During its Annual General Meeting held on 21 November 2025, the icipe Governing Council, which consists of globally renowned scientists, honoured seven outstanding postgraduate scholars, currently undertaking their research at the Centre.
Best published science paper by an icipe scholar
Kokou Rodrigue Fiaboe (PhD, Togo)
icipe Mentors: Dr Fathiya Khamis and Prof Baldwyn Torto
Paper: Fiaboe, K. R., Khamis, F. M., Cheseto, X., Yusuf, A. A., & Torto, B. (2025). Nanosilica supplementation in tomato increases oviposition on stems and caterpillar mortality in the tomato pinworm. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), 122(13), e2427314122. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2427314122 IF 9.1
Contribution to Science: This study provides pioneering evidence that mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) fundamentally reshape plant–insect interactions by enhancing tomato biochemical defenses against the tomato pinworm (TPW). The research uncovers a new silicon-mediated defensive mechanism in which TPW oviposition triggers the formation of a pigmented mass in glandular trichome type I, enriched with a distinct mixture of sugars (l-arabinose, sucrose) and waxes (notably tetracosane). This phytochemical shift attracts female moths to oviposit on stems, yet simultaneously induces high mortality in neonate caterpillars, thereby reducing plant damage. The work demonstrates that these sugar–wax combinations not only modify herbivore behavior and survival but also restructure the caterpillar gut microbiome, altering metabolic pathways and leading to production of specific frass volatiles. These volatiles, in turn, play a key ecological role by attracting natural enemies, including the predator Nesidiocoris tenuis and parasitoid Neochrysocharis formosa, thereby strengthening indirect plant defense. Collectively, this research elucidates a multilayered silicon-driven defense system integrating plant chemistry, insect physiology, microbial ecology, and tritrophic interactions. It opens new avenues for sustainable pest management by showing how silicon supplementation can simultaneously enhance plant resilience, disrupt pest development, and promote biological control.
Funding: The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support for this research by the African Union (AURG II-2-123-2018). In addition, the authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of our core donors: the Government of Norway; the German Fund International Agricultural Research (FIA), commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and administered through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ); the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC); the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR); the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA); and the Government of the Republic of Kenya (Ministry of Education, State Department of University Education and Research).
“The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the donors.”
University: The scholar graduated from University of Pretoria, South Africa.
Emmanuel Peter (PhD, Nigeria)
icipe Mentors: Dr Amanuel Tamiru, Prof Baldwyn Torto, and Dr Subramanian Sevgan
Publication Title: Peter, E., Yusuf, A., Subramanian, S., Kruger, K., Green, K.K., Anderson, P., Torto, B. and Tamiru, A. (2024). Crop mixtures influence fall armyworm infestation and natural enemy abundance in maize-based intercropping systems. Journal of Crop Health, 76:1491–1505. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10343-024-01061-0 IF 3.1
Contribution to Science: This study demonstrates that intercropping maize with edible companion crops (beans, sweet potato, and groundnut) significantly reduces Spodoptera frugiperda egg laying, larval infestation, and crop damage, while improving yields compared to maize monoculture and cassava intercrop. The research reinforces the concept of associational resistance and provides new insights into the temporal dynamics of fall armyworm (FAW) infestation relative to maize development, with peak pest pressure occurring between vegetative stages V4 and V10. Correlation analyses further reveal that abiotic factors, particularly temperature and humidity, shape both FAW population dynamics and the abundance of natural enemies. Notably, intercropped systems supported higher populations of key predators such as lady beetles and earwigs, indicating strengthened top-down control through enhanced biodiversity. A novel scientific contribution of this work is the identification of Campoletis pedunculata as a previously undocumented larval parasitoid of FAW in Africa. Laboratory parasitism assays confirmed its ability to attack early instar larvae, highlighting its potential as a native or locally adapted biological control agent and expanding the repertoire of natural enemies available for sustainable FAW management on the continent. This follow-up field study represents an important step in advancing ecologically based pest management by translating earlier laboratory findings on volatile-mediated tritrophic interactions into practical applications for smallholder farming. By validating these ecological mechanisms under field conditions, the study bridges the gap between fundamental research and real-world implementation. Overall, the findings strengthen the case for agroecological intensification, demonstrating that crop diversification offers a scalable, affordable, and sustainable alternative to pesticide-dependent monocultures in sub-Saharan Africa and other tropical regions.
