Justine Germo Nzweundji
Plant biologist From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dr. Justine Germo Nzweundji is a plant biotechnologist from Cameroon. She is the president of the Cameroon Academy of Young Scientists,[1] and was a 2011 fellow of the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards.[2]
Dr. Justine Germo Nzweundji | |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Cameroon |
| Alma mater | University of Yaoundé I |
| Known for | Cultivation techniques for Prunus africana |
| Awards | L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Fellowship |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Plant biotechnology |
Nzweundji received her doctorate from the University of Yaoundé. During her studies, she also conducted research at the University of Florida Tropical Research and Educational Center and at Alabama A&M University between 2011 and 2013.[3] Her work abroad from Cameroon was supported in part by a L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science fellowship.[4][5]
Nzweundji's doctoral thesis was on the topic on Prunus africana, a tree which is harvested for medicinal products made from its bark. In addition to its long history in traditional medicine, it may potentially be used as part of a treatment for prostate cancer. Nzweundji worked on developing a technique to harvest sustainably, providing long-term income for the local community while maintaining a healthy tree population.[3] Over-exploitation is a threat to the trees in the wild, so for large industrial projects Nzweundji has considered the use of in-vitro production to preserve as many live trees as possible.[2][6]
In 2022 Nzweundji received the University of Michigan African Presidential Scholars (UMAPS) for a project on Science policy. Nzweundji 2018, accepted a postdoctoral fellowship to work at Hochschule Geisenheim University.[3] She currently works at the Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies/Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation in Cameroon. She began working there during her studies and returned after research projects abroad. She continues to investigate Prunus africana.[7]
Nzweundji has participated in international science forums.[8] She is keen to engage and mentor other young scientists and took on the role of president for the Cameroon Academy of Young Scientists.[3] She organises public speaking events to foster science communication and outreach based on the "Three-minute thesis" format.[9]
Nzweundji is also sits on the steering committee for the International Network for Government Science Advice (INGSA) Africa since 2016.[7][10] Nzweundji has collaborated with international researchers to discuss scholarly communication,[11] as well as inequities in research and how they are exacerbated by COVID-19.[12]
- 2016 National finalist for "ma thèse en 180 secondes" in Cameroon.[13]
- 2015 Junior researcher prize at the Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies.[3][7]
- 2011 Fellow of the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards.[2]
- 2022 Fellow of the University of Michigan African Presidential Scholars (UMAPS)
Wikiwand in your browser!
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.
Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.
