Fifteen icipe scientists named among the World’s Top 2% Scientists ranking

A total of fifteen (15) icipe scientists have been recognized in the 2025 edition of the World’s Top 2% Scientists rankingreleased by Stanford University and published by Elsevier in October 2026. The annual ranking is a globally respected benchmark that recognizes leading researchers across a wide range of scientific fields. The ranking is based on standardized citation metrics from Elsevier’s Scopus database, which evaluates the impact of scientists’ work through academic citations and the quality of the peer-reviewed journals in which their research appears.

icipe scientists have maintained a presence in successive editions of the World’s Top 2% Scientists ranking from 2020 edition to-date since the first Elsevier 2018 edition release in 2019, reflecting the sustained contribution and international visibility of the Centre’s research. The continued recognition of icipe scientists in this prestigious ranking reaffirms the Centre’s position as a leading research institution, with its researchers advancing impactful discoveries to address regional and global challenges.

Key 2025 Edition Highlights: 15 total icipe scientists recognized across the two ranking categories (i) 14 scientists recognized for single-year impact; and (ii) 5 scientists recognized for career-long impact, 4 of whom are also recognised for single-year impact.

1.    Recognized for Single Recent Year Impact

This list highlights researchers based on their citations during the most recent calendar year. This reflects icipe’s high current impact and research relevance:

1. Dr Sunday Ekesi

2. Dr Menale B. Kassie (former icipe scientist)

3. Dr Chrysantus M. Tanga

4. Dr Kibrom Tadesse Sibhatu

5. Prof. Zeyaur Rahman Khan

6. Dr Tadele M. Tefera

7. Dr Edouard Henri Zefack Tonnang (former icipe scientist)

8. Dr Sevgan Subramanian

9. Prof. Baldwyn Torto

10. Dr Thomas Dubois

11. Dr Dennis Beesigamukama

12. Dr Fathiya Mbarak Khamis

13. Prof. Rosemary C. Sang

14. Dr Ulrike Fillinger 

2.    Recognized for Career-Long Impact

This list acknowledges researchers for the overall sustained impact of their work throughout their careers:

1. Dr Sunday Ekesi*

2. Dr Tadele M. Tefera*

3. Prof. Baldwyn Torto*

4. Prof. Zeyaur Rahman Khan*

5. Dr Daniel K. Masiga

* Also recognized for single-year impact

icipe’s Sustained Recognition in the World’s Top 2% Scientists Ranking

icipe scientists have maintained a presence in successive editions of the World’s Top 2% Scientists ranking from 2020 edition to-date since the first Elsevier 2018 edition release in 2019, reflecting the sustained contribution and international visibility of the Centre’s research. 

For 2024 World’s Top 2%, a total of 12 icipe scientists were recognised: 11 recognized for Single Recent Year Impact (Sunday Ekesi, Menale Kassie, Chrysantus Tanga, Kibrom Sibhatu, Zeyaur Khan, Tadele Tefera, Baldwyn Torto, Henri Tonnang, Thomas Dubois, Sevgan Subramanian, and Rosemary Sang) and 3 recognized for Career-Long Impact (Sunday Ekesi, Tadele Tefera, and Daniel Masiga). 

For 2023 World’s Top 2%, a total of 9 icipe scientists were recognised:  8 recognized for Single Recent Year Impact (Menale Kassie, Sunday Ekesi, Zeyaur Khan, Tadele Tefera, Chrysantus Tanga, Baldwyn Torto, Saliou Niassy, and Ulrike Fillinger) and 2 recognized for Career-Long Impact (Sunday Ekesi, and Daniel Masiga). 

For 2022 World’s Top 2%, a total of 7 icipe scientists were recognised:  7 recognized for Single Recent Year Impact (Menale Kassie, Sunday Ekesi, Tadele Tefera, Zeyaur Khan, Baldwyn Torto, Chrysantus Tanga, and Daniel Masiga) and 2 recognized for Career-Long Impact (Sunday Ekesi, and Daniel Masiga). 

For 2021 World’s Top 2%, a total of 7 icipe scientists were recognised:  6 recognized for Single Recent Year Impact (Menale Kassie, Sunday Ekesi, Tadele Tefera, Zeyaur Khan, Baldwyn Torto, and Ulrike Fillinger) and 2 recognized for Career-Long Impact (Sunday Ekesi and Daniel Masiga). 

For 2020 World’s Top 2%, a total of 6 icipe scientists were recognised:  6 recognized for Single Recent Year Impact (Menale Kassie, Sunday Ekesi, Tadele Tefera, Zeyaur Khan, Baldwyn Torto, and Nguya Kalemba Maniania) and 1 recognized for Career-Long Impact (Sunday Ekesi). 

For 2019 World’s Top 2%, a total of 7 icipe scientists were recognised:  7 recognized for Single Recent Year Impact (Menale Kassie, Monica Fisher, Sunday Ekesi, Zeyaur Khan, Tadele Tefera, Nguya K. Maniania, and Baldwyn Torto) and 1 recognized for Career-Long Impact (Sunday Ekesi).