Dr Carol Ibe, BS (MOUAU); MS (Georgetown); MSc (Oxon), PhD (Cantab), is a plant scientist, biotechnology entrepreneur, and the Programme Manager of Cambridge Global Challenges. She completed her PhD in Plant Sciences at the University of Cambridge as a Gates Cambridge Scholar and subsequently undertook postdoctoral research at the John Innes Centre (UK), focusing on crop–microbe interactions in rice and wheat.

Grounded in molecular plant science, her work is driven by a commitment to addressing food security and climate challenges across Africa. Her career bridges scientific research with practical impact, connecting laboratory innovation to farms, communities, and policy systems. She engages with researchers, funders, policymakers, philanthropies, and industry partners to advance agricultural innovation and sustainable development, with a particular focus on scalable, Africa-led solutions.