Two Rwandan scientists have been elected Fellows of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), joining an international network of researchers recognised for their contributions to scientific advancement and development.
Prof. Eugénie Kayitesi, an expert in food science and nutrition, and Prof. Léon Mutesa, a specialist in human genetics, were among 87 scientists elected as regular Fellows during the academy’s latest membership selection, announced on November 5.
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Kayitesi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Consumer and Food Sciences at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. Mutesa is a Professor of Human Genetics and Director of the Centre for Human Genetics and Genomics at the University of Rwanda's College of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Speaking to The New Times, Mutesa said the recognition was not only a personal milestone but also an achievement for Rwanda and African science, adding that researchers from the continent are active contributors to global scientific innovation.
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"This milestone underscores that African scientists are not merely consumers of global science but active contributors to cutting-edge scientific innovation,” Mutesa said.
"Reflecting on similar global accolades throughout my career, such honours carry deep significance, not just for me personally, but also for the advancement of science and medical research across Rwanda and the broader African continent.”
He added that joining the TWAS network would increase the international visibility of Rwandan research, particularly in areas such as human genetics, multi-omics and public health.
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The other two are Prof Romain Murenzi, a physicist and former education minister, and Prof Agnes Binagwaho, a pediatrician and former health minister, who were elected to TWAS in 2005 and 2021, respectively.
Opportunities for young researchers
Mutesa said his and Kayitesi's election would also create opportunities for young Rwandan researchers through mentorship, international partnerships and access to research funding. Rwanda now has four TWAS Fellows.
He added that TWAS membership provides an opportunity for established scientists to support the next generation of researchers and scholars through mentorship and capacity building.
"As TWAS Fellows, we are positioned to actively mentor early-career Rwandan scientists. TWAS fellowship pathways enable young scientists to connect with established global experts and participate in international research networks,” he said.
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He noted that this could also strengthen research supervision at the University of Rwanda, helping young researchers develop internationally competitive PhD and postdoctoral research projects.
On international collaboration, Mutesa said his election could facilitate cross-border and multi-institutional partnerships, building on his existing participation in global initiatives such as H3Africa, the EU MAV+ vaccine manufacturing initiatives and the International Vaccine Institute.
Such partnerships, he explained, could enable young Rwandan researchers to design genetic and genomic research programmes, participate in vaccine research, co-author scientific studies, exchange laboratory methodologies and join regional and international research consortia.
He also highlighted access to funding as another potential benefit of TWAS membership.
The academy provides opportunities for researchers in developing countries to access competitive research grants, including funding for scientific equipment, research continuity and research groups or consortia.
Mutesa said these opportunities could help Rwandan scientists initiate and sustain competitive research projects.
Genomics and the future of healthcare in Rwanda
Beyond research collaboration, Mutesa said advances in human genetics and genomics could significantly transform healthcare delivery in Rwanda by shifting the health system from a largely reactive approach towards preventive medicine.
He identified several areas where these advances could make a difference, including the early detection of non-communicable diseases, precision medicine and targeted therapies, infectious disease surveillance and outbreak response, as well as neonatal and prenatal screening.
In particular, he said, genetic and genomic research could help identify individuals at risk of certain diseases earlier, allowing healthcare providers to develop more tailored prevention and treatment strategies.
It could also contribute to understanding how diseases spread and evolve, strengthening Rwanda's capacity to monitor infectious diseases and respond to potential outbreaks.
In maternal and child health, advances in genomic screening could support early identification of certain inherited conditions, enabling timely medical intervention.
However, he added that expanding these capabilities will require sustained investment in research infrastructure, skilled personnel, laboratory capacity and stronger collaboration between local and international research institutions.