Anna Ngwenyi Mafor
Arrell Scholar, Engineering
Anna’s research focuses on designing a fully automated, scalable, and cost-effective, aeroponic greenhouse system. The goal for the smart system is to allow farmers to make more informed decisions through its anytime-anyplace monitoring, while also helping agriculture to become more sustainable by enabling precise resource use.
Learn more about Arrell Scholarships“As an innovative problem solver, I believe that sustainable growth in agricultural productivity is the one which depletes neither the people nor the land. Therefore, implementing green technology for sustainable agriculture is a way to achieve a better planet. As for me, the best place to achieve this goal is through the AFI scholarship at the University of Guelph.“
Research Interests and Future Goals
Hailing from the Northwest region of Cameroon, Africa, Anna is a researcher, teacher and entrepreneur in the agri-tech space. She holds a Bachelor of Technology in Computer Network Systems Maintenance with a first-class degree from the University of Bamenda, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Information and Communication Technology from the University of Buea. Anna is also the co-founder of a successful startup, Multi-Tech Sustainable Solutions, and won the African Youth Adaptation Challenge at COP27 in 2022. She has a strong passion for agriculture and technology and enjoys using her technical skills to solve community issues and advance sustainable innovation.
Anna is working on her Masters in the School of Engineering under the supervision of Dr. Sheng Yang. Through her research, Anna hopes to tackle crucial issues facing today’s agricultural sector such as water scarcity, soil degradation, and climate change. Her research focuses on designing an automated aeroponic greenhouse system equipped with the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence. This proposed smart aeroponic system will enable farmers to use less water, pesticides and nutrients and have a shorter crop growth rate, making agriculture more sustainable. Anna’s goal is to use her innovations to strengthen food security and deliver environmental benefits to farmers.
Why become an Arrell Scholar?
Anna came to learn of the University of Guelph as a top comprehensive University recognized worldwide for its teaching, outstanding facilities and research expertise in food, agri-innovation, and technology. She was particularly fascinated by Arrell Food Institute’s offering of a transformational leadership experience in the agri-food sector. As an Arrell Scholar, Anna will be exposed to transversal and multidisciplinary approaches to a broad range of topics related to science and technology, and sustainable food systems.