Five Junior Investigative Research Awards (JIRA) Granted to Rsif Graduates
Following the PASET Executive Board’s approval, five research grants have been awarded to Rsif PhD Graduates, for the Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (Rsif) Junior Investigative Research Award (JIRA).
The awardees include Dr. David Oluwasegun Afolayan and Dr. Richard Koech from African University of Science and Technology (AUST), who will work on Additive-assisted Fabrication of Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells, and Characterization of Cleaved Baryte Surface-Interfaces and Computational Study of Interactions of Baryte Ore-based Middling Particles for enhanced Mineral liberation and Recovery, respectively; Dr Jean Nepomuscene Hakizimana from Sokoine University of Agriculture, who will work on Leveraging pathogen genomics for an improved domestic pig health and production by mapping African swine fever virus transmission dynamics at the wildlife-livestock interface in Tanzania; Dr. Noel Gahamanyi from University of Rwanda, who will work on Prevalence, antimicrobial susceptibility profiles, and genotypes of thermophilic Campylobacter species from humans and animals in selected regions of Rwanda; and Dr. Emmanuel Effah from Gaston Berger Université (UGB), who will work on Robust and Affordable Smart Agri-IoT Technology.
The researchers commenced implementation of their projects in April 2023; and have already received a two-day training on grant management, reporting and compliance to impart best practices and enhance compliance to Rsif requirements.
The Rsif Junior Investigative Research Award is designed to provide support to Rsif post-doctoral scientists. Its primary objective is to foster the establishment of research careers among these individuals. By unlocking the research potential of recently graduated Rsif PhD scholars, JIRA contributes to the overall enhancement of research excellence within the organization.
JIRA serves to bolster the research capacity of the institution by providing opportunities for newly graduated PhD scholars who are also staff members to gain valuable experience in leading research projects. By engaging in such projects, these emerging scientists acquire essential research leadership and managerial skills, which are instrumental in their professional development.
One of the key benefits of the JIRA program is that it assists the recipients in settling down at their respective home institutions, facilitating the establishment of their research careers. This is achieved by capitalizing on existing networks as well as establishing new connections with local and international partners. By fostering collaboration and networking, JIRA enables the emerging scientists to leverage their skills and expertise, ultimately contributing to their long-term success in the field of research.
Overall, the Rsif Junior Investigative Research Award (JIRA) aims to empower post-doctoral scientists by supporting their research endeavours, facilitating career development, and promoting collaborations, all of which contribute to the growth and advancement of research excellence within the organization.
See profiled research projects below:
Additive-assisted Fabrication of Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells
University: African University of Science and Technology (AUST)
Project Leader: Dr. Richard Koech
Collaborating Partners:1. Moi University: (i) Prof Samwel Rotich, Dr. Kiptiemoi Korir and Dr. Geoffrey Yegon, all from Mathematics, Physics and computing Department (ii) Dr. Sarah Chepkwony from Chemistry and Biochemistry Department 2. CEMHTI-CNRS, France: Prof Esidor Ntsoenzo
Duration:2 years
University: African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja.
Project Leader:Dr. David Oluwasegun Afolayan
Collaborating Partners:Professor Winston O. Soboyejo, Interim President, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, USA & Head, Wole Soboyejo Research Groups; Dr. Nelson Yaw Dzade, Head, Minerals and Materials Research Group, Pennsylvania State University, PA, USA ; D
Duration:24 months
Thematic Area: Food security and agribusiness
University: Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
Project Leader: Dr Jean Nepomuscene Hakizimana
Collaborating Partners: Ghent University, Merelbeke, Ghent, Belgium; The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, United Kingdom
Duration: 24 months
Thematic Area: Food security and agribusiness
University: University of Rwanda
Project Leader: Dr. Noel Gahamanyi
Collaborating Partners: Sokoine University of Agriculture; Kansas State University
Duration: 2 years
Robust and Affordable Smart Agri-IoT Technology
Thematic Area: ICTs including big data and artificial intelligence
University: Gaston Berger Université (UGB)
Project Leader: Dr. Emmanuel Effah
Collaborating Partners: Dr William A. Agangiba, Team Member (Senior Lecturer, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, UMaT-Ghana) ; Dr. Ivy Botchway, Team Member (Lecturer, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, UMaT-Ghana) ;Professor Ousmane Thiare, Inter
Duration: 2 years
See more details on awarded projects here.