Discover, network, and collaborate - 5th Annual BIO Africa Convention.
The Dr Konji Sebati Female Leaders of Tomorrow Fellowship
In honor of the late Ambassador Dr Konji Sebati (CEO of IPASA and AfricaBio Board member), AfricaBio will be launching the BIO Africa Fellowship Program at this year’s Convention. Dr Sebati was very instrumental in setting up the BIO Africa Convention, from its conceptualisation as a platform for facilitating biotechnology development in Africa, to bidding at the 2017 BIO International Convention in San Diego for the rights of AfricaBio to develop and host an independent Pan African edition with its own contextual Agenda. Dr Sebati was a very active Member of the Board of AfricaBio, the organisation that hosts the Convention.
The Dr. Konji Sebati Female Leaders of Tomorrow Fellowship is a continuation of the Convention’s recognition and support of Women Leaders and Rising Stars within the Science field. In 2020, the BIO Africa Convention launched a discussion on Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) as well as Women Rising Stars in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI). Following from this, AfricaBio and the BIO Africa Convention has made a policy decision to represent females across all sciences, it is planned that future editions of BIO Africa Convention will strive for a 50% representation of Women across all our platforms.
The aim of the Fellowship is to provide opportunities for young female scientists who are looking to diversify away from the laboratory but still have a deep passion for science. There are careers such as in Innovation, Science Communications, Entrepreneurship, Business and Finance which viable extensions to the scientific domain.
Recipients of The Dr Konji Sebati Female Leaders of Tomorrow Fellowship
Ms. Belinda Mudhobi
Ms. Reitumetse Kholumo
Ms. Zaria Phindile. Malindi
Zaria is a PhD candidate in Biomedical Sciences at UJ, where her research in nanobiotechnology focuses on the development of recombinant antibody-conjugated nanoparticles for targeted photodynamic therapy of cancer. She has a strong interest in translational medicine, as defined by the three pillars of benchtop, bedside and community, and hopes to use her interdisciplinary training to contribute to the advancement of Africa-centric biotechnology solutions to bridge the gaps between researchers, clinicians and the community. Some of her key interests in the promotion of science outside of academia are science communication and science teaching — having worked in both areas, she hopes to incorporate these into her efforts to increase science awareness and community engagement to uplift our biotech industry, bioeconomy and people.
Ms. Zaria Phindile. Malindi
Ms. Reitumetse Kholumo
Reitumetse Kholumo (pronounced Kgodumo) is a graduate chemical engineering student and budding social entrepreneur who is passionate about combining scientific insights, indigenous knowledge systems, and social awareness to achieve sustainable development in under-resourced areas. She is the founder and director of Kwela Brews, a company which provides manufacturing, quality control and distribution support to homebrewers of traditional Afrikan beer; thus enabling them to operate safely, efficiently and profitably. She is also pursuing her masters in engineering at Stellenbosch University. Her research is focussed on identifying antioxidant compounds produced by bacterial endophytes from an indigenous medicinal plant.
Over 3 years of experience working as a Quality Specialist in Manufacturing. Currently, a Regulatory specialist at the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe. Assessing the quality, safety and efficacy of small molecule drugs, biologics biosimiliars, complementary medicines, blood and blood products. Passionate about bringing the benefits of biotechnology home, supporting indigenous bioinnovations and supporting the product development cycle for promising and active African pharmaceutical players.
Ms. Belinda Mudhobi
In Partnership with
