Dr. Hilaire Kpongbe | Chemical Ecology Awards | Excellence in Research Award

Dr. Hilaire Kpongbe, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Benin

Dr. Hilaire Kpongbe is an accomplished entomologist and chemical ecologist specializing in integrated pest management and nature-based surveillance systems. With a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences from North-West University, South Africa, and an MSc in Agricultural Entomology from the University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin, he has over a decade of interdisciplinary research experience across Africa. Dr. Kpongbe’s work focuses on semiochemical tools for sustainable pest control, aiming to reduce reliance on harmful insecticides while improving crop protection. He has held research and leadership roles at premier institutions including ICIPE and IITA, coordinated international projects, published scientific papers, and mentored PhD students. Notable recognitions include the DAAD Postdoctoral Fellowship and the ICIPE Governing Council Prize. He is also an active member of several professional entomology associations and serves as a peer reviewer for international journals.

Professional Profile:

ORCID

Summary of Suitability for Excellence in Research Award – Dr. Hilaire Kpongbe

Dr. Hilaire Kpongbe exemplifies Excellence in Research through his impactful work in entomology, chemical ecology, and integrated pest management, addressing real-world agricultural and environmental challenges. With over a decade of multidisciplinary research experience across prestigious institutions such as the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Dr. Kpongbe has consistently demonstrated scientific innovation, leadership, and global collaboration.

🎓 Education

Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences (Behavioral and Chemical Ecology)
North-West University, South Africa – Oct 2019
🧪 Thesis: Insect behaviors & chemical ecology (plant-insect interactions)
M.Sc. in Agricultural Entomology (IPM)
University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin – June 2014
🌾 Focus: Integrated pest management and plant protection
B.Sc. in Life Sciences (Chemistry, Biology & Ecology)
Université d’Abomey, Benin – Dec 2009
🔬 Emphasis: Ecology of insects and plants

💼 Work Experience

Postdoctoral Fellow
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Kenya – Apr 2023 to Jan 2025
🌿 Developed nature-based pest surveillance systems using semiochemicals
🔍 Pheromone trap testing, plant odor analysis, GC/MS, insect rearing, and student supervision
Laboratory Manager
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Benin – Jan 2021 to Jan 2023
🧫 Managed behavioral assays, lab equipment, and GC/MS operations
Consultant
CIRAD, SGPI, IITA, icipe – Multiple periods (2019–2025)
🧪 Expertise in pesticide residue analysis, environmental audits, and biocontrol strategies
🌍 Worked across Kenya, Benin, Nigeria, Ghana, and Burkina Faso
DAAD Postdoctoral Fellow
IITA, Benin – Oct 2021 to Sept 2022
🧲 Validated aggregation pheromones and tested compatibility with natural enemies
PhD Research Fellow
icipe, Kenya – Oct 2015 to Nov 2019
🐛 Discovered and analyzed semiochemicals; led genetic studies on stink bugs
🧬 Techniques: DNA extraction, PCR, GC/MS, EAD

🏆 Awards & Honors

🥇 2021 – DAAD Postdoctoral Fellowship
🏅 2019 – icipe Governing Council Prize for Best PhD Science Paper ($200)
🎓 2017–2018 – International Bursary from North-West University, South Africa ($10,200)

🤝 Professional Affiliations

🌍 Member, African Association of Insect Sciences (AAIS) (2021–Present)
🐞 Member, Society of Entomologists of Benin (SERB) (2015–Present)
🌱 Member, IITA Plant Health Network (2020–2022)
📝 Peer Reviewer, International Journal of Tropical Insect Science (2023–Present)

Publication Top Notes:

Exploring levels of egg parasitism and variation in egg cuticular chemistry in different Clavigralla spp.

Isopentyl butanoate: aggregation pheromone of the brown spiny bug, Clavigralla tomentosicollis(Hemiptera: Coreidae), and Kairomone for the egg parasitoid Gryon sp. (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae)

Assist. Prof. Dr. Wei-Guo Jia, Anhui Normal University, China

Wei-Guo Jia, is an accomplished Associate Professor at the College of Chemistry and Materials Science at Anhui Normal University. He earned his Ph.D. in chemistry from Fudan University in 2009 under the supervision of Prof. Guo-Xin Jin. With a robust research focus on transition metal complexes, half-sandwich functional complexes, and carbene chemistry, he has made significant contributions to the field. Notable achievements include the solid synthesis of half-sandwich functional complexes, enhancing their functionalities, and developing innovative strategies to access cyclometalated platinum(II) N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes. Wei-Guo is an active member of the Chinese Chemical Society and has published extensively in reputable journals, demonstrating his commitment to advancing chemical research.

Summary of Suitability:

Wei-Guo Jia’s innovative research, consistent publication record, and dedication to sustainable chemistry position him as a deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His work significantly impacts both theoretical chemistry and its practical applications, making him an exemplary figure in his field.

Achievements 🏆

Research Publications:

Published 5 research articles in high-impact journals (SCI, Scopus).

Innovative Contributions:

Developed solid synthesis methods for half-sandwich functional complexes, enhancing their functionality.
Introduced a novel strategy for cyclometalated platinum(II) N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes.

Collaborations:

Collaborated with notable researchers like Richmond Lee.

Publication Top Notes:

New Route to Cycloplatinated N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes via Iodide Assisted C‐H Activation and Proton Transfer

Recyclable N-Heterocyclic Carbene Porous Coordination Polymers with Two Distinct Metal Sites for Transformation of CO2 to Cyclic Carbonates

Mechanochemical synthesis of half‐sandwich iridium/rhodium complexes with 8‐hydroxyquinoline derivatives ligands

Postsynthetic Modification of Half-Sandwich Ruthenium Complexes by Mechanochemical Synthesis

Synthesis, characterization, and catalytic activity of half‐sandwich ruthenium complexes with pyridine/phenylene bridged NHC = E (NHC = N‐heterocyclic carbene, E = S, Se) ligands