Geoffrey Otim is the Founder and CEO of Synbio Africa - a forum for academics, students, scientists, policymakers, and the general public to convene and develop effective pathways for the development of synthetic biology across Africa. He has over a decade of experience working in the areas of molecular biology, medical laboratory technology, health management, biosafety, biosecurity, and international development with the International Food Policy Research Institute, Marie Stopes International, Uganda Virus Research Institute/World Health Organization, and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. Over the years, Geoffrey has built a robust community of stakeholders in synthetic biology across the African continent including founding the first iGEM team from East Africa, organizing the very first international synthetic biology and biosecurity conference in Africa, and leading the first community-led international biosecurity initiative in Africa (SynBio Africa Global Catastrophic Biological Risks Initiative). He has received several international awards, fellowships, and invitations to speak on topics related to synthetic biology and biosecurity at many international conferences in Africa, Europe, North America, and Asia. Among them are the SB.7 Synthetic Biology Conference in Singapore in 2017, SynBioBeta conference in 2018, and the inaugural World Plastics Summit in Monaco in 2022, as well as the UN Convention on Biodiversity 2018, Global Community Biosummit in Boston in 2019, and others. Geoffrey studied master's degrees in both Molecular Biology and Biotechnology from Makerere University and International Affairs and Diplomacy from UNITAR/University of Catalunya. He graduated from Mbarara University of Science and Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science. In addition, he has taken professional courses in synthetic biology, biosecurity, and science policy. He also holds an Advanced Diploma in Health Management and Leadership from the Uganda Institute of Allied Health and Management Sciences, Mulago.