Impact of IFS on My Life – Professor Eléonore Chikani Yayi-Ladekan

In 1993, I completed my Maîtrise in chemistry (equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree at that time) at the University of the Republic of Benin. Apart from teaching physics and chemistry at secondary schools, no other professional option was offered. However, I was among the lucky first batch of students who were able to start a postgraduate and doctoral programme in organic chemistry (option in material chemistry) at the University of Benin. In 1994, thanks to one of the promoters of the postgraduate programme, the late Professor Olatundji, our university started courses for the Diplôme d’Études approfondies (DEA, or Diploma of Advanced Studies).

The team leader of my host laboratory had just started a collaborative programme among a number of countries. In West Africa it included my country, the Republic of Benin, as well as Togo and Ghana. The project targeted aromatic plants. I was one of the postgraduate students included from Benin. I carried out research on three plants: Ocimum gratissimum, Ocimum basilicum and Ocimum canum. The main objective of my DEA research project was to compare the chemical composition of these plants. I prepared a few samples in Benin from different parts of these plants from which I extracted the essential oils. The collaborative programme awarded a grant to cover my travel and stay costs at our university partners in France, the Blaise Pascal University in Clermont Ferrand, and University of Science and Techniques of LanguedocMontpellier 2. Thanks to the grant, I was able to take the samples to France to conduct the chemistry analyses at our partners’ laboratories, as they were better equipped for these specific needs.

My Second Lucky Break – Inspiration from IFS Grantees

While I was a DEA programme student, I came across a few IFS grantees at the Faculty of Agriculture Sciences of the university. From them I learned about IFS and how it supported their research projects. I specifically found interesting their research at the Laboratory of Applied Ecology at the Campus of Champ de Foire in Cotonou. These contacts appeared to be my second luck. I was inspired by them to continue engaging in scientific research, and became motivated to compete for an IFS grant to continue research for a PhD programme.

With the support and advice from some of these IFS grantees, I planned to start research to increase our scientific knowledge of these three aromatic plants. I was interested to investigate the impact of the different sites of production (in northern, central and southern parts of Benin) and of the different vegetative phases of the plants on the composition and quality of the essential oils of Ocimum species.

My Experience with IFS Grants

I applied successfully for an IFS research grant in 1996 for the project entitled Impact of ecological and physiological data on the chemical composition of three species of the genus Ocimum from Benin. The grant amounted to USD 9500. I decided to have some of the funds administered by IFS. Thanks to IFS’s purchasing support, my laboratory could smoothly acquire the necessary equipment as requested in my application. The remaining funds were transferred to my institution to facilitate travel for sample collection.

As a result of IFS support, I was able to successfully conduct my research project, and in 1998 I completed my PhD and graduated, becoming the first Beninese woman PhD holder in Chemistry. This was a stimulating factor for me to continue further in scientific research and a career in higher education. In 1999 I won the Prize of the Belgian Secretary of State for Cooperation after submission of my research work and results. In 2004, I applied successfully for a second IFS research grant for my research project on the Ocimum genus in Benin. The objectives were to investigate the biological properties of essential oils during plant development. I managed to successfully achieve the scientific objectives and publish in high-impact journals. But the experience gained from the IFS grants also encouraged me to build a team. I also contributed to strengthening the capacities of my university since trainees and postgraduate students at our laboratory could use the equipment that was bought with my two IFS grants. In addition, I could supervise students at the postgraduate level, encourage and support them to apply for research grants, not only to IFS but also to other research funding agencies. This was to help them understand that it is a part of a scientist’s life to raise funds for their research. You may not succeed at first, but this should not discourage you from continuing to try.

IFS has also been a good catalyst for my networking. Through the Beninese IFS Alumni Association (ABIFS), founded in early 2000, IFS grantees are able to network, learn who is doing what and where, exchange research ideas, get advice on how to write winning scientific proposals, and discuss scientific issues of common interest. I joined the alumni association and in 2005-2006, I was elected its general secretary under the presidency of the food scientist Professor Joseph Hounhouigan.

Thanks to travel grants, IFS opened further doors to me to be exposed to a regional or international scientific arena, and to present my research findings orally or on posters at conferences. I was able to participate in meetings in Abuja, Nigeria; Yaounde, Cameroon; and Nairobi, Kenya. This exposure made me known to other scientists working on the same research topics and opened avenues for potential collaboration. With an IFS travel grant, I could stay as a postdoc during my second grant period at a laboratory in France to carry out analyses using advanced methods. It is important to emphasise as well that when I published, it increased not only my scientific visibility among peers but also that of my laboratory and institution of affiliation.

