Empowering Africa’s Future Scientists

No individual emerges as an exceptional scientist from birth. Instead, their expertise is cultivated through years of learning, networking, mentorship, and hands-on work in labs or in the field.

This guiding principle underpins the mission of Future African Scientist, a non-profit organization committed to unlocking the scientific aptitude of the continent by empowering African students and early-career scientists with the necessary resources to conduct globally recognized research that addresses local and global challenges.

Future African Scientist, also known as FAS, collaborates with prestigious scientists and institutions worldwide, including MIT, to deliver educational programs, training sessions, networking occasions, and other initiatives focused on scientific research and entrepreneurship. Graduates of FAS initiatives also gain access to a network of scientists that facilitates job placements, internships, and ongoing educational opportunities.

“Our initiatives aim to democratize the access to science education and foster a new generation of scientists who will tackle African issues, not only publishing papers but also translating research into tangible products and policies,” explains FAS co-founder Martin Lubowa.

Central to FAS’s ethos is the belief in the power of connections to advance scientific knowledge. Therefore, it’s no coincidence that FAS originated from a connection between two individuals from diverse backgrounds who crossed paths during an MIT program.

🌐 **From roommates to co-founders** 🌐

In 2020, Daniel Zhang ’22 engaged in Biology Professor Bruce Walker’s HST. 434 course (Evolution of an Epidemic) during an MIT MISTI Global Classroom session in the Independent Activities Period (IAP). The course involved immersing students in a South African community to educate them on the AIDS epidemic through the lenses of healthcare providers, researchers, policymakers, and local infected women.

This particular IAP marked the inaugural year of pairing MIT students with individuals from the African Leadership Academy, an organization dedicated to nurturing leadership skills among African youth. Martin Lubowa, Zhang’s roommate, was a serendipitous pairing during this experience.

“Despite our vastly different backgrounds, Martin and I immediately connected. Our shared interests in education, mentorship, and sports brought us together,” Zhang reminisces.

Even after early morning classes, Zhang and Lubowa engaged in deep discussions late at night. Their dialogues often revolved around the discrepancies in STEM opportunities between U.S. students and those in African nations. They deliberated on the role of STEM in economic advancement and identified the absence of mentorship as a critical issue. Consequently, they launched Future African Scientist to bridge these gaps.

With encouragement from Walker, the duo stayed in contact post-class and honed their vision of empowering university and high school students in Africa through early-stage mentorship and critical thinking skills conducive to independent research projects.

In January 2022, they orchestrated their inaugural virtual bootcamp catering to students across Africa. The bootcamp featured online courses, lectures from eminent African scientists, mentorship prospects, and a culminating project that challenged students to apply their newfound knowledge.

“Our goal went beyond imparting research skills; we aimed to equip them with entrepreneurial and interpersonal skills to position them as scientific entrepreneurs,” asserts Lubowa.

Following positive feedback and insights into the students’ needs, the founders expanded FAS’s framework.

Presently, a similar bootcamp focusing on fundamental research skills serves as the inception of FAS’s four-part Africa Science Research Academy. The subsequent phase entails a data-centric research project to familiarize participants with lab work. The third segment imparts skills in entrepreneurship, leadership, financial literacy, and grant management. Lastly, the Africa Science Opportunity Network, available to FAS alumni indefinitely, is designed to facilitate internships, job opportunities, and other research ventures.

“What sets us apart from most research training programs in Africa is our inclusivity to the curious minds. Many programs on the continent target practicing MDs or PhDs, leaving the intellectually curious without a suitable platform to translate their inquisitiveness into meaningful experiences,” notes Lubowa.

To date, over 100 students and young professionals have completed FAS programs hailing from 30 universities across 15 nations. FAS has also forged partnerships with ten medical student associations, expanding its network to over 100,000 students throughout the continent. Conversations are ongoing with entities like the African Microscope Initiative, offering specialized training in bioimaging to FAS graduates, and African governmental bodies to establish upskilling programs as viable alternatives to traditional MD and PhD paths.

“We envision Africa transitioning from being a mere recipient to being a contributor in the global scientific sphere. This shift involves equipping individuals with the requisite skills and altering mindsets to recognize their capacity for significant impact, thereby generating knowledge and fostering enterprises that tackle challenges within Africa and beyond,” elucidates Lubowa.

🌟 **Meeting the continent’s demands** 🌟

In 2022, two students from the Association of Mbarara University Pharmaceutical Sciences in Uganda delved into entrepreneurship fundamentals through FAS’s initiatives. They are currently navigating the commercialization of their research into locally-sourced mosquito repellents. Simultaneously, a Cameroonian FAS graduate clinched the third spot in a national science contest as an undergraduate whilst competing against PhD candidates. His research focus was early pancreatic cancer detection.

“An ambitious objective of Future African Scientists is to nurture a sustainable scientific ecosystem wherein alongside academia, there exists a burgeoning science industry in Africa,” Lubowa remarks.

Looking ahead, FAS aspires to establish its own laboratories to broaden equipment accessibility. The team is in preliminary discussions with companies specializing in second-hand medical and lab equipment exchange to enhance scientific infrastructure in African institutions.

“Our long-term vision encompasses the establishment of universal, open labs where students from across Africa can engage in practical scientific pursuits,” envisions Lubowa.

At the core of all its endeavors, FAS aims to empower Africans to emerge as a potent global force for good.

“Africa boasts a population of 1.2 billion individuals, yet only 198 scientists per million people. In contrast, the U.S. has over 4,000 scientists per million individuals. Given Africa’s heightened disease burden, it is imperative to recalibrate how we nurture scientists, emphasizing the importance of robust support systems. I strongly believe we can revolutionize the scientific landscape in Africa,” asserts Lubowa.