient Agriculture.

Marisol Reina | Universidad del Valle de Guatemala

Marisol Reina is the Coordinator of the Food Science and Technology Program at the Center for Agricultural and Food Studies

Expertise: Food Product and Process Design, Formulation of Highly Nutritional Food Products, Use of Native Ingredients, Breastmilk and Allergy, Quality Assurance Systems, Food Safety and Circular Economy in Agrifood Systems.

East Africa - Uganda

	Profile
	Robert Kajobe \| PI \| Muni University Robert Kajobe is a Research Professor and Director for Graduate Training, Research and Innovation at Muni University in Arua, Uganda. Expertise: Agricultural innovation, Policy analysis, forestry, climate resilience, and Institutional leadership.
	Experito Kabuga \| Muni University Experito Kabuga is a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Officer at the Directorate of Graduate Training, Research and Innovation at Muni University in Arua, Uganda. Expertise: Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation, Agronomy, and Soil Health Research
	Richard Malingumu \| Muni University Richard Malingumu is a Lecturer of Soil Science in the Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at Muni University in Arua, Uganda. Expertise: Soil science, Sustainable agriculture, Agricultural Land Use and Management, Sustainable Rural Livelihood, and Business Administration.
	Ratib Dricile \| Muni University Ratib Dricile is a researcher and the acting Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Muni University in Arua, Uganda. Expertise: Childhood Nutrition, Emerging and Neglected Infectious Diseases, and Development Studies.

East Africa – Kenya

Profile

David Karanja | Organic Agriculture Centre of Kenya

David Karanja is the Chief Executive Officer of the Organic Agriculture Centre of Kenya (OACK) in Murang’a County, Kenya

Expertise: Organic Agriculture, Biodynamic Agriculture, Horticulture

West Africa - Nigeria

	Profile
	Atanda Oladejo \| PI \| Obafemi Awolowo University Atanda Oladejo is a plant breeder/senior lecturer in the Department of Crop Production and Protection, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile–Ife, Nigeria. Expertise: Plant Breeding and Genetics, Nutrition Security, and Climate-Smart Agriculture.
	Michael Awoleye \| Obafemi Awolowo University Michael Awoleye is a Principal Research Fellow (Associate Professor) at the African Institute for Science Policy and Innovation, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria. Expertise: Computer Science, Data Science, Software Development, and Digital Literacy.
	Cornelius Atere \| Obafemi Awolowo University Cornelius Atere is a researcher and lecturer in the Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile–Ife, Nigeria. Expertise: Soil Microbial Ecology, Soil Health, and Crop Improvement.
	Victoria Tanimonure \| Obafemi Awolowo University Victoria Tanimonure is an Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Expertise: Agribusiness Management, Indigenous Crops, Food Security.

Additional Collaborators for Nigeria Research Team

Profile

Abiodun Atoloye | Utah State University

Abiodun Atoloye is an Assistant Professor in the Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences Department at Utah State University in Logan, Utah.

Expertise: Food safety, Food Security, Nutrition, and Dietetics.

Idowu Atoloye | Alcorn State University

Idowu Atoloye is an Assistant Professor of Soil Science at Alcorn State University in Alcorn, Mississippi.

Expertise: Soil Health, Carbon Sequestration, Soil Nutrient Availability, Organic Amendments, and Biochar Applications.

West Africa - Ghana

	Profile
	Gloria Essilfie \| PI \| University of Ghana Gloria Essilfie is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Crop Science at the University of Ghana in Accra, Ghana. Expertise: Agro-Processing Innovations, Cold Chain Systems, Postharvest Food Safety Management, Postharvest Technology, and Quality Assurance Systems.
	Freda Asem \| PI \| University of Ghana Freda Asem is the Associate Director of the West Africa Horticulture Innovation Hub and a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana in Accra, Ghana. Expertise: Agricultural and Resource Economics, Development Studies, Agricultural Marketing, Agribusiness, and Agri-Food Systems.
	Naalamle Amissah \| University of Ghana Naalamle Amissah is the Director of the West Africa Horticulture Innovation Hub and a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana in Accra, Ghana. Expertise: Horticulture, Agriculture, Climate Resilience, Food Security, and Policy Development.
	Louis Hodey \| University of Ghana Louis Hodey is a Researcher in the West Africa Horticulture Innovation Hub at the University of Ghana in Accra, Ghana. Expertise: Economics, Data Modelling, Econometric Analysis, Food Security, and Policy Development.
	Kolog Jude \| University of Ghana Kolog Jude is a Researcher in the West Africa Horticulture Innovation Hub at the University of Ghana in Accra, Ghana. Expertise: Agricultural Economics, Food Security, Sustainability, and Policy Development.

