Dr. Cecilia Mweu, a Senior Research Fellow and current Director Institute for Biotechnology Research (IBR), Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), has been recognized as one of the two ICGEB CRP Prize Winners for 2024.

The award by the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), celebrates top-quality research conducted in ICGEB member states under the CRP-ICGEB Research Grants Programme.

Dr. Mweu’s award-winning research focuses on making cassava safer to eat and last longer after harvest. Using advanced genetic techniques – Genome editing to be precise, she and her team removed toxic substances found naturally in cassava that can be harmful if not properly processed.

This breakthrough means farmers and consumers will have cassava that is safer to consume and stays fresh for a longer time thus helping to improve food and nutrition security.

The innovation promises a more marketable and consistently safe cassava supply, which will hopefully, reduce over reliance on other staples such as maize, thus addressing food insecurity and malnutrition in Kenya and other cassava-growing regions.

In their commendation, the ICGEB evaluation committee praised the high quality of Dr. Mweu’s research, its scientific impact and its regional relevance.

They highlighted the project’s strong training component, which facilitated the mentorship of two post-doctoral scientists, equipping them with expertise that could be applied to other plant species.

Dr. Mweu’s was elated to receive the award.  “It was a great feeling to receive the title; ICGEB CRP prize winner 2024. I thank ICGEB for recognizing this hard work and dedication to research. I am particularly delighted that this research will make a major contribution to the pillar of food security. I look forward to have this cassava available to farmers and consumers,” said Dr. Mweu.