Dr. Salome M. Guchu is a research and innovation policy management professional, coordinating research and innovation programs at the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA). Prior to this, she spearheaded the setting up of the Kenya National Innovation Agency, where she initiated key programmes for nurturing innovators and supporting commercialization of innovations, as key components of strengthening the national innovation ecosystem. She has been active in research and innovation sector, with a hands-on experience on diverse projects and programmes.

Dr. Guchu is an alumnus of the University of Nairobi, Kenya, from where she graduated with a PhD in Chemistry. In addition, she has undertaken professional development courses on management of Science, Technology and Innovation sector, as well as on the broad public policy management and governance.

Dr. Guchu has been a member of the United Nations 10-Member Group appointed by the Secretary General for a period of two years (2021-2023) to support the UN Technology Facilitation Mechanism and advise on the ways of harnessing Science, Technology and Innovation to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. She has also served as a Board of Director in various national institutions in the science, technology and innovation sector in Kenya.

When not addressing matters related to research and innovation, Dr. Guchu like to spend time in voluntary mentoring programmes to encourage young people, especially girls, not to shy away from pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Read some of the Dr. Guchu’s views on Research and Innovation Ecosystem, and on Higher Education Data in East Africa.