Main research interest covers areas of business strategies; business modelling, entrepreneurship and innovation management; international trade; analysis and management of agricultural value chains; Policies and Food Security as well as climate change and life cycle assessment in the agriculture sectors. I am very conversant with some of the life cycle management tools and techniques like Life Cycle costing (LCC), Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA), Input-output Analysis (IOA) and efficiency analysis. With a multi-disciplinary academic background comprising BSc. in Food Science and Technology, Masters in Agricultural economics both from Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania and PhD in International Marketing and Trade (Specialized in Business Modelling); I am highly interested in integrated research projects between science, technology, innovation (STI) and business management; climate change, and other issues that have an impact upon people at the grass roots level.

Apart of being a Lectures and Researcher Dr. Mkunda is leading the NM-AIST Technology transfer and commercialization office (TTCO) and her main role is to create processes for commercialization of technologies (Products and Services) developed by schools and students through exploration and evaluation of market potential as well as seeking industry partners who are best placed to take advantage of these technologies, and negotiate the licensing terms to develop a mutually beneficial business relationship. Dr. Mkunda is also pioneering the NM-AIST Gender committee which is mandated to implement the approved gender policy and regulations of the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and technology. Her role is to promote gender equality and mainstreaming gender in programs and projects with the view to facilitate sustainable social, cultural, political and economic development. Recently she given the role of Risk Coordinator and her main role is spearheading the implementation the approved NM-AIST Risk Management Policy and Framework.

Before joining NM-AIST, she worked with several intergovernmental and non-government organizations as a Regional Agricultural Inputs Trade Specialist for the East African Community (EAC), a Regional Lobbying and Advocacy Manager at the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation, and a Commodities Manager at World Vision Tanzania. She has been also offering consultancies services to government and non-governmental organizations as stipulated hereunder.

• Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) with Roll No. 9407 of the Roll of Advocates of Tanzania Mainland since 2020

Ongoing Projects
1. Linking East and West African Farming Systems Experience into a BELT of Sustainable Intensification – EWA-BELT 2019 -2023
2. Sustainable valorization of agro-industrial residues through integration of food, bio products and bio-energy production (AGROVAL)” March, 2022 – February, 2026, Funded by DANID
3. Co-PI Solar Powered Horticulture Cold Chain (SOLTEC) Project
4. Earning Mobility of Individuals – Higher Education Staff (Teaching and Training) mobility. program: ERASMUS PLUSKA107 – Higher education student and Staff Mobility between programs and partners country, 2021 -2023
Phase Out Projects
1. Dec. 2021 – April, 2021: Co-PI Consultancy work in Food Safety Risk assessment of Fruits and Vegetables Supply Value Chain in Southern Highlands of Tanzania
2. 2014: Agrofood Policies and regional Integration: for Practice and Solidarity between Europe and Africa: Consultancy work which was co-financed by the General Direction of Development Cooperation (DGCD-Belgium) and the European Commission in the framework of Europe Africa Project
3. 2014: Grant Proposal on “Empowering smallholder farmers to Engage on land issues for sustainable agriculture” funded by USAID worth 1 million US$,
4. 2013 – 2015: Management of a Refugees Relief Program worth 20 Million US$ Funded by United Nations World Food Program (WFP)– World Vision Tanzania
5. Life Cycle Costing Analysis for AUWSA water project funded by under Water Aid Tanzania, May 2022
6. Cost of Living Analysis for September, 2021 to September, 2022- Consultancy Work Water Aid Tanzania

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