Francis Nang'ayo is an ecologist with a BSc (Hons) degree in botany and zoology from the University of Nairobi, an MSc in environmental biology from the University of Guelph in Canada, a PhD in applied ecology from the University of London and a Postgraduate Diploma in Entomology from the Imperial College, London. Before joining AATF, he worked for the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) where he was General Manager in charge of biosafety, plant quarantine and phytosanitary affairs. Francis has served as consultant to a number of organisations and is a member of several professional societies and working groups including the Entomological Society of Kenya where he is chairman. He is also a member of Kenya's National Biosafety Committee (NBC), KARI's Institutional Biosafety Advisory Committee and the Kenya Standing Technical Committee on Import and Export (KSTCIE) of plants and plant products. Francis' experience is useful in providing guidance on appropriate mechanisms, processes and protocols for harnessing benefits arising from modern agricultural technologies while safeguarding against potential risks to public health and the environment. He is responsible for development and management of components critical for the regulatory approval process for deployment of agricultural technologies including ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements of target countries for AATF projects. Francis is a Kenya national.