Ruth Mbabazi

Dr. Ruth Mbabazi is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Michigan State University (MSU), affiliated with the Department of Entomology and World Technology Access Program (WorldTAP) within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. She also holds a Research Assistant Professor role in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, and serves as core faculty in MSU's African Studies Centre, Asian Studies Centre, and Latin America and Caribbean Studies Center. Her work focuses on agricultural biotechnology policy, biosafety frameworks, and technology transfer to enhance food security in developing nations. With over 12 years of experience, she collaborates with African governments to strengthen regulatory systems for biotechnology and seed systems. Notably, she received the John K. Hudzik Emerging Leader Award in 2018 for her contributions to international studies.

Dr. Mbabazi's education includes a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Queensland University of Technology (Australia). Her expertise spans biotechnology R&D, biosafety systems, and intellectual property management, particularly related to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. She contributes to the WEMA project in Uganda and engages stakeholders across 20+ African nations on biosafety and agricultural innovation.

• Education: Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Queensland University of Technology, Australia)
• Affiliations: WorldTAP, African Studies Center, Asian Studies Center, Latin America and Caribbean Studies Center

Her research emphasizes policy development for biotechnology commercialization and regulatory harmonization in Africa. Recent work includes studies on GM crop adoption, malaria vector management, and socio-economic factors affecting healthcare access in Uganda. She actively promotes international capacity-building through training programs and collaborative research initiatives.

Awards: John K. Hudzik Emerging Leader Award (2018), recognizing her leadership in advancing global agricultural advocacy and policy.

Labs/Teams: Member of the WEMA biosafety regulatory team and collaborator in regional agricultural policy networks.