African science – Professor Tom Kariuki a leading immunologist

Professor Tom Kariuki has spent his career battling for science in Africa, both as a leading immunologist and as the former director of the Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa.

This programme is available NOW on Demand on the BBC Discovery Page and is available until Tuesday the 8th of February. It will also broadcast on Sunday the 6th of February in Phuket at 8:30 AM on 91.5 FM and 102.5 FM and Online via the Internet radio portals.

Now, as the world comes to grips with the coronavirus pandemic and a global movement for social justice, could this prove an opportunity for the transformation of African science?

Tom talks to leading scientists in Africa about the successes they have achieved as well as the profound challenges they face, from the complexities of international funding to keep the lights on.

He asks who African science belongs to and benefits, and what needs to happen if its future is to be prosperous.

(Photo: A team of scientists in a lab. Credit: Getty Images)