Dr. Salome Guchu is a professional with extensive experience in advancing research and innovation ecosystems and strengthening higher education across East Africa. She has played a key role in nurturing researchers and innovators, developing national and regional research and innovation policy frameworks, and shaping guidelines that enhance research capacity and improve the quality of higher education.

With a strong scientific research background, Dr. Guchu holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Nairobi, Kenya. Over the years, she has developed expertise in programme and project management, as well as policy advisory, effectively working at the intersection of academia, government, and industry. She has demonstrated excellence in programme coordination, multi-stakeholder convening, and partnership development, while leading initiatives that promote collaboration, create enabling environments, and translate strategic priorities into actionable programmes.

Before joining IUCEA, Dr. Guchu led the establishment of the Kenya National Innovation Agency, where she initiated key programmes aimed at nurturing innovators and supporting the commercialisation of innovations as critical components of strengthening the national innovation ecosystem. Dr. Guchu served as a member of the United Nations 10-Member Group appointed by the Secretary-General from 2021 to 2023 to support the UN Technology Facilitation Mechanism and advise on leveraging science, technology, and innovation to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. She has also served as a Board Director at various national institutions in Kenya’s science, technology, and innovation sector.