My name is Sibongile Zimba (she/her), call me Sibo. I am a Black African, originally from Malawi, southern Africa. I have been in academia since 2012, when I completed my master’s degree at the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources. I’ve always been fascinated by plant biology; I also enjoy working on projects that cut across multiple disciplines to influence policy and impact communities. I am a PhD student at the University of Leeds, working in the lab of Professor Stefan Kepinski at the School of Biology. My Co-supervisors are Dr. Christine Boesch (School of Food Science and Nutrition) and Professor Andrew Dougill (School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds and University of York). I was awarded a scholarship to study Plant Science at the University of Leeds under A Global Challenges Research Fund-Agricultural and Food System Resilience: Increasing Capacity and Advising Policy (GCRF-AFRICAP) project, which aims to help agriculture and food production in sub-Saharan Africa more productive, sustainable and resilient to climate change.
My PhD is focused on understanding the molecular developmental pathways underlying drought tolerance in nutritious, climate-smart crops. My goal is to develop protocols that integrate high-throughput phenotyping techniques, genomics, and bioinformatics to accelerate the pre-selection of planting materials for rapid crop improvement to keep pace with the changing climate in vulnerable regions. My daily work as a Ph.D. researcher includes the planning and implementation of laboratory and greenhouse experiments, reading and lots of writing. I find my work most rewarding when I discover interesting results that can have an impact on communities.
My journey into plant science
Growing up, I was lucky to have been exposed to a role model who was a Veterinary Doctor staying closer to my family. Her inspiration made me love science subjects more. In my pursuits of agricultural university, I was enrolled in the Horticulture program at LUANAR and that’s where my love for plants started. Shortly after completing my undergraduate studies, I was awarded a scholarship to study the Master’s Degree in Horticulture, where I worked on rapid potato micropropagation techniques in the lab and greenhouses. It was there that my desire to pursue my career as a plant scientist was cemented.
The journey has been rewarding and full of wonderful experiences as a scientist. When I was younger, I wish I could have believed in myself more and that I can reach greater heights despite my race or gender. I could have embraced those which I thought were challenging courses in plant science such as genetics and bioinformatics.
Finding mentors in plant science
My supervisors have been wonderful mentors to me and my career since my undergraduate at LUANAR in Malawi throughout my PhD in the UK. A good mentor is someone who sees your potential and helps you nourish and achieve your dreams. A mentor provides guidance, motivation and support. For my PhD research, the lab and Co-research groups that I belong to are accommodating and offer help. They have been very supportive and have trusted my abilities, which has helped me achieve my goals regardless of my race. They have helped me network with collaborators in the UK and around the world.
However, finding Black Plant Science mentors and role models in the UK is hard. From Leeds, I have been lucky to have known and been inspired by Dr Yoselin Benitez-Alfonso as one of the few Black women I know in plant science academia in the UK and she is remarkable. The lack of role models can scare future young black plant scientists from reaching these spaces and can sometimes feel lonely working in these spaces.
My advice for future plant scientists
I would advise young upcoming and future Black plant scientists to believe in themselves and their abilities. Sceptics will sometimes be there, but embracing confidence, the right attitude, hard work, and integrity will shield all the fears one can have working in those spaces. Plant science is not just a professional career but wonderful for those who are enthusiastic and love to explore.
Being a young, Black woman in plant science, I believe I am a role model to many and represent the under-represented groups. My biggest motivation comes from knowing if I was able to achieve it, future plant scientists can achieve what I have and more.
My hope for the future of black in plant science
I am hopeful for the future of Black plant scientists in the United Kingdom because they are increasingly awareness of the growing diversity and the reduction of gender and race disparities, through these special networks like Black in Plant Science which is highlighting black plant scientists as role models for inspiration. I believe lots of young Black minorities will be motivated to join this exciting career.