Dr. Justine Germo Nzweundji is a Plant Biotechnologist and Science Policy expert. Born in Cameroon, she received a UNESCO-l’Oreal Fellowship for her PhD research at the University of Florida and Alabama A&M University in the US, where she studied the Tissue culture of Prunus africana for its domestication and conservation in Cameroon’s agroforestry system. She was a TWAS-DFG Postdoc Fellow at the Geisenheim Hoschule University in Germany, working on molecular tools for characterization of Prunus africana. Over the past few years, she has been increasingly working on Science, Technology and Public Policy issues as well as the interface of traditional knowledges and empirical scientific knowledge. She therefore received an African Presidential Scholars (UMAPS) Fellowship at the University of Michigan in the US to work on Science Policy. She is a champion of young girls and females in STEM. Currently, Justine Germo is Deputy Director of Research, Valorization and Innovation of the Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies (IMPM) in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
I want to support evidence-based solutions to help address the grand developmental challenges of our times, and advocate for more Women in STEM by developing a critical mass of young female scientists in Central Africa I want this because bringing the voice and competencies of young women to STEM fields is my passion, which is what has led me to become interested in science policy over the past few years. It offers an opportunity to better understand the mechanics of policy-making and implementation that determines which science communities can thrive. I can do this because from multiple professional activities and leadership, I believe I am well positioned to impart good influence on society. Being fluent in English and French serves me well across many African and global linguistic cultures, and enables me link scientific communities.