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The podcast airs biweekly on Mondays and is hosted by Anne Chisa, also known as Anne with an E. The show revolves around interviews with individuals involved in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) from across the globe, all united by the hashtag #AfricansInSTEM. The guests have the opportunity to share their personal stories, highlighting the "ROOT" of their science and engaging in profound conversations beyond the scientific realm. The goal is to create a premier global platform for Africans in STEM, highlighting their invaluable contributions and showcasing and humanizing their experiences. Through these conversations, we challenge stereotypes about the appearance of scientists, promote the richness of diversity within STEM fields, educate the world, and most importantly, inspire the generations to be motivated to get into science.
*Disclaimer: The views expressed by the guests in the podcast episodes do not reflect my own*
*Disclaimer: The views expressed by the guests in the podcast episodes do not reflect my own*
178 Episodes
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Send us a text Imagine turning any safe space: under a tree, in a hall, or a small classroom, into a working chemistry lab. That’s the promise of the CIA kit from Chemistry in Action. We engage Viloshnee Singh, the CEO of V4 Group and founder of Chemistry in Action to unpack how a simple, affordable tool can improve science education across Africa. We talk about the access gap in STEM, why so many learners experience science only in textbooks, and what it takes to bring real experiments...
Send us a text Half the world lives at risk of at least one neglected tropical disease, yet these illnesses remain underfunded, misunderstood, and hidden behind stigma. Our host, Anne Chisa, speaks with public health practitioner Michael Ofire to unpack what “neglect” really means, how NTDs entrench poverty and how policy, primary care, and community action can break the cycle. Michael Ofire shares practical wins, funding ideas, and a hopeful path to 2030 through African-led res...
Send us a text When we think of bees, we rarely imagine them meeting technology. Yet for Albert Mutangiri, a lifelong beekeeper and CEO of Blue Bean Software, innovation and nature go hand in hand. In this episode of the Root of the Science Podcast, host Anne Chisa explores HivePulse, a smart monitoring system that uses sensors and data analytics to track hive health, boost pollination, and strengthen food security. Albert shares how his passion for beekeeping led to creating a globally use...
Send us a text Imagine walking 50km to see a doctor versus getting treated from your phone. In Kenya, there’s just one doctor for every 5,000 people, far below the WHO’s recommended standard. Long queues, high costs, and staff shortages make access difficult. In this episode of Rooted in Health II, Anne Chisa speaks with Dr. Karl Daniel, a medical doctor and healthcare entrepreneur, on how TIBU Health’s hybrid model is making healthcare accessible through in-person care, pharmacies, mobile c...
Send us a text Maboang Matlou, founder of Lefakong Farm, shares her journey transforming a family farm into a thriving moringa enterprise that addresses nutrition, climate change and economic development simultaneously. Maboang's story is a masterclass in agricultural innovation and perseverance. Get started with moringa farming by listening to Maboang explain the research, planning your market strategy, planting, and maintaining consistency. Support the show Follow the show on: Twit...
Send us a text What if the future of African agriculture lies not in expensive technology, but in understanding the hidden genetic code of livestock that have survived drought, disease, and harsh conditions for generations? Dr. Keabetswe Ncube takes us on a journey into agrigenomics - the science of using genetics to improve crops and livestock for healthier, stronger farming systems. From her childhood in Pella Village, bottle-feeding orphaned goats to founding her own agricultu...
Send us a text What happens when life-saving funding disappears? How do healthcare systems adapt? Can domestic resources fill the gap? The sudden freeze of US aid disbursements in January sent shockwaves through healthcare systems across Africa. Six months later, what was once a policy announcement has turned into a devastating reality for millions who depend on life-saving HIV and TB services. Stepping into the aftermath of these cuts, we explore the human cost behind the headlines, t...
Send us a text With the continent's population projected to reach 2.6 billion by 2050, food production must increase by 70% amidst growing challenges from climate. Valentine Emmanuel, a Nigerian agricultural scientist, shares his innovative approach to solving Africa's food security challenges through sustainable farming techniques and entrepreneurship. Valentine's research on the cyclone nutrient economy repurposes treated wastewater for hydroponic farming, to make this farming system affor...
Send us a text What if the ground beneath your feet could tell you exactly when our ancestors walked the Earth? Dr. Tebogo Makhubela, a geologist from Soweto and a recent National Geographic Wayfinder Award winner, followed his scientific passion and is now uncovering these ancient stories as a National Geographic Explorer. This conversation takes us from when he bravely chose geology without financial backing despite pressure to pursue more conventional careers, to his work dating fos...
