People
ETH Zurich
Johan Six
Role
Professor Six’s research focuses on the feedbacks between agroecosystem management options, biogeochemical cycling, food system functioning and global change. More specifically, his group studies how management affects the complex interactions between soil, plants, and carbon and nutrient fluxes within agroecosystems and its implications for food system functioning within a continuously changing global environment.
Sharon Migeri
Sharon is a professor for Sustainable Agroecosystems.
She comes from Zimbabwe, and she pursued her studies in Agricultural Sciences at the University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. She decided to focus more on human waste management during her PhD. Today, her objective in the RUNRES project is to implement sustainable innovations for waste recycling and upscale them in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Antoine de Clippele
Antoine works as a scientific assistant in the SAE group. He comes from Belgium, and he graduated in Environmental Sciences at the Université catholique de Louvain (Belgium). After working in Mozambique for about two years and going back to academia for a while, he started supporting the TropSEDs project in the group and he is now also involved in fundamental research on methane and carbon dioxide emissions in Africa.
Leonhard Späth
Leonhard Späth is a social scientist at the Sustainable Agroecosystems’ Group (SAE) and Transdisciplinarity Lab (TdLab) at ETH Zurich, Switzerland. His focus is the integration of different stakeholders’ perspectives to co-design projects.
Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW)
Hsien - Ju Wang
Hsien-Ju Wang, based in Zurich, Switzerland, holds a Master of Science – MS in Circular Economy Management. She is currently a Business Development Coordinator at ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences.
Nico Pfändler
Master’s graduate in Business Innovation with a focus on sustainability & digitalization and international experience in strategy, marketing, communications, business development & research. Nico is currently a project Manager and Research Associate at Circular Economy Lab, at the ZHAW School of Management and Law.
Swiss Agency Developmental and Cooperation (SDC)
Manfred Kaufmann
Programme Officer, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), (shares a seat with Andreas Sicks) Switzerland
University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
Alfred Odindo
Dr Odindo is a Crop Scientist with over 20 years’ experience in teaching and research. His current research focuses on understanding the interactions between engineering (sanitation innovations), agriculture and social systems and their application in seeking practical solutions to the global challenges of water, energy, food security and environmental pollution. Odindo recently received the Research Knowledge Tree Award in the category “Human Capital Development in the Water and Science Sector” from the Water Research Commission (WRC) in recognition of his contribution to human capital development in the water sector.
Ndoda Zondo
Simon Gwara holds a BSc and MSc in Agricultural Economics from the University of Zimbabwe in 2007 and 2011 respectively.
He has acquired research experience in crop-livestock intensification systems, agricultural technology adoption, agricultural innovation systems, and food and nutrition security analysis especially within smallholder farming communities. His research interest is sustainability science, waste management, systems and complex thinking, transdisciplinary research and choice modelling.
Simon Gwara
Simon Gwara holds a BSc and MSc in Agricultural Economics from the University of Zimbabwe in 2007 and 2011 respectively.
He began his research carrier as a Research Associate in the Socio-Economics Program of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) Southern Africa National Office (SARO) where he conducted research in Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe in various projects for more than 2 years. He later joined International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) as a Research Associate for 2 years. Before that he had worked as a credit officer at the biggest agricultural bank in Zimbabwe, AGRIBANK for more than one and half years before briefly joining the USAID funded ZIMAIED program as a Credit Officer for the International Relief and Development (IRD).
Paul Jones
Paul holds an Honours Degree in Economics from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and has 14 years’ experience as a development economist and project manager. Paul started his career in 2008 as a junior development economist and has since been involved in a diverse range of projects across KZN and South Africa. Through these projects, Paul has developed a variety of skills including socio-economic research, strategic and business planning, economic and value chain analysis, policy and strategy development, stakeholder engagement and facilitation, market demand and feasibility assessments, and project management.
Leeroy Rupande
Leeroy Rupande is pursuing a Master of Science in Agriculture, focusing on optimising biochar and urine application rates for improved soil health and productivity. His research interests include sustainable agriculture, soil science, and innovative farming practices. With experience in community engagement, especially with smallholder farmers, and participation in church initiatives, Leeroy is passionate about addressing societal challenges. He aspires to become a leader in sustainable agricultural solutions, improving food security and empowering communities through environmentally conscious farming practices.
Nqobile Nkomo
Master of Science – MS, Agriculture
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Rwanda
Matieyedou (Abdou) Konlambigue
Mr. Konlambigue holds a Master’s degree in Rural Economics from the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium, and an Engineer degree in Agronomy (Major: Agricultural Economics) from the University of Lomé’s School of Agronomy. He also graduated with an MBA from the Lancaster School of Management at the University of Lancaster in UK.
Matieyedou (Abdou) Konlambigue is a private sector development professional with more than 18 years of experience developing sustainable agricultural market systems, agricultural value chains, commercialization of agricultural innovations, and innovative financing solutions for food systems.
Emmanuel Rukundo
Emmanuel is based in Kigali, Kigali City, RW, is currently a Associate Researcher at The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). Emmanuel brings experience from previous roles at World Bank Group and LWH (Land husbandry, Water harvesting and Hillside irrigation). He holds a 2015 – 2017 Master’s degree in Environmental Science from Beijing Normal University.
Justine Mucyo
Justine is based in Kigali, Kigali City, RW, is currently a Agribusiness Specialist at International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). She brings experience from previous roles at Agriterra and Holland Greentech Rwanda, and she holds a 2021 – 2023 Master of Science in Project Management in Project Management from the University of Kigali.
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), DRC
Moustapha Byamungu Kigangu
Christian Mwemezi
MPhil in Economics from the University of Ghana
Kokou Kintche
Kokou Kintche, from Togo, is a SARD-SC Soil Fertility Specialist. He obtained his PhD at the Universities of Burgundy (France) and Lomé (Togo) (2009 to 2011) with collaboration from CIRAD (France) and the Togolese Institute of Agricultural Research (ITRA). He specialized in soil fertility management and modeling. He obtained the “Diplôme d’Ingénieur Agronome” and “Diplôme des Etudes Approfondies (DEA)” from the University of Lomé in 2004 and 2008, respectively.
Arba Minch University, Ethiopia
Teklu Wegayehu
Dr. Teklu Wegayehu is a prominent researcher and academic affiliated with Arba Minch University in Ethiopia, where he has been contributing to the field of medical and environmental sciences since 2013. His academic journey also includes a significant tenure at Addis Ababa University from 2013 to 2017.
With a robust background in both research and community health, Dr. Wegayehu continues to play a vital role in shaping public health policies and practices in Ethiopia, making significant strides towards addressing pressing health issues.
Abayneh Feyso Ergetew
Dedicated and results-oriented professional, bringing extensive experience in project management, teaching, and socio-economic research.
Kinfe Kassa
Doctor of PhilosophyAssociate Professor at Arba Minch University
Jerene Wondwossen
Dr. Wondwossen Jerene has earned his PhD in Finance from Punjabi Univerity, Patiala, India in 2020. For the last 14 years he is serving as assistant professor in the department of Accounting and Finance, Arba Minch University. He is currently working as Director for Entrepreneurship Development and Incubation Centre. Additionally, Dr. Wondwossen is leading principal investigator and coordinator of € 445,090 budgeted project named JOB-FEET, among the budget € 389,790 is funded by EU and Germany government under African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), SIFA Window III.