Women in Science with Professor Esther Akinlabi – Director of the Pan African University for Life and Earth Sciences Ibadan, Nigeria

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, for our series on women in science, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Professor Esther Akinlabi, who is the Director of the Pan African University for Life and Earth Sciences in Ibadan, Nigeria. We unpack the core scientific thematic areas of the Pan African University, which are located in different regions on the continent to contribute to the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Importantly, it is expected that 50% of the student intake is female to drive gender equality goals. Programs address pertinent issues for Africa to ensure a better life for the continent’s citizens. For example, the plant breeding program undertakes projects that address food security while the Medicinal Plants Research and Drug Discovery program serves as an incubator that utilises indigenous medicinal plants in drug discovery. We discuss career opportunities for women in the fields of Friction Stir Welding and Additive Manufacturing (3-D printing) in automotive sectors, building trains, constructing ships and the biomedical industry. Tune in for more.