Aneth David
Aneth Bella David | |
|---|---|
 David in 2025 | |
| Born | Aneth Bella Mwakilili 18 November 1990 Tanzania |
| Alma mater | University of Dar es Salaam (BSc, MSc) Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (PhD) |
| Known for | research on biotechnological tools for sustainable agricultural development |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Biotechnology |
| Institutions | University of Dar es Salaam Next Einstein Forum Women in Tech Africa Tanzania Human Genetics Organization Open Science Community of Tanzania and Africa Biotechnology Society of Tanzania Open Forum for Agricultural Biotechnology |
| Thesis | Revisiting push-pull technology: Below and aboveground mechanisms for ecosystem services (2022) |
| Website | www |
Aneth Bella David (formerly Mwakilili; born 18 November 1990) is a Tanzanian biotechnologist and molecular biologist. She focuses on utilising biotechnological tools for sustainable agricultural development. She co-founded the Tanzania Human Genetics Organization (THGO), the Open Science Community of Tanzania and Africa and the Biotechnology Society of Tanzania (BST). She also advocates for young people and women in STEM fields.
Biography
[edit]David was born on 18 November 1990. She attended primary and secondary school in Moshi.[1] She studied a BSc and MSc in Biotechnology at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM).[1] She was awarded a PhD in Biology by the Department of Plant Protection Biology at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in Uppsala, Sweden.[2]
David co-founded the Tanzania Human Genetics Organization (THGO),[2][3] the Open Science Community of Tanzania and Africa and the Biotechnology Society of Tanzania (BST).[2] She sits on the advisory board for the Open Forum for Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB).[2]
As an Ambassador for the Next Einstein Forum, David has fundraised to provide science books for Tanzanian schools and has met with the Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (Tanzania) to discuss contributions that biotechnology could make to the health sector.[4] She has contributed to calls for changes in policy around the needs of individuals with rare diseases.[5]
David is currently a lecturer at UDSM,[6] is the country lead for Women in Tech Africa (WiTA) and an Accelerating Science And Publication In Biology (ASAPbio) fellow.[2][7]
In 2024, David was awarded a BioInnovate Africa Women in Science Fellowship and is being hosted at the East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO) in Kigali, Rwanda with Fortunate Muyambi as her mentor. Her fellowship work is focusing on biofertilizers and promoting food security and sustainable farming.[8] She has also researched the use of soil microorganisms to improve crop yield,[9] has written on malaria transmission for The Chanzo,[10] and has contributed to research published in the academic journal Plant and Soil.[11]
David is also interested in beekeeping.[4]
Awards
[edit]- Ambassador prize by the Next Einstein Forum (2015)[1][4]
- Women in STEM Careers Award by the Next Einstein Forum (2022)[2]
- Included on the Tanzanian Scientists wall of fame at the STEM Park in Tanga[citation needed]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Tanzania's first Einstein award winner". The Citizen. 1 April 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f Moraa, Valine (8 July 2024). "Dr Aneth David, Tanzania". BioInnovate Africa. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
- ^ Alimohamed, Mohamed Zahir; Mwakilili, Aneth David; Mbwanji, Kenneth; Manji, Zainab Karim; Kaywanga, Frida; Mwaikono, Kilaza Samson; Adolf, Ismael; Makani, Julie; Hamel, Ben; Masimirembwa, Collen; Ishengoma, Deus Simon & Nkya, Siana. "Inauguration of the Tanzania Society of Human Genetics: Biomedical Research in Tanzania with Emphasis on Human Genetics and Genomics". The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 104 (2): 474–477. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.20-0861. eISSN 1476-1645. ISSN 0002-9637. PMC 7866332.
- ^ a b c "It is your life, Own it: A biotechnology narrative". African Women in Science and Engineering. 24 February 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
- ^ Kaywanga, Frida; Alimohamed, Mohamed Zahir; David, Aneth Bella; Maeda, Daniel; Mbarak, Sharifa; Mavura, Togolani; Nkya, Siana; Ishengoma, Deus S. (5 September 2022). "Rare diseases in Tanzania: a National Call for Action to address policy and urgent needs of individuals with rare diseases". Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases. 17 (1): 343. ISSN 1750-1172. PMC 9446714.
- ^ Rashed, Wafaa M. (24 February 2025). "Celebrating Aneth David - A Champion for Women in STEM". OncoDaily. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
- ^ Gregory, Salome (26 February 2025). "RISING WOMAN 2025: Empowering women through STEM, A biotechnologist's journey, advocacy". The Citizen. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
- ^ Moraa, Valine (10 June 2025). "Bridging Science and Policy for a Sustainable Bioeconomy". BioInnovate Africa. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
- ^ David, Aneth (16 March 2018). "Letter to a future agricultural biotechnology researcher. From Aneth David". Representation Matters. Letters from Black Women in STEM to their Young Selves. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
- ^ "New Technology Promises to Eliminate Malaria for Good. But Serious Challenges Limit Such Potential - The Chanzo". 9 July 2024. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
- ^ Mwakilili, Aneth David; Mwaikono, Kilaza Samson; Herrera, Sebastian Larsson; Midega, Charles A. O.; Magingo, Francis; Alsanius, Beatrix; Dekker, Teun & Lyantagaye, Sylvester Leonard (1 October 2021). "Long-term maize-Desmodium intercropping shifts structure and composition of soil microbiome with stronger impact on fungal communities". Plant and Soil. 467 (1): 437–450. doi:10.1007/s11104-021-05082-w. ISSN 1573-5036.