Segenet Kelemu biography

Segenet Kelemu is the Director General of the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) Nairobi, Kenya. She is the fourth Chief Executive Officer, and the first woman to lead icipe. After more than 25 years in the United States of America and Latin America applying cutting-edge science that saw her garner numerous professional and state honors for an exceptional career as a scientist, Kelemu, returned from the diaspora in 2007 to contribute to Africa’s development.

Kelemu is a 2014 L’Oréal-UNESCO Laureate for Women in Science Awards, and one of the top 100 most influential African women featured in the May 2014 Edition of Forbes Africa. Dr. Kelemu was listed among the 10 most influential African women in agriculture by the Journal of Gender, Agriculture and Food Security. In January 2018, she was recognized by Bill Gates, as one of five ‘heroes in the field’ who are using their talents to fight poverty, hunger and disease, and providing opportunities for the next generation; and in April 2018, the Women Economic Forum awarded Kelemu their highest award “Woman of the Decade in Natural and Sustainable Ecosystems” for leadership. She has been featured in “the Mind of the Universe”, Time Magazine, the BBC, CNN’s African Voices, among others.

She serves in various Boards, advisory panels in major global initiatives and has served in international juries of key science awards.