Yêyinou Laura Estelle Loko

Yêyinou Laura Estelle Loko
Other namesLaura Estelle Yêyinou Loko; Yêyinou Laura Estelle Loko épouse Kone
Alma materUniversity of Abomey-Calavi; University of Yaoundé I; University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines
Known forEnvironmentally friendly biological control methods against insect pests; research on plant genetic resources and pest management in Benin
AwardsOWSD–Elsevier Foundation Award (2023); TWAS–Abdool Karim Award in Biological Sciences (2024); L’Oréal–UNESCO regional postdoctoral fellowship (2014)
Scientific career
FieldsEntomology; crop protection; plant genetic resources
InstitutionsNational University of Sciences, Technologies, Engineering and Mathematics (UNSTIM); National High School of Applied Biosciences and Biotechnologies (ENSBBA)

Yêyinou Laura Estelle Loko is a Beninese entomologist and crop protection researcher. She is an associate professor of zoology and genetics at the National University of Sciences, Technologies, Engineering and Mathematics (UNSTIM) and serves as director of the National High School of Applied Biosciences and Biotechnologies (ENSBBA).[1][2][3]

Loko’s research focuses on environmentally friendly pest management and the conservation and use of plant genetic resources in Benin, including approaches that reduce reliance on synthetic insecticides.[4] She received the 2024 The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS)–Abdool Karim Award in Biological Sciences for contributions to biological control methods against insect pests and work on plant genetic resources in Benin.[1][5]

Early life and education

Loko studied animal biology at the University of Yaoundé I (Cameroon) and later completed graduate study in applied entomology at the University of Abomey-Calavi (Benin).[6] She earned a PhD in plant genetic resources and crop protection at the University of Abomey-Calavi in 2013, and also completed a master’s degree at the University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (France).[6]

Academic and administrative career

Loko has been affiliated with UNSTIM as a lecturer-researcher since 2013.[7] From 2021, she is the director of ENSBBA, then within the “Université des Nouvelles Technologies et des Sciences”.[2][3] Loko was also selected as an African Academy of Sciences Affiliate for the 2020–2024 period, a programme intended to support early- and mid-career African scientists.[6]

Research

Loko’s research addresses insect pests affecting crops and stored products in West Africa, with an emphasis on integrated pest management approaches intended to protect human health and the environment.[4][8]

She has conducted field surveys with farmers in Benin as part of her work on pest challenges and control practices.[9] Her published research includes studies on pest management of dried yam chips and storage pests, including botanical and biological control approaches, and work documenting farmers’ knowledge of pests and local practices in Benin.[10]

Awards and recognition

In February 2023, Loko was named among the seven recipients of the 2023 Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD)–Elsevier Foundation Award for Early-Career Women Scientists in the Developing World, aligned with UN SDG 2 (“Zero Hunger”).[4][8][11]

TWAS announced Loko as the recipient of the 2024 TWAS–Abdool Karim Award in Biological Sciences, citing her contributions to environmentally friendly biological control methods against insect pests and work on knowledge and conservation of plant genetic resources in Benin.[1][5][12] Loko is also a laureate of the L’Oréal–UNESCO regional postdoctoral fellowship for women in science (Sub-Saharan Africa, 2014) and a laureate candidate in the One Planet Fellowship (2020).[1][7][13]

Selected works

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "TWAS announces 2024 slate of awards". TWAS. 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Compte rendu du Conseil des Ministres du 13 oct. 2021". Secrétariat général du Gouvernement du Bénin. 13 October 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Equipe dirigeante ENSBBA". UNSTIM. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  4. ^ a b c "2023 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award winners announced". Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD). 22 February 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  5. ^ a b "17th TWAS General Conference awards digital booklet". TWAS. 26 September 2025. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  6. ^ a b c "Loko Yêyinou Laura Estelle | AAS Affiliate". aasciences.africa. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  7. ^ a b "Laura Estelle Yêyinou Loko – CV (FWIS 2014)". For Women in Science Community. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  8. ^ a b "Women Scientists from Global South on Food Security (Part 3) | TableDebates". www.tabledebates.org. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  9. ^ "Finding natural solutions for devastating insects pests in West Africa". The Elsevier Foundation. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  10. ^ Loko, L. E. Yêyinou; et al. (2017). "Farmers' perception of termites in agriculture production and their indigenous utilization in Northwest Benin". Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. 13 (1) 64. doi:10.1186/s13002-017-0187-2. PMC 5697355. PMID 29157286.
  11. ^ "Focus on food security: seven talented women scientists from the Global South awarded the 2023 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Awards". Elsevier (Press release). 21 February 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  12. ^ "Distinction : Dr Yêyinou Laura Estelle Loko, lauréate du Prix TWAS-Abdoul Karim 2024 en Sciences Biologiques". Kaweru Infos. 14 November 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  13. ^ "One Planet Laureate Candidate wins the prestigious 2023 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Cash Prize". African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD). 29 May 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
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