Thomas Dubois

Background

About Thomas Dubois

I hold a PhD in Entomology (Cornell University, USA) and an MSc in Bioengineering (University of Ghent, Belgium), and have over 20 years experience in plant health across Africa. From 2003–2012 at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), I advanced banana research—pioneering the use of commercial biopesticides as ‘artificial’ endophytes, enhancing tissue culture marketing systems, and promoting banana as an income-generating crop with private partners. I later co-managed all aflatoxin control activities in maize and groundnut using Aflasafe. In 2013, at AfricaRice, I briefly led a USD 15.6 million African Development Bank project improving rice value chains in 11 countries. From 2014–2018, as Regional Director for Eastern & Southern Africa at the World Vegetable Center, I provided strategic leadership, managed multi-country teams, and helped initiate a global strategy revamp. Recognized with the CGIAR Young Promising Scientist Award (2006), I have been an invited expert for FAO, UNCTAD, USDA and COMESA on topics ranging from genetic resources to biotechnology policy. I have authored over 150 publications—including books, chapters, and >100 peer-reviewed papers—and supervised >30 MSc and PhD students. Currently at icipe, I continue to apply my expertise and leadership skills to strengthen plant health and sustainable agriculture in Africa as Head, Plant Health and, more recently, as Director of Impact Delivery.