Dr Elizabeth Bandason’s work has always been driven by a single question: how can science reduce harm while increasing productivity? Her latest effort, Gulugufe, answers that question with a practical, African‑led innovation that reframes pest control as a design challenge rather than a chemical arms race. Elizabeth is an accomplished insect scientist and a Senior Lecturer at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar).
Her research focuses on molecular entomology, insect neuroscience and toxicology. Her career has been shaped by curiosity, purpose and a commitment to translating scientific knowledge into tangible benefits for communities. She is particularly focused on fostering innovation for development and creating sustainable solutions for insect control, targeting both disease vectors that affect public health and agricultural pests.
Her PhD in insect toxicology and behaviour from Michigan State University laid the groundwork for Gulugufe. “I designed experiments from scratch. That PhD taught me not to settle for anything less,” she says.
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What began as a laboratory insight into insect behaviour and neurotoxicology has since evolved into a field‑ready, farmer‑centred approach. Gulugufe rests on a simple but radical premise: insects do not always need to be killed to be controlled.. “Food that is contaminated is not food,” she says.
Her concern is practical and urgent: the cumulative insecticide load on fruits and vegetables, the long‑term health risks for consumers and farmworkers, and the need for affordable, safer options for farmers. “We need to regulate the intensity of insecticide use by giving farmers safer options that are also affordable. The problem I was most determined to solve is increased insecticide loads in fruits and vegetables,” she explains.
Gulugufe demonstrates how African scientists can lead sustainable innovation while aligning public health and agricultural productivity Beyond the lab, Elizabeth’s influence extends into science policy and leadership. She serves as secretary general of the Academy of Sciences in Malawi and as chair of the Malawi chapter of the Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD). Mentorship is central to her practice.
A practice she values from her Award fellowship is the Life Purpose Road Map: every mentee prepares one before joining a project. “Science is not a competition. It is a contribution,” she says.
“I strive to be a mentor who brings out the best in people. They don’t have to be entomologists to be mentored by me, but they have to be the best version of themselves.” She advocates for safe, inclusive workspaces and mentoring that builds confidence, especially for young women who often face self‑doubt, bullying and harassment. Born at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Elizabeth’s commitment to prevention is personal. She grew up in Nchalo, Chikwawa, a farming community where malaria was common.
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