Montana State University
Segenet Kelemu went to which school from 1983 to 1985?
Segenet Kelemu Segenet Kelemu ( ) is an Ethiopian scientist , noted for her research as a molecular plant pathologist , and outstanding scientific leadership . For close to three decades , Kelemu and her teams research has contributed to addressing agricultural constraints in Africa , Asia , Latin America and North America . Since 2013 , Kelemu has been the Director General of the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology , Africas only institute dedicated to research on insects and other arthropods . Previously , she was the Director of Biosciences eastern and central Africa ( BecA ) ; Vice President of Programs at the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa ( AGRA ) , and Leader of Crop and Agroecosystem Health Management at the International Center for Tropical Agriculture ( CIAT ) . Kelemu has received many international accolades including : the LOréal-UNESCO Awards for Women in Science in 2014 ; Fellow , TWAS − The World Academy of Sciences ; honorary doctorate by Tel Aviv University , in May 2016 ; recognition as one of Forbes Africa top 100 most influential African women , in May 2014 ; mentioned as one of 10 most influential African women in agriculture by the Journal of Gender , Agriculture and Food Security ( AgriGender Journal ) and election as a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences . Her other honours include : CIATs Outstanding Senior Scientist Award ; Friendship Award granted by the Peoples Republic of China and the TWAS Prize for Agricultural Sciences , by TWAS , The World Academy of Sciences . Early life . Segenet Kelemu was born in the Ethiopian town of Finote Selam in 1957 . Her parents sent their daughters to school , where Kelemu , though exuberant ; prone to challenging and contradicting teachers , demonstrated self-determination and , above all , academic prowess . She was fortunate to have teachers who recognized and nurtured her potential . Like many other children in her village , Kelemu was expected to help out with farming chores . Moreover , from an early age , she displayed a strong sense of responsibility , and as a result , her mother assigned her the task of selling farm produce in the market ; certain that she would negotiate the best prices and keep the money safe . Thus , Kelemu learnt the hard truths about agriculture : its back breaking labour—especially for women , as well challenges to productivity , which placed people in her community in a constant struggle to meet minimum households food needs ; but amidst all , the sectors potential . As a result , she felt a calling to seek solutions for agricultural constraints . Therefore , though an all-round top grade student , Kelemu decided to dedicate herself to science and agriculture . Education . In 1974 , Kelemu became the first woman from her region to join Addis Ababa University—where she was one of five girls in a class of 200—graduating , on top of her class , with a Bachelors degree in 1979 . She then relocated to the US . At Montana State University , she earned a masters degree in plant pathology and genetics in 1985 . She subsequently attended Kansas State University , earning a PhD in molecular biology and plant pathology in 1989 . Her PhD thesis was Molecular cloning and characterization of an avirulence gene from Xanthomonas campestris pv . oryzae . Kelemu undertook postdoctoral research on the molecular determinants of pathogenesis at Cornell University from 1989 to 1992 . Career . Between 1992 and 2007 , Kelemu worked at the International Center for Tropical Agriculture ( CIAT ) , Colombia , first as a Senior Scientist , and later Leader of Crop and Agroecosystem Health Management . Her research focused on elucidation of molecular determinants of host-pathogen interactions , development of novel plant disease control strategies including genetic engineering , biopesticides , pathogen population genetics and dynamics , endophytic microbes and their role in plant development . In August 2007 , Kelemu decided to return to Africa , determined to contribute her experience in applying cutting-edge science to developmental issues , towards resolving the continents problem . She accepted a position as the Director of the Biosciences eastern and central Africa ( BecA ) Hub . Under her leadership , the BecA initiative was transformed from a contentious idea into a driving force that is changing the face of African biosciences . BecAs research capacity , staff , facilities , funding , partners and training programs have expanded at an ever accelerating pace . She has assembled and inspired a scientific and technical team bound by a common passion for using science to enhance Africas biosciences development . In 2013 , Kelemu joined the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa ( AGRA ) as Vice President for Programs for about a year . In November 2013 , Kelemu became the Director General of the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology ( icipe ) , Africas only institution dedicated to research on insects and other arthropods , which is headquartered in Nairobi , Kenya . She is the fourth chief executive and the first woman to head the institution . In January 2018 , Kelemu was singled out by philanthropist Bill Gates as one of five heroes [ whose ] lives inspire me . Personal life . Kelemu is married to Arjan Gijsman and has a daughter named Finote Gijsman . They reside in Nairobi . She enjoys reading biographies .