Idah Sithole-Niang facts for kids

Idah Sithole-Niang (born in 1957) is a scientist from Zimbabwe. She is a biochemist, which means she studies the chemistry of living things. She is also a teacher. Her main work involves studying viruses that harm the cowpea plant. Cowpeas are a very important food crop in Zimbabwe.

About Idah Sithole-Niang

Idah Sithole was born in Hwange, Zimbabwe, on October 2, 1957. She was a bright student and received a scholarship to study at the University of London. In 1982, she earned her bachelor's degree in biochemistry there.

Continuing Her Education

In 1983, Idah received a special scholarship called a USAID Fellowship. She decided to continue her studies, focusing on plant and virus genetics. This led her to Michigan State University (MSU) in Lansing, Michigan. She earned her PhD from MSU in 1988.

After her PhD, she did more research at MSU's Plant Research Laboratory. She studied the genetics of cyanobacteria, which are tiny organisms that can make their own food using sunlight. She was the first person to receive the William L. Brown Fellowship for this work.

Teaching and Research in Zimbabwe

Idah Sithole-Niang returned to Zimbabwe in 1992. She became a Lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe. There, she taught about viruses that infect plants. Her main research area is the potyvirus. This virus attacks the cowpea, which is a type of legume and a major food source in Zimbabwe.

In 1992, she married Sheikh Ibrahima Niang. He is a professor from Senegal whom she met at Michigan State University. They have a "commuting marriage," meaning they live and work in different countries. He works at the University of Cheikh Anta Diop in Dakar, Senegal.

Idah Sithole-Niang received another important award, a Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship, from 1992 to 1995. She has continued to teach and do research, writing many scientific papers. In 2006, she became an Associate Professor at the University of Zimbabwe.

Improving Food Crops

Idah Sithole-Niang believes that changing plants through genetic modification can help make cowpeas stronger. She thinks that GMO versions of traditional crops can be very helpful for developing countries. These modified crops can resist diseases better.

She works with a group called the Network for the Genetic Improvement of Cowpea for Africa (NGICA). As a coordinator, she talks with other experts from around the world. This is important because there isn't always enough money for research in Zimbabwe.

Idah Sithole-Niang has also been a part of many important groups and committees. These include:

• The Steering Committee Trustee of the African Women for Agriculture and Research and Development (AWARD) Programme.
• The American Association for the Advancement of Science.
• The American Society for Virologists.
• The Oversight Committee of the Improved Maize for African Soils (IMAS).
• The Selection Committee Chair of the Joshua Nkomo Scholarships.
• The New York Academy of Sciences.
• The Vice Chair of the Research Council of Zimbabwe.
• The Selection Committee for the Rhodes Scholarships in Zimbabwe.
• The Zimbabwe Academy of Sciences.

She also works as a Technical Advisor for the Program for Biosafety Systems in sub-Saharan Africa. This means she helps make sure that new plant technologies are safe to use.

Selected Works