Christopher Tobe Okolo defended his doctoral thesis on Identification, Virulence and Ecological Characterization of Indigenous Entomopathogenic Nematodes as Biological Control Agents Against Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in Nigeria. His doctoral degree was granted by the Faculty of Agricultural, Nutritional and Engineering Sciences, University of Bonn His First Supervisor was Prof. Dr Christian Borgemeister, his Second Supervisor was Prof. Dr Florian Grundler (support with lab facilities at Molecular Phytomedicine MPM- INRES), whereas Prof. Dr. Joachim von Braun chaired his examination committee and Prof. Dr. Lisa Biber-Freudenberger was an Expert member of the Examination committee. 

Are you enthusiastic about analyzing and promoting sustainable development? And do you have a creative research idea related to sustainable food systems, agriculture, nutrition, health, climate change, biodiversity, migration, governance, and conflict? The Center for Development Research (ZEF) at the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn is the best place for you to do such research.

Mayra Alejandra Martin Espinosa defended her thesis on “Online communication and mobilization throughout the COVID-19 pandemic: The case of the Colombian non-governmental sector and their target populations in shaping transformative action”. Her doctoral degree was granted by the Faculty of Arts at the University of Bonn. Her Supervisor and First Reviewer was Prof. Dr. Eva Youkhana. Members of the Examination Committee were: Prof. Dr. Kristina Großmann (Head), Prof. Dr. Anna Katharina-Hornidge (Second Reviewer) and Prof. Dr. Gesa Birnkraut (External Member).

Researchers, policymakers, and representatives from agricultural export companies and farmer associations gathered in Entebbe, Uganda on February 25-26 2026, for a workshop on “The True Cost of Food: Policies for Sustainable Production of Coffee and Other Export-Oriented Crops in East Africa.” 

Professor Michael Bohnet was one of the influential pioneers in the establishment of ZEF. As an Executive Director of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) he played a key role in designing the idea for ZEF in the mid-1990s.

Fariha Farjana defended her doctoral thesis on “Innovation adoption among smallholder farmers in Bangladesh and effects on agricultural production and dietary quality” Her doctoral degree was granted by the Faculty of Agricultural, Nutritional and Engineering Sciences of the University of Bonn Her supervisor was Prof. Dr. Matin Qaim and her tutor Dr. Thanh-Tung Nguyen (ZEF ECON senior researcher) Fariha about her research: “Increased farm output and production diversity do not necessarily mean improved dietary quality for smallholders. While digital access can improve farm performance and diets, certain labor-demanding farming practices, i.e. rice-aquaculture and structural barriers, such as land fragmentation, may inadvertently erode income potential and nutritional gains”.      

Elza Samantha Elmira has successfully defended her doctoral thesis on “The nutrition transition in low- and middle-income countries: The role of socioeconomic factors, culture, and the food environment” Her doctoral degree was granted by the Faculty of Agricultural, Nutritional and Engineering Sciences at the University of Bonn Her supervisor was Prof. Dr. Matin Qaim and her tutor: Dr. Bezawit Beyene Chichaibelu (ZEF senior researcher). Elza about her research: “Building strong and healthy human capital goes beyond providing a plate of food. It requires understanding how socioeconomic conditions, cultural norms, and the food environment interact within households, across communities, and over time to shape health and nutrition”.   

Chrispinus Mutsami successfully defended his doctoral thesis on Off-farm employment, gender, and nutrition in rural Africa. Chrispinus’ doctoral degree was granted by the Faculty of Agricultural, nutritional, and engineering sciences, University of Bonn. His supervisor was Prof. Dr. Matin Qaim and his work was tutored by Dr. Martin Parlasca.