Edith Mugehu

Edith Mugehu Headshot

MPS Class of 2026, Global Development

  • Pronouns: She/her
  • Grand challenge: Resilience through a gender lens: Inclusive innovation for sustainable food and seed systems in Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Connect: em782 [at] cornell.edu (Email) | LinkedIn

 

Her professional focus is on inclusive seed and crop improvement systems that respond to the needs of marginalized farming communities, particularly women, to build resilience and adaptation to climate change. Edith has combined technical expertise in plant breeding with participatory research methods to ensure that farmer voices shape innovation and policy in seed systems.

Edith's academic background is in Crop Improvement, and as part of her academic and professional journey, she aims to integrate science, equity, and policy in order to lead Africa-focused innovations in sustainable food systems and seed justice. She is currently collaborating with Professor Hale Tufan to foster seed system equity and microentreprenerial capacity in East Africa. Edith is also working with the Better Food Foundation to transform food system through behavioural change strategies through the DefaultVeg program.