Florence Muringi Wambugu is a Kenyan plant pathologist and virologist.
Education
She attended the University of Nairobi, Kenya, where she received her Bachelor of Science in botany and zoology.She obtained her Master of Science in pathology from North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, United States of America in 1984. And her Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Bath, England in 1991.
She was also awarded an Honorary Degree (Doctor of Science) from the University of Bath in 2009.
Career
She is known for her advocacy of using biotechnology to increase food production in Africa. AHBFI is a nonprofit foundation with offices in Nairobi, Kenya, Johannesburg, South Africa, and Washington, District of Columbia Previously, she founded, established and worked as Africa Region Director, ISAAA – Afri-center, in Nairobi. From 1978 to 1991, she worked as a senior research officer (pathologist) and coordinator of plant biotechnology research at the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (Korea Aerospace Research Institute), Kenya.
Thereafter (1991–1994), she was a post-doctoral fellow with Monsanto Company.
She has published over 100 articles and co-authored various papers. Florence Wambugu was involved in a project to develop a genetically modified (General Motors) sweet potato.
In February 2004, the science magazine, New Scientist, reported that the project had failed.
Membership
Previously, she served on several board of directors including the Private Sector Committee of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, the United Nations Millennium Development goals Hunger task force. She also was a member of the Executive Committee of Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA). The DuPont Company Biotech Advisory Panel, United States of America.
The International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI, now called Bioversity International), and the African Biotechnology Stakeholders Forum (ABSF).
Currently, she is serving as a Council Member of the Japan Science and Technology in Society (STS) Forum. A Steering committee member of the European Action on Global Life Sciences (EAGLES).
And a Science Board member of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Grand Challenge in Global Health.