Indaba Seminar Series

Spring 2026

Fall 2025

African Easterly Waves and Extreme Weather: From Seasonal Variability to Global Prediction

Dr. Quinton Lawton, an ASP Postdoctoral Fellow at the NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), shared insights from recent research on African Easterly Wave (AEW) variability and the challenges of tropical wave prediction. His talk highlighted links between AEWs and ENSO, stronger activity during La Niña years, and ongoing efforts to improve forecasting using both physics-based and AI models, with important implications for rainfall and extreme weather prediction across tropical Africa.

– December 12

The Significance and Challenge in Understanding Coastal Rainfall and Cloudiness of West Africa

Dr. Sakaeda, Associate Professor in the School of Meteorology at the University of Oklahoma, delivered an insightful presentation highlighting her research on tropical meteorology. Her talk explored the variability of tropical rainfall and cloudiness across diurnal to subseasonal timescales and examined how these processes influence global atmospheric circulation. The seminar provided valuable perspectives for advancing research and forecasting in tropical and global meteorology, engaging participants from across the scientific community.

– November 21

Spring 2024

Food Security in Africa - Drivers and Triggers for Transformation

Mr. Nourou Macki Tall, Senior Liaison Officer at the Food and Agriculture Organization, presented a pivotal talk on “Food Security in Africa – Drivers and Triggers for Transformation,” with a focus on the Democratic Republic of Congo. The discussion highlighted key factors impacting food security and explored transformative strategies to enhance resilience and sustainability in the African agricultural landscape, engaging a global audience through the online seminar

– April 19

Building Equitable Partnerships to Support Equitable Energy Transitions Around the World

Dr. Elizabeth (Beth) Tennyson, a Senior Research Fellow from the University of Cambridge, shared her expertise on “Building Equitable Partnerships to Support Equitable Energy Transitions Around the World.” The talk focused on fostering collaborations that prioritize fairness in global energy shifts, offering insights into the integration of equity within the energy sector’s evolution. Attendees explored how strategic alliances can advance sustainable and inclusive energy solutions on an international scale.

– March 22

Transforming African Food Systems with Environmental and Climate finance

Mr. Amath Pathe SENE, Managing Director of the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFS-Forum), led an insightful session on “Transforming African Food Systems with Environmental and Climate Finance.” The seminar provided an in-depth analysis of leveraging finance to address climate challenges, aimed at enhancing the resilience and sustainability of food systems across Africa. Participants gained valuable perspectives on integrating environmental strategies into agricultural development.

– February 23

Rethinking Fundamental Materials Processes in Extreme Environment

A thought-provoking lecture titled “Rethinking Fundamental Materials Processes in Extreme Environments,” delivered by Dr. Ericmoore Jossou, a specialist in both Nuclear Science and Electrical Engineering, captivated the online audience, promoting a deeper understanding of engineering in extreme conditions. This seminar highlighted AESEDA’s dedication to advancing scientific knowledge and discourse.

– February 06

Fall 2023

Unraveling Granular Flows: Seminar with Professor Indresan Govender

Professor Indresan Govender elucidated “Granular Flows using Nuclear Imaging, Simulation, and Continuum Modelling” at the EME Hosler Building. With over 20 years of expertise, Govender’s insights sparked engaging discussions, emphasizing the crucial role of nuclear imaging in mineral processing and particle technology.

– October 02

Summer 2023

August 4

Dr. Pascal S. F. Nbelayim, “Nano-Scale Interface Control in Core-Shell Nanostructures Preparations for Stable Functional Materials in Renewable Energy Generation Devices

Spring 2023

February 1

Dr. Shadya Sanders, “A surge of information: How information sources influence African Americans’ protective actions against storm surge”

Dr. Gregory Jenkins, “Climate Justice: Why we can’t wait”

February 8

Dr. Jerry Zhang, “Combining weather model and satellite observations to improve natural hazard prediction”

Dr. Gregory Jenkins, “Low-cost measurements to address climate change and Environmental Justice in Africa”

February 17

Dr. Thjandazile Moyo: “Sustainability in Mineral Resource Extraction: Understanding the linkages in the ore impact chain”

February 22

Dr. Ismaila Diallo: “High Mountain Spring Land Temperature Anomalies Enhances on Global-Scale Summer Precipitation Prediction”

March 17

Dr. Nutifafa Doumon: “Energy Transition – How Vital are the New-Generation Photovoltaic & Optoelectronic Devices?”

April 28

Dr  Ivy M. Asuo: “Novel Materials for Energy Conversion”

Fall 2022

September

Ms. Jori Lewis: “Slaves for Peanuts: A Story of Conquest, Liberation, and a Crop That Changed History”