My Journey with the Global Innovation Family
My name is Prof. Dr. Julienne Nguefack, and I am a Professor of Biochemistry and Lecturer-Researcher at the University of Yaoundé I in Cameroon. Since joining the academic staff in 1995, I’ve dedicated my career to research in phytobiochemistry, agrochemistry, and the development of sustainable solutions for agriculture and health. Over the years, my work has focused on harnessing the power of medicinal and aromatic plants – many of them endemic to Cameroon – to develop bioinputs for agriculture, cosmetics, and natural medicine.
As the Head of the Pharmacology, Seed Health, and Green Crops & Vegetables Production Unit, I lead investigations into biocontrol agents, biopesticides, and biofertilizers of plant origin. Our aim is to create effective alternatives to conventional agricultural inputs and to support green agriculture while improving health through the development of nutraceuticals.
How WAITRO Changed My Path
My connection to WAITRO began in 1999, when I received a DANIDA Fellowship for a nine-month diploma course in seed pathology in Denmark. During my stay, I was offered a three-month extension to explore the use of essential oils in controlling seed-borne fungi in rice. That experience, under the guidance of Dr. Vibeke Leth, became the foundation for my future research and opened the door to the world of international scientific collaboration.
It was in 2002 that I attended my first WAITRO-sponsored event – the 6th International Seminar on Traditional African Fermented Foods in Accra, Ghana – thanks to an invitation from Mr. Moses D. Mengu. Since then, WAITRO has been a cornerstone in my professional journey. In 2015, I was honored to become the WAITRO Focal Person for the University of Yaoundé I.
From Local Roots to Global Reach
Through WAITRO, I’ve had the privilege of attending and speaking at numerous international summits and scientific meetings, presenting research on essential oils, seed health, and plant-based disease control. These summits have not only given me the opportunity to showcase Cameroonian research but also to meet inspiring peers from all over the world.
WAITRO has connected me to impactful international projects, such as:
Horizon 2020 SOILGUARD Project
I joined this EU-funded project thanks to a connection made through LEITAT in Spain. SOILGUARD focuses on sustainable soil management across three continents, and I’m proud to represent Cameroon in this global effort.
WAITRO Innovation Award 2021
Our team’s project on green botanical pesticides and fertilizers made it to the top five finalists. This achievement led to my participation in the WAITRO Summit 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa, and to fruitful collaboration with Prof. Dr. Yenny Meliana from Indonesia.
BRIN Visiting Research Fellowship (Indonesia, 2024)
Through the partnership with Prof. Yenny, I was granted a visiting researcher fellowship at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) in Indonesia. Beyond research, this fellowship created deep cultural and professional bonds that continue to grow.
EDUTECA Intra-Africa Mobility Proposal (2025)
A conversation at the WAITRO Summit 2022 with Prof. Dr. Daniel Ayuk Mbi Egbe led to my involvement in a consortium proposal for intra-African academic mobility – opening more doors for students and researchers across the continent.
Partnerships in Motion
WAITRO has empowered me to build enduring partnerships. At the 2024 Summit in Nanjing, I met Prof. Fadzilah Abd Majid from Malaysia, with whom we are developing a collaborative project on high-value herbal products. This collaboration is evolving into a program that brings together researchers from Cameroon, Malaysia, and South Africa to advance herbal medicine innovation.
In February 2025, I joined a global webinar chaired by Dr. Ami Fazlin Syed Mohamed from Malaysia’s Ministry of Health – an opportunity that again stemmed from a WAITRO connection.
A Grateful Heart and an Optimistic Future
I am deeply thankful to WAITRO for every opportunity it has offered me – from summit sponsorships and project involvement to global exposure and lasting friendships. I’ve grown into a multidisciplinary scientist through the experiences and networks WAITRO made possible. I am especially grateful to Dr. Paul Burrows, who invited me at the last moment to speak as a panelist at the 2024 Summit in China. Sharing how local solutions in Cameroon can contribute to the global SDGs was a moment of pride and purpose.
Long live the WAITRO family! I’m still rising – and I look forward to the many chapters yet to come.
by Prof. Dr. Julienne Nguefack
University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon
