Founder, JR Biotek Foundation; Research Manager, Cambridge Global Challenges Interdisciplinary Research Centre, University of Cambridge
Youtube Interview link: Interview with Dr Carol Ibe
Dr Carol Ibe is a molecular plant scientist, visionary leader, and Founder of the JR Biotek Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering African scientists and farmers to co-create climate-resilient solutions for food security. She also serves as Research Manager at the Cambridge Global Challenges Interdisciplinary Research Centre at the University of Cambridge.
A Gates Cambridge Scholar with academic training from Cambridge, Oxford, and Georgetown, Carol has led pioneering initiatives that unite science, indigenous knowledge, and creative public engagement. Her leadership has trained over 260 African crop scientists in person and reached more than 10,000 virtually across 19+ countries, while fostering Africa-led innovations that support African smallholder farmers.
Through projects like the Agri-Innovation & Impact Project (AGRIIP) and the Roots of Resilience initiative (both initiatives of the JR Biotek Foundation), she is advancing equitable partnerships, amplifying African perspectives, and reimagining agriculture as a pathway to resilience and human flourishing.