Funding: The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support for this research by the European Union (EU), FAW-IPM project, grant number DCI-FOOD/2018/402- 634; EU funded H2020 Research & Innovation UPSCALE project - Grant agreement ID: 861998; and the Swedish Research Council (Grant Number 2019-04267). In addition, the authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of our core donors: the Government of Norway; the German Fund International Agricultural Research (FIA), commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and administered through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ); the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC); the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR); the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA); and the Government of the Republic of Kenya (Ministry of Education, State Department of University Education and Research).
“The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the donors.”
University: The scholar graduated from the University of Pretoria, South Africa.
Lilian Mbaisi Ang’ang’o (PhD, Kenya)
icipe Mentor: Dr Jeremy K. Herren
Publication Title: Ang’ang’o, L. M., Herren, J. K., & Tastan Bishop, Ö. (2024). Bioinformatics analysis of the Microsporidia sp. MB genome: A malaria transmission-blocking symbiont of the Anopheles arabiensis mosquito. BMC Genomics, 25(1), 1132.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-024-11046-y IF 3.7
Contribution to Science: This study provides the first publicly available reference genome and curated functional annotation of Microsporidia sp. MB, a naturally occurring symbiont that blocks malaria transmission in Anopheles arabiensis. The analysis enhances comparative genomics of microsporidia and uncovers key molecular pathways involved in host–symbiont interactions, such as secretory mechanisms, transporters, and enzyme classes. It also advances our understanding of genome reduction and RNA interference (RNAi) pathways in microsporidia. Through comparison with related species, the research positions Microsporidia MB in its evolutionary context and generates testable hypotheses for future functional research. This genomic resource serves as a foundation for translational studies aiming to exploit Microsporidia MB as a novel, symbiont-based malaria control strategy.
Funding: The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support for this research by the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD); Coefficient Giving (SYMBIOVECTOR - Phase 1); the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA); and Gates Foundation (INV-0225840). In addition, the authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of our core donors: the Government of Norway; the German Fund International Agricultural Research (FIA), commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and administered through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ); the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC); the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR); the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA); and the Government of the Republic of Kenya (Ministry of Education, State Department of University Education and Research).
“The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the donors.”
University: The scholar graduated from Rhodes University, South Africa.
Best science poster by an icipe scholar
Khadija Juma Nyendesi (MSc, Kenya)
icipe Mentors: Dr Jeremy Herren and Dr Priscille Barreaux
Poster Title: Microsporidia MB infection amplifies the sublethal impact of permethrin in Anopheles arabiensis
Contribution to Science: This study provides some of the first evidence that Microsporidia MB strengthens the impact of permethrin on malaria vectors (Anopheles arabiensis). It demonstrate that MB infection interacts with permethrin-treated Olyset® nets to intensify feeding inhibition, amplify sublethal physiological costs and reduce overall mosquito survival. Revealing a powerful MB-pyrethroid synergy that standard WHO susceptibility tests fail to capture. Importantly, this study uncovers hidden sublethal costs (beyond acute mortality) through direct comparisons between infected and uninfected mosquitoes, highlighting biological outcomes overlooked by traditional resistance assays. This work establishes Microsporidia MB as a natural symbiont modulator that enhances ITN efficacy and opens new ecological and molecular research avenues. By demonstrating how MB boosts the operational performance of ITN especially in moderately resistant mosquito populations my findings suggests its potential to restore susceptibility and improve epidemiological impact. Overall, this study introduces a transformative approach to vector control: Integrating microbial symbionts with chemical interventions. Thus, symbiont-based strategies offer innovative and indirect mechanisms to reduce vectorial capacity beyond mosquito killing, paving the way for future translational opportunities in integrated malaria control.
Funding: The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support for this research from: Coefficient Giving (SYMBIOVECTOR - Phases 1 & 2); and the Gates Foundation (INV-0225840). In addition, the authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of our core donors: the Government of Norway; the German Fund International Agricultural Research (FIA), commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and administered through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ); the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC); the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR); the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA); and the Government of the Republic of Kenya (Ministry of Education, State Department of University Education and Research). “The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the donors.”
