Dr. Amanda Nasse, Tanna, Vanuatu

Dr. Amanda Nasse made history earlier this month as the first woman from Tanna, Vanuatu, to earn a PhD.

Graduating from Massey University, Aotearoa, with a PhD in ethnobotany, Dr. Nasse’s research focused on the interaction between indigenous cultures and plants, specifically examining the role of sweet potato in local food systems. Her thesis explored how the cultivation of sweet potato can support food security and resilience in subsistence farmer communities. Through her study, she demonstrated how the revitalisation of sweet potato, along with the integration of traditional farming knowledge and modern agricultural practices, can help strengthen local resilience, especially in the face of extreme challenges such as climate change.

Dr. Nasse’s journey into horticulture and ethnobotany has been deeply influenced by her personal experiences, growing up as a Bahá'í in Tanna and learning from her parents of the importance of education as a tool for both individual growth and social transformation. Her academic path was shaped by a commitment to community development, and her fieldwork in Tanna involved working closely with local communities, blending local culture with scientific research.

Source: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/philippe.gerling/posts/pfbid025hWFkbVE5z7QJaBv…