Chrispin Kaphaika | Agri-food systems and innovation | Young Researcher Award

Chrispin Kaphaika | Agri-food systems and innovation - Research and Innovation Specialist/Technology Transfer Officer at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Malawi

Chrispin K. Kaphaika is an intellectual property management specialist and innovation advocate with deep expertise in technology transfer, agribusiness entrepreneurship, and research commercialization. With an interdisciplinary academic background and a strong orientation toward inclusive development, Chrispin supports enterprise growth, innovation-driven policies, and sustainable commercialization strategies. Their professional focus integrates agribusiness economics, startup support, and IP policy reform. Chrispin thrives in multicultural research and institutional settings, consistently driving impact through capacity building, policy engagement, and cross-sector collaboration aimed at fostering inclusive economic transformation in Malawi and beyond.

ACADEMIC PROFILE

ORCID

EDUCATION

Chrispin holds a PhD candidacy in Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship at LUANAR, and a Master's in Intellectual Property from Africa University. They also completed an MSc in Agricultural and Applied Economics at LUANAR, with a specialization in climate economics through a joint program with NMBU. Chrispin’s academic journey began with a BSc in Agricultural Economics at LUANAR. This multidisciplinary education equipped them with solid analytical, economic, and legal knowledge, enabling a unique perspective in areas like technology commercialization, innovation policy, and startup support across agriculture and allied industries.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Chrispin’s experience spans roles at LUANAR, University of Cape Town, CIIER, UNICEF, and various consulting projects. They currently serve as Technology Transfer Specialist at LUANAR and Co-Director at CIIER Consult. They have led national research initiatives, coordinated innovation projects, and managed IP portfolios. Their practical contributions include supporting university TTO functions, drafting commercialization agreements, and facilitating stakeholder engagement. With years of experience in research assistance and tutoring, they continue to build networks and support systems that drive institutional innovation and entrepreneurial success across multiple sectors.

RESEARCH INTEREST

Chrispin’s research interests lie at the intersection of intellectual property rights, agribusiness development, and sustainable innovation systems. They explore how IP and commercialization mechanisms can foster entrepreneurship, particularly in agriculture and food systems. Their focus extends to climate economics, policy impact evaluation, seed system adoption, and biofortified crop technologies. They are deeply engaged in assessing innovation ecosystems and contributing to frameworks that enable equitable access to knowledge, increase technology adoption, and support inclusive economic empowerment through research-led enterprise development.

AWARD AND HONOR

Chrispin has received several accolades recognizing their leadership and research excellence. These include the Research Award for Outstanding Contribution, Best Graduate and Best Student Awards in Intellectual Property Studies, and multiple Leadership Awards. These honors reflect their commitment to academic excellence, impactful research, and contributions to institutional and national innovation ecosystems. Their accolades are a testament to their consistent pursuit of high standards in both scholarly and professional capacities, particularly in shaping the future of IP and innovation in agriculture and beyond.

RESEARCH SKILL

Chrispin is highly skilled in technology transfer, IP policy design, commercialization strategies, and innovation management. They are proficient in patent search and drafting, market analysis, IP valuation, contract negotiation, and institutional policy development. With experience conducting field research, facilitating focus groups, and managing research ethics, they effectively bridge research and practice. Their ability to communicate technical concepts to diverse stakeholders and mentor early-career innovators underlines their capacity to lead innovation platforms and enhance institutional research translation across academic and entrepreneurial domains.

PUBLICATIONS

Chrispin’s publications reflect their research interest in seed systems, agricultural innovation, and pro-nutritional technology adoption. Notable works include: "More Interventions, Low Adoption: To What Extent Are the Existing Seed Sources to Blame?" and "Does the Adoption of Pro-nutritional Technologies Spur Farmers’ Yields? Evidence from Biofortified Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato in Rural Malawi." These contributions underscore their commitment to evidence-based policy reform and inclusive innovation. Their research is informed by practical field experience and aims to generate insights that support transformative agricultural development.

