Melody Ndemera

General Info

Professional Track

Biotechnology and Health
Leadership in Biotechnology

Country

Zimbabwe

Areas of Expertise

Biotechnology
Food Science and Food Technology

Professional Interests

How to set up and manage a sustainable tech driven analytical laboratory enterprise in low resource settings and identify potential investors and collaborators
How to develop bankable project proposals and harness resources to finance research and development in biosafety/biotechnology and public health
How to enhance my leadership skills, develop lasting strategic partnerships and grow my network

The Top Three Things I Would Like to Learn or Experience During my Mentorship

Expand my knowledge of effective prevention methods of biological threats to food production.
Hone risk assessment skills related to biological threats in food for policy development.
Leadership skills in policy development in biosafety and biotechnology.

Ideal Company Type

My ideal mentor is involved in policy/regulatory work, and have have access to high-tech research companies in food safety, biotechnology, and/or biosafety. I would love a mentor who can guide me regarding capacity building in food biosafety, risk assessment, and how to access funding for evidence generation to inform policy. I would also want a mentor that can help me expand my network to eventually grow my consultancy firm, set up an analytical laboratory and create opportunities for other young people through creating jobs and growing my research group.

What are three adjectives that best describe you in the work place?

Hardworking
Ambitious
Outgoing

What impact will your mentorship have on your career and professional path?

Currently, I am not widely exposed to the developed world, apart from my education. I believe the mentorship will unlock possibilities to grow my business and research group through personal capacity building. I envisage that I will gain valuable skills to add to my current skills set. Through exposure to high tech companies' best practices and success stories, I will better undersatnd what I need to expand my business. The potential networks will go a long way to open doors I may not know exist, and to offer the necessary support needed to establish a sustainable enterprise in my space.

After participating in the TechWomen program, how will you leverage your mentorship experience to make an impact in your home country?

I want to establish a community of practice bringing together Zimbabwean and US researchers and policymakers in food safety, biotechnology and biosafety. This will help kickstart discussions around regulating this space in Zimbabwe. I want to disseminate knowledge gained to my colleagues (particularly women) in my research group and in my consultancy firm. I would like to introduce them to any opportunities that will arise from this mentorship program to assist their professional development too. Lastly, I would like to develop collaborative partnerships between interested US parties and my university as a way of giving back to my university.