Professor Michael Wolday Bairu has a Ph.D. in Plant Physiology and Molecular biology; MSc in Science and BSc in Agricultural Plant Sciences. He has worked across most sectors of employment (NGO, Government, private and public sector research, tertiary institutions) in the past 27 years. Currently, he is the Research Team Manager and Principal Researcher in the Root, Tuber, and Bulbous Crops Research Programme of the South African Agricultural Research Council. He is also the manager of genetic resources for Vegetables, Industrial, Medicinal and Ornamental Crops. Prof Bairu is affiliated with Northwest University as an Extraordinary Professor in the Food Security and Safety focus areas. His research focus areas are plant biotechnology, breeding, and physiology. Prof Bairu has worked extensively on indigenous/indigenized underutilized crops. Prof Bairu has published extensively (over 50) in peer-reviewed journals. He has contributed to numerous national and international meetings and conferences. He is actively involved in postgraduate student supervision and training. He leads multidisciplinary research teams that conduct public R&D. Prof Bairu is married and has three children. He is an Eritrean and a Permanent Resident of South Africa.