CONCLUSION

Chrispin K. Kaphaika exemplifies leadership in research commercialization and intellectual property management with a passion for agribusiness transformation and institutional innovation. Their trajectory reflects a rare blend of academic depth, professional engagement, and policy insight. With a vision anchored in inclusive development, Chrispin continues to contribute to building ecosystems that empower communities, elevate startups, and promote knowledge-driven economies. Their career is a model of how multidisciplinary expertise and dedication to equity can drive meaningful change across education, research, and enterprise.

University of Layyah - Pakistan

AUTHOR PROFILE

SUMMARY

Kinza Fatima is a dedicated Food Scientist with a strong foundation in food science and technology, holding both B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees. Her expertise spans food safety, quality consultancy, fermentation, and PCR-based microorganism identification. She has been actively engaged in R&D within microbiology and biotechnology sectors. With notable leadership and teamwork capabilities, she excels in managing food-related projects. Currently seeking a Ph.D. opportunity, she aims to expand her skills and contribute significantly to advancing food industry standards and scientific innovation.

EDUCATION

Kinza holds a Master of Science (Hons.) in Food Technology from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, with a thesis on soy milk-based yogurt flavored with mango pomace. Her Bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Technology was completed at Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan. She has also completed her Intermediate and Matriculation studies with a focus in pre-medical sciences. Her academic background reflects a consistent commitment to excellence in food science disciplines, positioning her well for research and teaching roles in the field.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Currently serving as a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Layyah, Kinza imparts her knowledge in food science and technology to undergraduate students. She has completed internships with the Punjab Food Authority and Hoor Oil and Ghee Mill, gaining firsthand experience in food safety inspections and quality control processes. These roles have enhanced her practical understanding of industrial food operations, contributing to her holistic development as a food scientist, researcher, and educator.

RESEARCH INTEREST

Her primary research interests lie in functional foods, plant-based dairy alternatives, food biotechnology, fermentation science, and the impact of processing on nutrient retention. She is particularly focused on innovation in food extrusion technologies, food safety, bio-functional properties of foods, and preservation techniques. Her ongoing work explores the use of fruit by-products and novel grains to develop sustainable, health-oriented food solutions. She is also enthusiastic about integrating emerging technologies for improved food quality and safety detection.

AWARD AND HONOR

Kinza has been recognized for her academic and creative pursuits with honors such as the PEEF Scholarship from the Government of Punjab and a merit certificate in an essay writing competition. Her scientific abstracts and papers have been accepted for presentation at several international conferences, including the Innovine Science Meeting on Food Safety. These accolades affirm her commitment to academic excellence and her growing presence within the food science research community.

RESEARCH SKILL

Kinza possesses a versatile set of research and technical skills, including proficiency in PCR analyzers, HPLC, GC-MS, atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and various data analysis tools like Minitab and STATISTIX. She is also experienced in food formulation, quality assurance, microbial characterization, and sensory evaluation techniques. Her ability to manage lab research, analyze complex datasets, and present findings effectively underscores her capability as a food science researcher.

PUBLICATIONS

Kinza Fatima has co-authored multiple research papers in reputable journals. Key works include studies on mango pomace soymilk yogurt, corn extrudates with barley-oat flour blends, and the effect of soybean and quinoa on extrudates. She has contributed to reviews on food extrusion and sugarcane juice preservation. Her work is also submitted or under review in top journals like Food Biophysics, Applied Food Research, and Trends in Food Science & Technology, indicating a solid research trajectory.

CONCLUSION

Kinza Fatima demonstrates strong potential as a food science researcher and academic professional. Her blend of academic training, research productivity, and teaching experience makes her a promising candidate for advanced research or doctoral roles. Her dedication to innovation and continuous learning, along with her practical skill set, allows her to contribute meaningfully to modern challenges in food safety, nutrition, and processing. She embodies the values of scientific rigor, industry relevance, and educational impact.