Apart from the findings of my research, a lesson learnt from the experience that I went through is the attention to be paid to traditional healers and to traditional knowledge. Indeed, during my travel to the production sites to collect my samples, I learnt from them that it is not advisable to collect the plants for therapeutic uses after dark. Indeed, my research showed that the biological properties of Ocimum gratissimum decreased after sunset.

Trying to identify the impacts of IFS grants and support on my development as a scientist, I would highlight the following points:

> After my Maîtrise, there was another career opening up beyond teaching in secondary schools.

> I could believe in my capability to carry out research and grow as a scientist.

> I could contribute to the facilities development of my laboratory with the equipment bought with the IFS grant.

> My scientific publications increased my university’s scientific visibility and credibility.

> I gained more understanding of traditional knowledge that could be interpreted and linked with scientific research.

> My scientific network, at national, regional and international levels, has been strengthened.

> In return for encouragement from IFS, from the network of IFS grantees, from my postgraduate and PhD supervisors in Benin and in France, I believe in the value of team work and of sharing with younger students my experience and knowledge.

In summary, the success of my work to date is the result of teamwork and collaboration within national and international contexts, and this largely is thanks to the opportunities first opened up through the IFS grants.

Further Impacts of IFS on My Life – Beyond Pure Science

As my scientific visibility increased, I gained credibility among my university administrative authorities and national scientific bodies. For example:

> I was elected deputy head of the Chemistry Department in 2004.

> Two years later, while I conducted research and supervised postgraduate students, I was appointed technical adviser of a ministry for their projects and programmes for six years.

> The visibility and credibility went beyond national frontiers: from 2011 to date, I have served as the elected general secretary of the Société Ouest Africaine de ChimieSOACHIM (West African Chemical Society) for the Benin section.

> In 2012, I was nominated director of the university student welfare agency (Centre des Oeuvres Universitaires et Sociales) which allowed me to come in closer contact with my faculty department.

> In 2015 I was appointed Minister for Pre-school and Primary Education, based in Porto Novo City.

> From 2017-2019, I was vice-rector in charge of cooperation and professional integration.

> During this period, I was the country coordinator for an important Belgian institutional support project. This enabled me to be again in close working contact with my first laboratory and team.

Despite my administrative responsibilities, as my first IFS grant time convinced me of my genuine interest in generating knowledge, I keep in contact and work closely with academia. I continue giving lectures for the Bachelor’s programme in organic chemistry, on chromatographic and spectroscopic methods for analysing natural products, as well from time to time on environmental chemistry.

This is the expression of my passion to share my experience with the young generation, to contribute to the strengthening of their scientific skills, and to inspire them to develop an interest in scientific research. I have supervised six PhD thesis from 2014-2021, five postgraduate students from 2010-2015 and three students in the CAPES (diploma for secondary school teaching). In addition:

> I am the first woman professor in chemistry in Benin.

> From 2019 to date, I am Minister for Higher Education and Scientific Research in the Republic of Benin.

> I am a member of the Ministers Council of CAMES (African and Malagasy Council for Higher Education in French Speaking Countries of Africa) for the past three years. Together with my CAMES counterparts, I contribute to encouraging and promoting young women scientists through coaching activities for their personal development, scientific growth, and promotion.

Closing Words – Women Can Do! Women Can Be Science Leaders!

For me, IFS support was a key factor that enabled me to develop my scientific skills and professional visibility, and my social skills in working with different actors involved in the problems addressed in my research projects. My research experience helped me to understand the importance of teamwork, of being a good listener, and of being an inspiring leader for your team members.

With humility I can say that I proved that women can be good scientists. I have inspired many young early-career women in science. This has led to many requests from young people for me to support and mentor their activities as their “beloved mother”. Without IFS support, for sure I would have not been able to start and grow in my scientific career and professional life. I am grateful for their support and trust when they identified me as a promising and talented young scientist. However, I would also like to acknowledge the support and encouragement of my supervisors, of IFS grantees in Benin who shared with me their experience, who gave advice and inspired me to choose my research topics, and who encouraged me to compete for IFS research grants. There are many of them and I cannot name all due to page limitation, but I wish to acknowledge at least the following scientists: Professor Georges Accrombessi, Professor Mansourou Moudachirou and all our laboratory and department team members; Professor Jean Claude Chalchat in Clermont Ferrand and the late Professor Gérard Lamaty in Montpellier who supervised me during my stays at their respective laboratories. I also express my gratitude to the following IFS alumni: Professor Brice Sinsin, Professor Adam Ahanchede and Professor Joseph Hounhouigan. I also acknowledge the commitment of my assistants at the ministry who were involved in the logistical preparations for my interview for this essay on the impact of IFS on my life.