In a great milestone that reflects the growing impact of the Institute in advancing scientific research, Dr. Priscillar Mutungi, a leading biological scientist at the Institute has been selected as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) in Cape Town.
She joins the fellowship under the prestigious ICGEB Bio-Inoculants for Food Security in Africa (B-INOC) Programme, which supports advanced research training and enhances global scientific mobility, especially between the Global South and North.
Dr. Mutungi brings to the fellowship her extensive expertise in microbial bioprospecting for sustainable agriculture and industrial biotechnology.
Her research under the fellowship, now based within the Plant Systems Biology Group under the mentorship of Dr. Lara Donaldson, focuses on developing bio-stimulants from endophytic bacteria to support crop resilience, nutrient uptake, and stress tolerance.
These innovations align with global priorities such as climate-smart agriculture and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Her work is emblematic of the Institute’s strategic commitment to research and innovation, a key pillar of the Strategic Plan (2023-2027).
The plan prioritizes cutting-edge scientific development, innovations, partnerships, and the creation of homegrown solutions to environmental and socio-economic challenges.
Dr. Mutungi’s fellowship not only enhances individual scientific capacity but also contributes to the Institute’s broader goal of supporting national and continental priorities in biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, and food security.
The B-INOC Africa project, supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), seeks to promote innovation, technology transfer, and entrepreneurship through microbial inoculants for resilient agriculture.
It is a powerful platform for the Institute’s researchers to plug into global research networks and bring back transformative solutions for local implementation.
Speaking on the opportunity, Dr. Mutungi said:
“I am very grateful to have been awarded the ICGEB B-INOC Fellowship to enhance my skills. ICGEB is a great organization that fosters creativity, innovation, and collaboration. I look forward to building a long-term partnership that bridges global expertise with local application.”
Her achievement marks another step forward in positioning the Institute as a center of excellence in wildlife and environmental research, and a key contributor to sustainable development in Africa.