Student Interns

	Profile
	Dorcas Twumwaa Gyan PhD Student, Urban Forestry, Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
	Annmarie Robinson Master of Science, Agricultural Sciences/Entomology, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida.
	Karen Gitau Master of Science student, Agricultural Economics, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, Maryland.
	Anthonia Nwagwu Master of Science student, Food and Agricultural Science, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, Maryland.
	Dipsana K.C. Master of Science student, Sustainable Agriculture, Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Missouri.
	Shreesha Pandeya Master of Science student, Environmental Studies, College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources, Kentucky State University, Frankfort, Kentucky.
	Hilarie Uwamahoro Ph.D. Student, Integrative Biosciences, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama.

	Profile
	Harriett Paul \| Florida A&M University Harriett Paul is the Director for the Office of International Agriculture and Center for International Agricultural Trade Development Research and Training at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University in Tallahassee, Florida. Expertise: Public Administration, Public Policy, International Agricultural Development, and International Agricultural Project Management.
	Sharon Brooks \| Florida A&M University Sharon Brooks is the Administrative Assistant for the Office of International Agriculture and Center for International Agricultural Trade Development Research and Training at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University in Tallahassee, Florida. Expertise: Agribusiness
	Joseph Jones \| Florida A&M University Joseph Jones is the Coordinator of International Research for the Office of International Agriculture and Center for International Agricultural Trade Development Research and Training at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University in Tallahassee, Florida. Expertise: International Program Coordination, Grant Management, Educational Counseling, and Academic Engagement.
	Almando Morain \| Florida A&M University Almando Morain is the Program Associate for the Office of International Agriculture and the Center for International Agricultural Trade Development, Research, and Training at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee, Florida. Expertise: Water Resources Assessment, AI/ML Applications, Integrated Pest Management, and Food Safety.

	Profile
	Robert Kajobe \| PI \| Muni University Robert Kajobe is a Research Professor and Director for Graduate Training, Research and Innovation at Muni University in Arua, Uganda. Expertise: Agricultural innovation, Policy analysis, forestry, climate resilience, and Institutional leadership.
	Experito Kabuga \| Muni University Experito Kabuga is a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Officer at the Directorate of Graduate Training, Research and Innovation at Muni University in Arua, Uganda. Expertise: Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation, Agronomy, and Soil Health Research
	Richard Malingumu \| Muni University Richard Malingumu is a Lecturer of Soil Science in the Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at Muni University in Arua, Uganda. Expertise: Soil science, Sustainable agriculture, Agricultural Land Use and Management, Sustainable Rural Livelihood, and Business Administration.
	Ratib Dricile \| Muni University Ratib Dricile is a researcher and the acting Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Muni University in Arua, Uganda. Expertise: Childhood Nutrition, Emerging and Neglected Infectious Diseases, and Development Studies.

	Profile
	Atanda Oladejo \| PI \| Obafemi Awolowo University Atanda Oladejo is a plant breeder/senior lecturer in the Department of Crop Production and Protection, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile–Ife, Nigeria. Expertise: Plant Breeding and Genetics, Nutrition Security, and Climate-Smart Agriculture.
	Michael Awoleye \| Obafemi Awolowo University Michael Awoleye is a Principal Research Fellow (Associate Professor) at the African Institute for Science Policy and Innovation, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria. Expertise: Computer Science, Data Science, Software Development, and Digital Literacy.
	Cornelius Atere \| Obafemi Awolowo University Cornelius Atere is a researcher and lecturer in the Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile–Ife, Nigeria. Expertise: Soil Microbial Ecology, Soil Health, and Crop Improvement.
	Victoria Tanimonure \| Obafemi Awolowo University Victoria Tanimonure is an Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Expertise: Agribusiness Management, Indigenous Crops, Food Security.

	Profile
	Gloria Essilfie \| PI \| University of Ghana Gloria Essilfie is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Crop Science at the University of Ghana in Accra, Ghana. Expertise: Agro-Processing Innovations, Cold Chain Systems, Postharvest Food Safety Management, Postharvest Technology, and Quality Assurance Systems.
	Freda Asem \| PI \| University of Ghana Freda Asem is the Associate Director of the West Africa Horticulture Innovation Hub and a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana in Accra, Ghana. Expertise: Agricultural and Resource Economics, Development Studies, Agricultural Marketing, Agribusiness, and Agri-Food Systems.
	Naalamle Amissah \| University of Ghana Naalamle Amissah is the Director of the West Africa Horticulture Innovation Hub and a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana in Accra, Ghana. Expertise: Horticulture, Agriculture, Climate Resilience, Food Security, and Policy Development.
	Louis Hodey \| University of Ghana Louis Hodey is a Researcher in the West Africa Horticulture Innovation Hub at the University of Ghana in Accra, Ghana. Expertise: Economics, Data Modelling, Econometric Analysis, Food Security, and Policy Development.
	Kolog Jude \| University of Ghana Kolog Jude is a Researcher in the West Africa Horticulture Innovation Hub at the University of Ghana in Accra, Ghana. Expertise: Agricultural Economics, Food Security, Sustainability, and Policy Development.