Triple Triumph for icipe
30 September 2025: It is a triple celebration at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), with three of our researchers having received globally prestigious recognition and grants, over the past several months.
From longstanding efforts that have strengthened food and nutritional security, horticultural sector, and livelihoods of millions of people; to forward-looking initiatives to tackle neglected tropical diseases and advance malaria control, the achievements of Dr Sunday Ekesi, Deputy Director General, Research for Development; Dr Steve B. S. Baleba, Scientist, Behavioural and Chemical Ecology Unit; and Dr Thomas Ogao Onchuru, Postdoctoral Fellow, Human Health Theme; highlight the growing leadership in scientific innovation at icipe, and in Africa.
“These achievements come at a pivotal time for icipe, as we prepare to launch the Vision and Strategy 2026 – 2030, which envisages a stronger focus for the Centre on climate action, as well as an enhanced role in agrifood systems, reduction of vector-borne diseases burden, and the conservation of the environment and biodiversity,”
- icipe Director General, Dr Abdou Tenkouano.
Dr Ekesi (centre) receiving the Justus von Liebig Award for World Nutrition 2025. Also in the picture is Dr Andrea Fadani (left), Executive Director, Foundation Fiat Panis, and Prof. Dr Christian Borgemeister (right) Director of the Center for Development Research (ZEF)
Dr Ekesi has been honoured with the Justus von Liebig Award for World Nutrition 2025, endowed with €25,000 by the Foundation Fiat Panis. A globally respected entomologist, Dr Ekesi has over the past two decades contributed to the development of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies against invasive fruit pests, the creation and commercialization of biopesticides, and the establishment of icipe’s insects for food, feed and other uses programme.
“Dr Ekesi is a scientist’s scientist – respected by peers, loved by farmers, and trusted by partners worldwide. While he is an excellent scientist, he also always makes sure that icipe’s research addresses real-word problems. He forges alliances and partnerships with diverse stakeholders, ranging from smallholder farmers and growers, industry partners, national programmes, and national and international research partners.” - Prof. Dr Christian Borgemeister, Director of the Center for Development Research (ZEF), who presented the Laudatio at the Award ceremony, held on 10 September 2025, during the Tropentag 2025 Conference in Bonn, Germany.
“The Foundation Fiat Panis supports the generation of knowledge and its application to reduce hunger and poverty in the world. The Board of Trustees is convinced that Dr Ekesi has dedicated his life's work to this mission.” stated Dr Andrea Fadani, Executive Director, Foundation Fiat Panis.
Dr Baleba has received the Wellcome Career Development Award, valued at over USD 2.3 million. Over the next eight years, he will lead an ambitious project to develop eco-friendly, scent-based tools to control filth flies, disease-carrying insects that spread trachoma, diarrhoea and gastrointestinal infections, causing more than 2.2 million deaths annually.
Dr Baleba collecting flies
The aim is to create an innovative “repel-attract” strategy, using natural scents. The tool will be tested in high-risk areas in Africa as a safe, affordable alternative to insecticides, focusing on high-risk sites in Africa countries, aiming to deliver low-cost, species-specific, and environmentally friendly control methods where they are most needed.
“This initiative is about more than just controlling flies.”said Dr Baleba. “It is about protecting people, especially in communities where health risks are greatest. I am honoured to receive this award and look forward to working with partners across Africa to deliver real-world solutions, while also training young African scientists, thus building local expertise in sustainable pest control, public health entomology, and chemical ecology.” he added.
Dr Onchuru has received a Wellcome Early-Career Award valued at over USD 1.0 million to advance icipe’s groundbreaking research on Microsporidia MB, a tiny microbe that lives naturally inside mosquitoes, blocking the transmission of the malaria parasite from the insects to people. First discovered by icipe and partners in 2020, the microbe can spread between mosquitoes from mother to offspring and during mating. However, these pathways are not always efficient, which could limit its use as a large-scale control tool.
Dr Onchuru observing Microsporidia MB in mosquitoes, in the laboratory
Dr Onchuru and his team will investigate exactly how Microsporidia MB is passed between mosquitoes and the factors that help or hinder its spread. Using advanced microscopes, genetic studies, and laboratory and field experiments, the team will track the microbe’s journey through mosquito cells and tissues.
“By unlocking these ‘secrets’, we hope to enhance the natural spread of Microsporidia MB, paving the way for a revolutionary, self-sustaining, and environmentally friendly approach to controlling malaria.” he says.
Notes for Editors
Established in 1970, and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (www.icipe.org), is distinct, being the only research organisation in Africa working primarily on insects and other arthropods. icipe is also the sole institution that combines research and development activities across plant health, human health, animal health and environmental health. icipe generates world-class scientific knowledge and translates it into insect-based, nature-positive, One Health innovations that sustainably transform millions of livelihoods across Africa and beyond. Additionally, icipe nurtures Africa’s talent and leadership in insect-science, through the Centre’s long-standing programmes in doctoral and postdoctoral training, advancement of research and innovation in applied sciences, engineering and technology, and the creation of a bioeconomy, in Africa. The Centre has a staff of about 500 staff, operations in more than 40 countries in Africa, and over 300 partnerships with diverse organizations across the world. For additional information, visit: (www.icipe.org).