icipe continues to solidify its global eminence with increasing awards and recognitions, including three recent international honours accorded to two senior staff members of the Centre

The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) is globally distinct, being the only research institute working primarily on insects and other arthropods. icipe is also the sole institution that combines food security, human health, animal health and environment health. Moreover, the Centre is a model of scientific eminence, uniquely blending the generation of world-class knowledge, and its translation into nature-based, One Health, systems-approach, inclusive innovations that transform the livelihoods of millions of people across Africa.
 
Over the past 10 years, icipe has solidified its status as a truly global centre of excellence, signified, in part, by a massive expansion in the awards and recognitions. During the last five years alone, a total of 155 honours have been given to the Centre and its various research teams. icipe acknowledges these awards as a sign of appreciation and endorsement of our work by the global community. Recently, two team members of the Centre have received the accolades outlined below.
 
Menale Kassie, Principal Scientist and Head, Social Sciences and Impact Assessment Unit: 2022 TWAS Siwei Cheng Award in Economic Sciences
The TWAS Honours, which are awarded by TWAS, The World Academy of Sciences and its partners, are among the most prestigious recognitions for research in the developing world. They recognise outstanding achievements and contributions to science, and acknowledge the best work of scientists from the global South.
 
The TWAS Siwei Cheng Award in Economic Sciences is named after renowned Chinese economist, chemical engineer and major political figure economist, Siwei Cheng (1935-2015). It is made through funding from the Siwei Cheng Foundation of the Education Foundation of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Dr Kassie has been recognised for producing seminal knowledge on the adoption of multiple agricultural technologies and practices, and their impacts on social, livelihoods and the environment in complex social and agricultural environments. His research has significantly reshaped understanding of these critical areas, making him a frequently cited scholar in his field globally. Overall, Dr Kassie has led the expansion of the icipe Social Science and Impact Assessment Unit, thus enabling critical insights on the dissemination, adoption, socio-economic benefits and gender inclusiveness of icipe’s technologies and strategies. Read more
 
icipe Director General, Dr Segenet Kelemu, has been decorated with the second highest award of France; the title of Officier de L’Ordre national du Mérite (Officer in the National Order of Merit). The honour is awarded by the President of France to French citizens as well as foreign nationals, to recognise and reward distinguished merits in diverse fields such as science, economics and politics among others. Dr Kelemu has been rewarded for: her long and outstanding career in science; scientific leadership, and making science work for humanity; and building cooperation between icipe and French scientists. She becomes the first Ethiopian, and one of a handful of Africans that have received this honour.
 
 “Under Dr Kelemu’s leadership, impactful results have been achieved by icipe in cooperation with researchers from around the world. They include French researchers from the Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), and the National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD).” –His Excellency Mr Arnaud Suquet, the Ambassador of France to Kenya and to Somalia. Press Release
 
Dr Kelemu has also received an honorary doctorate degree of Doctor of Philosophy Honoris Causa from
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel, for her outstanding scientific leadership in helping build a food secure Africa (Watch video). Named after Israel's founder and first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, the university is one of Israel’s leading research insitutions and among the world leaders in many fields. Dr Kelemu was one of six distinguished individuals that received the doctorates this year. The others are: Global Health Advocate Dr Chelsea Clinton; philanthropist Patrick Drahi; water engineer Prof. Menachem Elimelech; philanthropist Esther Halperin; and Justice Prof. Elyakim Rubinstein.
 
“All of you dear laurates, citizens of the world from diverse fields of activity, embody the spirit of constant innovation and reinvention. You make a profound difference in the world, and I have no doubt that David Ben-Gurion would have been referring to you when he spoke of pioneers, and of the pioneering spirit capable of guiding them.”Ben-Gurion University of the Negev President Prof. Daniel Chamovitz.  Press Release
 


Notes for Editors

The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (www.icipe.org): headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, is the only research institution in Africa working primarily on insects and other arthropods. The Centre conducts world-class science, and then translates this knowledge into innovate environmentally friendly, affordable, accessible and easy to use solutions to tackle crop pests and disease vectors. icipe’s role also extends to the conservation and sustainable exploitation of the beneficial insect biodiversity. Thus, icipe works through the 4Hs Themes – Human Health, Animal Health, Plant Health and Environmental Health – a holistic and integrated framework that has sustainable development as its basis, to improve food security, health and the overall well-being of communities in Africa. We gratefully acknowledge the support of icipe core donors: Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida); Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Government of the Republic of Kenya. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the donors.

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