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The Root Of The Science Podcast

The Root Of The Science Podcast

Anne Chisa 181 Episodes Sep 21, 2026

Hosted by Anne Chisa, also known as Anne with an E, The Root Of The Science Podcast airs biweekly on Mondays. It features interviews with people in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics from around the world, united by the hashtag #AfricansInSTEM. Guests share their personal stories and discuss the “ROOT” of their science, going beyond technical topics into deeper conversations. The show aims to be a global platform for Africans in STEM, highlighting their contributions and humanizing their experiences while challenging stereotypes and promoting diversity. Its goal is to educate and inspire future generations to pursue science; the views expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect the host.

Episodes

EP 172: How A Soil Scientist Builds Practical Agri Tech For Real Farms
EP 172: How A Soil Scientist Builds Practical Agri Tech For Real Farms Sep 21, 2026 1670 Send us Fan MailWe speak with soil scientist and entrepreneur Palesa Mutaung about building agri-tech that works because it starts with real farms, real buyers and the full agricultural value chain. We trace her journey from geology to hands-on deliveries, then into Bread Africa’s research-driven tools that help farmers make better decisions and stay audit-ready.  In this episode we discuss: • mov
EP 171: New Malaria Drugs are Coming, but is Africa Ready?
EP 171: New Malaria Drugs are Coming, but is Africa Ready? Aug 24, 2026 1955 Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Root of the Science Podcast, Dr Anne Chisa talks to a Nigerian malaria policy researcher Michael Audu to unpack what it will take for next-generation antimalarials to reach the people who need them.They discuss drug resistance, Ganaplacide-Lumefantrine, Nigeria’s malaria burden and Michael’s Africa Readiness Index (ARI) in rolling out new malaria treatments.L
EP 170: The Stories That Moved Us: Root of Science in 2026
EP 170: The Stories That Moved Us: Root of Science in 2026 Mar 2, 2026 2061 Send us Fan MailStories that move people deserve a wider audience. We open 2026 by bringing the team together to look back at the moments that stayed with us, the ideas that challenged us, and how we plan to grow African science stories this year.From neglected tropical diseases to health funding cuts, we unpack why some conversations travelled further than others: real people, real consequences,
EP 169: Viloshnee Singh, A Chemistry Lab In A Box For African Students
EP 169: Viloshnee Singh, A Chemistry Lab In A Box For African Students Nov 24, 2025 1704 Send us Fan MailImagine turning any safe space: under a tree, in a hall, or a small classroom, into a working chemistry lab. That’s the promise of the CIA kit from Chemistry in Action.We engage Viloshnee Singh, the CEO of V4 Group and founder of Chemistry in Action to unpack how a simple, affordable tool can improve science education across Africa. We talk about the access gap in STEM, why so many
EP 168: Michael Ofire, Neglected No More: African Solutions for NTDs
EP 168: Michael Ofire, Neglected No More: African Solutions for NTDs Nov 17, 2025 2064 Send us Fan MailHalf the world lives at risk of at least one neglected tropical disease, yet these illnesses remain underfunded, misunderstood, and hidden behind stigma. Our host, Anne Chisa, speaks with public health practitioner Michael Ofire to unpack what “neglect” really means, how NTDs entrench poverty and how policy, primary care, and community action can break the cycle. Michael Ofire shar
EP 167: Albert Mutangiri, Can Tech Save the Bees That Feed the World?
EP 167: Albert Mutangiri, Can Tech Save the Bees That Feed the World? Oct 22, 2025 1860 Send us Fan MailWhen we think of bees, we rarely imagine them meeting technology. Yet for Albert Mutangiri, a lifelong beekeeper and CEO of Blue Bean Software, innovation and nature go hand in hand.In this episode of the Root of the Science Podcast, host Anne Chisa explores HivePulse, a smart monitoring system that uses sensors and data analytics to track hive health, boost pollination, and streng
EP 166: Dr Karl Daniel, Telemedicine as a New Approach to Healthcare Access in Kenya
EP 166: Dr Karl Daniel, Telemedicine as a New Approach to Healthcare Access in Kenya Sep 29, 2025 2436 Send us Fan MailImagine walking 50km to see a doctor versus getting treated from your phone. In Kenya, there’s just one doctor for every 5,000 people, far below the WHO’s recommended standard. Long queues, high costs, and staff shortages make access difficult.In this episode of Rooted in Health II, Anne Chisa speaks with Dr. Karl Daniel, a medical doctor and healthcare entrepreneur, on how TIBU He
EP 165: Maboang Matlou, The Miracle Tree: Transforming Agriculture with Moringa
EP 165: Maboang Matlou, The Miracle Tree: Transforming Agriculture with Moringa Sep 15, 2025 1855 Send us Fan MailMaboang Matlou, founder of Lefakong Farm, shares her journey transforming a family farm into a thriving moringa enterprise that addresses nutrition, climate change and economic development simultaneously.Maboang's story is a masterclass in agricultural innovation and perseverance. Get started with moringa farming by listening to Maboang explain the research, planning your mark
EP 164: Dr. Keabetswe Ncube, Achieving Sustainability in Agriculture through Genetics
EP 164: Dr. Keabetswe Ncube, Achieving Sustainability in Agriculture through Genetics Aug 25, 2025 3528 Send us Fan MailWhat if the future of African agriculture lies not in expensive technology, but in understanding the hidden genetic code of livestock that have survived drought, disease, and harsh conditions for generations? Dr. Keabetswe Ncube takes us on a journey into agrigenomics - the science of using genetics to improve crops and livestock for healthier, stronger farming systems. From her ch
EP 163: How Aid Cuts Affect Patients, Research and Jobs in Africa
EP 163: How Aid Cuts Affect Patients, Research and Jobs in Africa Jul 29, 2025 2630 Send us Fan MailWhat happens when life-saving funding disappears? How do healthcare systems adapt? Can domestic resources fill the gap? The sudden freeze of US aid disbursements in January sent shockwaves through healthcare systems across Africa. Six months later, what was once a policy announcement has turned into a devastating reality for millions who depend on life-saving HIV and TB services.St
EP 162: Emmanuel Valentine, Making High-Tech Farming like Hydroponics Affordable for All
EP 162: Emmanuel Valentine, Making High-Tech Farming like Hydroponics Affordable for All Jul 14, 2025 2151 Send us Fan MailWith the continent's population projected to reach 2.6 billion by 2050, food production must increase by 70% amidst growing challenges from climate.Valentine Emmanuel, a Nigerian agricultural scientist, shares his innovative approach to solving Africa's food security challenges through sustainable farming techniques and entrepreneurship.Valentine's research on the cy
EP 161: Dr. Tebogo Makhubela, From Soweto to National Geographic, Tracing Human Origins
EP 161: Dr. Tebogo Makhubela, From Soweto to National Geographic, Tracing Human Origins Jun 30, 2025 2523 Send us Fan MailWhat if the ground beneath your feet could tell you exactly when our ancestors walked the Earth? Dr. Tebogo Makhubela, a geologist from Soweto and a recent National Geographic Wayfinder Award winner, followed his scientific passion and is now uncovering these ancient stories as a National Geographic Explorer.This conversation takes us from when he bravely chose geology without fina

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