Dr. Tonnang holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics in Zoology from University of Nairobi, two Master of Science degrees in Electric and Electronic Engineering, and in Physics, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, all from the from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

Prior to joining icipe, he worked as a Technology Transfer and Outreach Expert for the AfDB Programme on Technology for African Agriculture Transformation (TAAT) implemented by International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)-Cotonou, Benin. He has also worked for International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) as Geospatial Agronomist (Climate Change Expert). In addition, he previously worked for icipe as Senior Research Scientist- Modeler/Data Scientist, having moved from International Potato Centre (CIP) Peru, where he worked as Postdoctoral Research Scientist.

Dr. Tonnang extended his research area to establishing and managing multicultural teams of ICT specialists, health scientists, agronomists, entomologists, biologists, plant pathologists, plant breeders, extension workers, soil/climate scientists, and economists to develop the next generation of decision-making tools, models, software and mobile phone apps for crops, pests and diseases’ management. His work encompasses the development and application of advanced data analytics and approaches like data/model fusion to enhance health and agriculture transformation in Africa and beyond.  His research further focuses on developing algorithms for data reconstruction from published articles.

He is based at icipe Duduville Campus.