Esther Ngumbi

Dr Esther Ngumbi is assistant professor of entomology and African American studies at the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign. She is a native of Kenya and earned her PhD from Auburn University. She is an entomologist (chemical ecologist) and her research over the years has focused on understanding the multifaceted uses of chemical signals (both volatile and non-volatile) by herbivores, natural enemies, plants and their associated microorganisms and insects.

Believing that global sustainability issues like those of hunger and food insecurity affect all of us, Ngumbi has stepped up both as a researcher and a food security advocate and a senior fellow with the Aspen Institute New Voices and has continued to demonstrate visionary and inspirational leadership in the pursuit of a sustainable future-where hunger and food insecurity become history.

She has contributed immensely to global discussions in several areas including science policy, agricultural development, food security, gender issues, youth leadership, global education and sustainability through over 150 opinion pieces published in several international media outlets.

Ngumbi is the recipient of several national and international awards and serves as a mentor to many students and several organisations including Clinton Global University Initiative and President Obama’s Young African Leadership Initiative.