NC State Faculty Engages Global Community at Conference in Kenya

Ol Tukai Lodge, Amboseli, Kenya – April 2025

NC State’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering made a strong international showing at the Science in the Savannah: A US-Africa Conference on Nanotechnology, a gathering of global researchers held at the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Kenya. This conference was envisioned and executed by Professor Martin Thuo, who attended with other MSE faculty, including Professors Franky So, Martin Seifrid, and Jacob Jones. Also attending were Thuo’s postdoctoral researcher, Andrew Martin, and graduate student Dhanush Jamadagni. At the event, Martin Seifrid was recognized as a rising star in interdisciplinary science.

“By taking scientists from different countries and disciplines, and getting them out of their cognitive and physical comfort zone, enables interactions that would not happen otherwise. Campfire conversations like the effect of phosphorus as a fertilizer, a dietary nutrient, and its impact on cement curing would not occur otherwise.” – Dr. Martin Thuo

Thematic talks were presented by Drs. Seifrid, Thuo, and Martin. Their presentations explored cutting-edge work, contributing to rich scientific discussions that spanned materials for energy, planetary science, sustainability, and nanotechnology. The conference was an opportunity to engage with international collaborators and explore new directions for global research partnerships. In addition, Dr. Jones gave a plenary lecture, Dr. So gave a keynote talk, and Dhanush presented a poster. Other NC State faculty in attendance at the conference were Professor Jan Genzer from the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Professor Owen Duckworth from the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences.

Along with the academic proceedings, participants were treated to a cultural and ecological immersion courtesy of a local company that coordinated private game drives through the iconic savannah and a visit to a local Maasai village. The excursions provided a unique context for reflection and cross-cultural exchange, reinforcing the value of scientific dialogue in diverse settings. Learning how early humans conquered this terrain or how local tribes thrive with little technology challenged attendees to think of solutions outside the box.

“This was a fantastic event,” said Dr. Jacob Jones, Kobe Steel Distinguished Professor. “It fostered not only research connections but also cultural understanding: both essential for solving global challenges.”

The “Science in the Savannah” conference exemplifies how science can transcend borders and disciplines, echoing NC State MSE’s commitment to collaborative innovation on a global scale.

This post was originally published in Department of Materials Science and Engineering.