Send us a text When 50 girls from underprivileged communities gathered at the Dream Women in STEM Technovation Summit in Durban, something big happened. In just three days, these young innovators became creators, inventors and problem-solvers who dared to reimagine their worlds and their futures. The summit challenged participants to develop solutions addressing real community problems through science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The result was innovations tha...
Send us a text What happens when passion meets purpose in the world of medical data? Dr. Okechinyere Achilonu takes us through her journey in the evolving landscape of biostatistics in Africa. She reveals how this often-overlooked field serves as the backbone of health research across the continent. Born in Nigeria, Dr Okechi is currently a lecturer and biostatistician at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa. She also shares the impact of the Sub-Saharan Africa Advanced Consortium...
Send us a text What happens when African scientists tackle our continent's most pressing challenges? The May 2025 edition of our News Roundup, the first release under this segment, majorly focuses on innovation in health. The first is an AI-powered, solar-powered device that diagnoses Malaria and dispenses medicine. We also talk about Ghana's Yamachi Biotech and their creation of Africa's largest cancer genomic database. Our conservation segment unveils a wildlife trafficking cri...
Send us a text On this Africa Day podcast, five African science communicators discuss their role in amplifying authentic African research voices. They explore how digital platforms are transforming science communication across the continent. From immunology and plant science to scholarly communication and mentorship platforms, these podcasters share their journeys of creating digital spaces where authentic African scientific voices can thrive. Support the show Follow the show on: ...
Send us a text What if the invasive plants ravaging African agriculture could become part of the solution to our energy crisis? In this conversation, researcher Bongiwe Mtshali reveals her innovative work converting problematic alien plant species into valuable renewable energy resources. Support the show Follow the show on: Twitter: @Rootofscipod Instagram: @Rootofscipod YouTube: The Root Of The Science Podcast Facebook: The Root of The Science Podcast LinkedIn: The Root Of The Science P...
Send us a text In this episode, Dr. Rachel Mkandawire shares her journey from plant pathology to agricultural policy. With degrees in crop science, plant nematology, and a PhD in plant pathology, Rachel brings unique scientific insights to her work at the Food Agriculture Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN). She explains how her work at FANRPAN is transforming food systems across Southern Africa through participatory farmer research and evidence-based policy making. ...
Send us a text Tuberculosis remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases globally, claiming approximately 3,400 lives daily. On this World TB Day episode, We speak with Professor Leigh Fairley, Director of Maternal and Child Health at Wits RHI and Associate Professor at the University of Witwatersrand, about groundbreaking research that could transform TB prevention. As a key figure in the M72 trial, she discusses the M72 trial, its significance in the fight against TB and the poten...
Send us a text Nearly 19 million children in Southern Africa face stunting, while over 40 million people experience food insecurity annually. What drives these alarming statistics and how can we address them effectively? Professor Kennedy Dzama, who leads the Southern Africa Food Lab at Stellenbosch University, offers profound insights into this critical issue. He talks about the interconnectedness of climate change and food security, the establishment of the Southern Africa Food Lab and how...
Send us a text In this episode, Dr. Charles Takalana, Deputy Director of the Office of Astronomy for Development and Interim Head of Secretariat for the African Astronomical Society, shares how Africa is advancing in the fields of space science and astronomy research. Dr. Takalana also highlights the society's work in building a strong astronomical community across Africa since its revival in 2019. Key initiatives include supporting young scientists, addressing misconceptions about astronomy,...
Send us a text How did we transform from a single podcast into a dynamic media platform that is promoting African voices in STEM on the global stage? Join Anne Chisa, our Founding Director in this exclusive release of where we started and where we are going. Our commitment is to spark even bigger conversations, thanks to our incredible team and the support from our listeners, guests, and partners. Support the show Follow the show on: Twitter: @Rootofscipod Instagram: @Rootof...
Send us a text Ever wondered how African researchers are shaping the global scientific narrative? Today, we celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Root of the Science podcast with a special collaborative episode featuring Joy Owango, the founding director of TCC Africa. As we discuss the necessity for a multidisciplinary approach and the growing demand for digital accessibility, Joy and I tackle the strategic challenges of effectively navigating today's digital platforms, exploring how...
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