Leena Tripathi (Kenya)

Dr. Leena Tripathi is the Director of Eastern Africa Hub and leads the Biotechnology Program at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), a member of One CGIAR. She also oversees the Genetic Innovation Science area at IITA. With more than 26 years of experience plant biotechnology, her focus lies in enhancing staple crops like banana/plantain, cassava, and yam to resist diseases and pests, crucial for global food security. She champions a “Science to Practice” approach, ensuring her research translates into practical solutions worldwide. Dr. Tripathi’s scientific achievements have earned her international recognition, including election as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the African Academy of Sciences (AAS).Dr. Tripathi holds a Ph.D. in Botany (Plant Molecular Biology) and an M.Sc. in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. She worked at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, USA before joining IITA. Her multidisciplinary efforts underscore her dedication to advancing agricultural biotechnology, which is crucial for addressing global food security challenges.