University: The scholar is registered at the University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Aclaine Shisia Kitiavi (MSc, Kenya)
icipe Mentors: Dr Tullu Bukhari, Dr Thomas Onchuru, and Dr Jeremy Herren
Poster Title: Vertical and horizontal transmission dynamics of Microsporidia MB in Anopheles and Culex mosquitoes
Contribution to Science: This study contributes to malaria vector control research by improving our understanding of the transmission routes of Microsporidia MB, a naturally occurring symbiont that blocks Plasmodium development in mosquitoes. The research demonstrates efficient vertical transmission of MicrosporidiaMB in Anopheles arabiensis, with associated improvements in development rate and survival of infected offspring. It also reveals that Culex mosquitoes can acquire the symbiont via horizontal transmission through ingestion, but both horizontal and vertical transmission in this genus remain very low. These findings are critical for informing mass-rearing protocols of Microsporidia MB-infected mosquitoes and providing key estimates for mathematical models to predict the outcomes of various dissemination strategies. Overall, the study supports the potential use of Microsporidia MB as a self-sustaining biological tool for malaria control.
Funding: The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support for this research from: the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD); the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA); Coefficient Giving (SYMBIOVECTOR - Phase 1); and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (INV-0225840). In addition, the authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of our core donors: the Government of Norway; the German Fund International Agricultural Research (FIA), commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and administered through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ); the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC); the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR); the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA); and the Government of the Republic of Kenya (Ministry of Education, State Department of University Education and Research). “The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the donors.”
University: The scholar is registered at Maseno University, Kenya.
Margaret Wambui Wahome (PhD, Kenya)
icipe Mentors: Prof Rosemary Sang and Dr David Tchouassi
Poster Title: Arbovirus Circulation, Diversity and Potential Human, Livestock and Rodent Exposures in Kenya: A One-Health Approach
Contribution to Science: Arboviruses (arthropod borne viruses) are a major global threat to human and animal health, causing symptoms ranging from acute febrile illness to severe neurological and hemorrhagic disease which often manifest in outbreaks. Recently, their emergence and re-emergence is increasing primarily due to complex transmission cycles involving diverse vectors and vertebrate hosts, climate change, urbanization and global trade. In remote parts of developing countries like Kenya where medical diagnostics and surveillance capacity are limited, arbovirus infections often go undetected or are misdiagnosed resulting in underreporting of the potential disease burden, socio-economic and public health impact. This hinders risk estimation resulting in insufficient outbreak preparedness and response efforts. To address this, we adopted a one-health approach to survey possible circulation of arboviruses in syndromic and non-syndromic livestock, rodents and humans in the high risk arid and semi-arid pastoral ecosystems in Kenya. We detected two zoonotic arboviruses; West Nile Virus and Ngari virus in febrile human patients, syndromic and non-syndromic livestock and rodents, indicating their role as a significant cause of fever of unknown origin in these regions. The findings are crucial for informed decision making on disease prevention and control through early detection and preparedness.
Funding: The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support for this research from the German Research Foundation (DFG) grant number (JU 2857/9-1 and JU2857/9-2 to S.J.). In addition, the authors gratefully acknowledge the financial and technical support of our core donors: the Government of Norway; the German Fund International Agricultural Research (FIA), commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and administered through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ); the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC); the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR); the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA); and the Government of the Republic of Kenya (Ministry of Education, State Department of University Education and Research). “The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the donors.”
University: The scholar is registered at the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa.
Marc Marin Agbodjan (PhD, Togo)
icipe Mentors: Dr Sokame Bonoukpoe Mawuko, Dr Frank Chidawanyika, and Dr Daniel Mutyambai
Poster Title: A novel soil fertility index for guiding decision making on soil management and sustainable agriculture in Eastern Africa
Contribution to Science: This work contributes to science by developing a spatially index that integrates multiple soil parameters through a standardized rule-based system first high-resolution, tri-country soil fertility maps for Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. It advances current knowledge by identifying priority intervention zones that were previously unmapped. The workflow is robust, reproducible, and scalable, providing a new scientific foundation for nutrient management, land restoration, and sustainable agricultural planning in data-limited regions.
Funding: The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support for this research from the IKEA Foundation (G-2204-02144). In addition, the authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of our core donors: the Government of Norway; the German Fund International Agricultural Research (FIA), commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and administered through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ); the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC); the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR); the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA); and the Government of the Republic of Kenya (Ministry of Education, State Department of University Education and Research). “The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the donors.”
University: The scholar is registered at the University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.