The Centre for Resilient Agri-Food Systems (CRAFS) at the University of Malawi proudly celebrates the achievement of Lifa Chimphepo, a PhD student in Applied Chemistry, who has been awarded the esteemed TWAS-SISSA-Lincei Research Cooperation Visit Programme. This prestigious award, supported by The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), the International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), and the Lincei Academy, will enable Lifa to undertake a three-month research visit at the Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Italy.

Under the mentorship of Prof. Alois Bonifacio, Lifa will conduct advanced laboratory experiments for his research project, "Analytical Approaches for Characterization and Quantification of Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Food, Water, and Beverages." His work aligns with CRAFS’s research on Food Production and Processing, focusing on food safety and resilience in Malawi.

As part of this collaboration, Lifa is expected to deliver key research outputs, including scientific publications, patents, and institutional reports documenting the impact of his work. He will also present on his home institution and country, sharing insights from his research journey and challenges.

Speaking on the award, Lifa expressed his gratitude:
"I am privileged to receive this TWAS grant, recognizing my research on microplastic pollution in food systems. This opportunity will allow me to work with world-class researchers, gain expertise in advanced analytical techniques, and contribute to scientific innovation in applied chemistry. The skills and knowledge acquired will accelerate my PhD research at the University of Malawi and enhance Malawi’s capacity in cutting-edge environmental and food safety studies."

The administrative and financial aspects of the TWAS-SISSA-Lincei Programme are managed by UNESCO, in partnership with the Italian Government and TWAS.

CRAFS extends its heartfelt congratulations to Lifa on this outstanding milestone and looks forward to the significant contributions his research will bring to the scientific community and Malawi’s food resilience efforts.