World Food Prize Slated for October 12
Dr. Mutegi gathering data from a farmer in Kenya.
OSKALOOSA, Iowa – William Penn University welcomes all students, staff, faculty, and community members to attend the World Food Prize lecture on Wednesday, October 12, at 11:15 a.m. in the George Daily Auditorium. This year’s speaker is Dr. Charity Kawira Mutegi.
Dr. Mutegi, 38, currently serves as the Kenya Country Coordinator for the Aflasafe Project for the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), on assignment from the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI). She was named the 2013 recipient of the Norman Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application, endowed by the Rockefeller Foundation.
Dr. Mutegi spearheaded efforts to identify the cause of, and solution to, a deadly outbreak of aflatoxicosis in 2004—05, fatal to 125 people in eastern Kenya who consumed contaminated grain. Her diligent research led to innovative solutions to avert future outbreaks and safeguard the region’s staple crop of maize. Dr. Mutegi is leading efforts for the development of a biocontrol product in Kenya that can be used to significantly reduce aflatoxin levels in maize. This works by introducing naturally occurring non-toxic strains of the fungus, which have a competitive advantage over the strains that produce the deadly aflatoxin, a technology that was developed by the US Department of Agriculture —Agriculture Research Service (USDA-ARS), and locally adapted for use in several African countries by IITA and partners. The non-toxic strains outcompete the toxic strains, thus reducing aflatoxin contamination in the maize crop. The microbial bio pesticide she and her team are developing — “aflasafe KE01” — is affordable for farmers, is natural and environmentally safe, and once applied to a field, the effects last multiple growing seasons, making it extremely effective.
“Dr. Mutegi is an inspiration to other young scientists around the world. She tackled a critical problem, and has effectively transferred her own scientific knowledge to farmers and policymakers to help improve food safety for the entire region,” said Ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn, President of The World Food Prize. “Like Dr. Borlaug, she has put the needs of people first, and has shown persistence, innovation, effective communication, contribution to science, and application of that science to improve lives and livelihoods.”
Dr. Mutegi was educated at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Post-Harvest Technology. She received her MSc in Food Science and Technology at the University of Nairobi. She earned her PhD at the University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.
Since 1986, The World Food Prize has been the leading international award to recognize outstanding individuals who have made staggering contributions to improve the quality, quantity, or availability of food throughout the world. It recognizes contributions in any field involved in the world food supply including food and agricultural science and technology, manufacturing, marketing, nutrition, economics, poverty alleviation, political leadership and the social sciences. The World Food Prize emphasizes the importance of a nutritious and sustainable food supply for all people. The World Food Prize was originally envisioned by Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, winner of the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize for his work in world agriculture. Beyond recognizing these recipients for their personal accomplishments, Borlaug saw the World Food Prize as a means of establishing role models who would inspire others.
William Penn University invites you to welcome Dr. Charity Kawira Mutegi as the keynote speaker at the World Food Prize lecture on Wednesday, October 12, at 11:15 a.m. in the George Daily Auditorium. This event is free and open to the public.
