How Tanzanian scholar's research boosts ozone protection and climate resilience

What you need to know:

Rehema is a Tanzanian national pursuing a PhD in Natural Resource Management and Climate Change at the Centre for Dryland Agriculture, Bayero University Kano, Nigeria.

Because of my background in microbiology and molecular biology, the question then became how can we solve this at a molecular level? After reviewing the literature, I realized cows do not make methane, it’s the tiny little microorganisms called methanogens which are responsible for methane generation. With the help of genetic engineering tools like CRISPR technology I reasoned we could manipulate these organisms to stop producing methane and make other products that will enhance cows’ productivity. So, killing 2 birds with one stone. After three years of unsuccessful applications, I finally received a scholarship to pursue a PhD in a different area- maize fungus. One year into that project, my idea on mitigating cow methane emissions was recognized and funded by Rsif, and I could not think twice.

A: Being recognized on a global stage like the COP28 in Dubai last year, confirmed that I am on the right path. Beyond the financial support, this recognition has expanded my network, provided access to world-class facilities, and connected me with leading experts in my field. I have had the opportunity to conduct research at prestigious methanogen facilities, such as the University of Connecticut (UConn), USA and Synthetic Biology Lab at Worcester Polytechnique Institute, USA. Additionally, I am now a member of Archaea Hour, a community that connects all archaea labs across America and Europe to facilitate the flow of knowledge, foster research collaborations and support outreach efforts. I’m also part of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, where members contribute significantly to advancing engineering, science, and technology.

A: It is true that African data is missing from the global stage, and Rsif is working to change that by empowering Africans to conduct research within our own contexts. This not only helps fill the gaps in global knowledge but also allows us to make informed decisions on greenhouse gas mitigation strategies tailored to our region. One of my objectives has been to profile microorganisms that directly or indirectly contribute to methane emissions from cows in Tanzania. Due to the limited data from our region, identifying some of these organisms has been challenging, as existing databases are often dominated by information from outside Africa. My research aims to address these gaps. We are currently conducting a global analysis to compare and understand where we stand. Preliminary findings from this work have also provided a solid foundation for our genetic engineering work on methanogens.

How Tanzanian scholar's research boosts ozone protection and climate resilience

What you need to know:

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