The Republic of Mauritius, a small island nation off the
coast of Madagascar, showcases a high level of biodiversity, making it a
natural draw for natural products chemists interested in exploring the
possibilities among its flora for the supplement and cosmetics industries. Independent
from British colonization since 1968, its population of 1.3 million people
enjoys one of the highest gross domestic products (GDPs) of an African nation,
with a growing financial sector and tourism industry. On June 5, 2015, research
scientist and American Botanical Council (ABC) Advisory Board member Ameenah
Gurib-Fakim, PhD, was sworn in as the nation’s first female president.
Prior to her appointment as President, Dr. Gurib-Fakim served dual roles as
researcher and academic. At her company, Centre for Phytotherapy Research
(CEPHYR), she used her background in organic chemistry to perform clinical
trials on pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and dietary supplements, developing
innovative ingredients from the abundance of plants unique to Mauritius. Over
the course of her career, she has authored or co-authored several notable texts
documenting the traditional knowledge of the area, including African Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AAMPS,
2010), Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of
the Indian Ocean Islands (MedPharm, 2004), and Novel Plant Bioresources: Applications in Food, Medicine and Cosmetics
(Wiley-Blackwell, 2014). She also served the University of Mauritius for 23
years, beginning as a lecturer for the Faculty of Agriculture and, from
2004-2010, holding the position of Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning.
Dr. Gurib-Fakim gave a TED Talk in 2014 emphasizing the
importance of preserving and actively conserving natural resources called
“Humble plants that hide surprising secrets.”1 In her talk, she
highlighted five plants from Mauritius with documented traditional uses and
possible pharmaceutical applications — but pointed out that Mauritius also was
the home of the famously extinct dodo bird, and human interaction with the
environment could precipitate the same disaster on the delicate diversity
regions of the planet. She has been a passionate advocate for a proactive
approach toward urbanization, climate change, and the study of natural
products.
The road to the highest office of Mauritius, however, was an unusual one. “I
did not choose politics,” said Dr. Gurib-Fakim. “Politics chose me!” Her
appointment to the role, which is largely ceremonial, followed the resignation
of former president Kailash Purryag. Going into the recent election, leaders of
her party, Alliance Lepep, approached her and asked if she would be willing to
accept the position. “They wanted a person who was politically neutral,” she
explained, “a woman and one who had some form of credibility. I had the
scientific credibility and was known internationally. My name was proposed and
the party won!” The opposing party also approved her appointment, making the
official vote from the parliament only a formality. Dr. Gurib-Fakim described
politics as a “national sport” in Mauritius, with a population that is actively
involved in the general elections. Voter turnout can be as high as 80% of the
electorate. (As a matter of comparison, voter turnout in the 2012 presidential
election in the United States was estimated at 57.5%.)
Her credibility is well-documented. Dr. Gurib-Fakim’s work has international
recognition, as she has lent her talents to a number of different organizations,
including the following: International Council for Science (formerly the
International Council of Scientific Unions), Mauritius Research Council, the
Indian Ocean University, Pan-African Association of African Medicinal Plants,
the Reference Group of the International Science Programme of Uppsala
University in Sweden, and the International Foundation for Science in
Stockholm. She has also served as a member of the Expert Panel on Infectious Diseases
of the Special Programme convened by the United Nations Development Program, United
Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organization and the World Bank,
the Scientific Advisory Council of NTembi, the Nuclear Energy Commission of
South Africa, the International Advisory Committee for the Cyclotron project of
the Indian Ocean based in La Réunion (a French island southwest of Mauritius),
and the Advisory Board of the American Botanical Council (since 2010). She has
used her education and her passion for her country to build a reputation first
as a scientist, then as an academic, and most recently as a political leader.
She hopes that her newest role will inspire other women to follow in her
footsteps and emphasize the importance of science and conservation in
education.
In a statement before Parliament presenting the motion to elect Dr.
Gurib-Fakim, Mauritian Prime Minister Sir Anerood Jugnauth called her “the
perfect role model and a source of inspiration for our youth.”
“Science, technology and innovation [STI] creates
opportunities and improves the GDP,” explained Dr. Gurib-Fakim. “If
institutions build capacity, have a strong STI policy in place, and promote the
entrepreneurial spirit among the young people, we will improve economic
indicators and create opportunities and jobs.”
—Hannah Bauman
Reference
1. Gurib-Fakim A.
Humble plants that hide surprising secrets. Talk presented at: TEDGlobal 2014; October
2014; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Available here. Accessed July 2, 2015.
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