Clarity Ropafadzo Mapengo (Zimbabwean)

My journey started when my parents told me that I am the midwife to that which I have the power to change in this world. Being passionate about science, I went on to study food science (Chinhoyi University of Technology, Zimbabwe) with the hope of fusing my passion for science with sustainability. I was fortunate enough to earn the MasterCard Foundation scholarship from the University of Pretoria (South Africa), which allowed me to start my Master's degree (2015-2016). In February 2018, I came back to the University of Pretoria for my doctoral studies. Two and half years later, I was awarded my Ph.D. in Food Science, majoring in using Infrared energy in the development of higher value-added functional starch foodstuffs for the management of diet-related non-communicable diseases. Apart from becoming an UNLEASH innovation lab global talent, I am currently a Local Pathways Fellow, UN-Sustainable Development Solutions Network youth initiative