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From the Shadows to the Limelight

By Calum Ellwood

Dr. Esther Nujoma, an agricultural biotechnologist with the Namibia Institute of Applied Sciences, is the author of several books on the practical applications of biotechnology. - [1] - . According to book critic Paige Kinnock of the London Daily Register, "Dr. Nujoma has increased the public's awareness of the role of biotechnology in daily life through her ability to translate highly complex scientific material into simple language." Her latest work, Shining Behind Shadows, marks a departure from her usual subject matter. - [2] - . Rather, the book highlights the lives and careers of twelve of her peers from Africa and Asia. The idea came to her three years ago at a conference in Chile. As Dr. Nujoma recalls, "Listening to one speaker after another, I realized that many of my colleagues are from regions of the world, such as Africa and Asia, that were underrepresented." - [3] - . The book is quite compelling. Dr. Nujoma brings to life the stories of how her peers were drawn to the profession and the effort they pour into their work. The book does, however, fall short in one respect: it provides insights only into the lives and careers of those working in the field of agricultural biotechnology. I would have welcomed the stories of those specializing in animal, marine, or medical biotechnology, too. - [4] - . Even so, Dr. Nujoma has again succeeded in creating a work that speaks to experts and laypeople alike.