Abdul-Rasaq Adebowale, a Nigerian, is a Project Coordinator – Cassava Processing and Value Chain Development Expert at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and is based in Kinshasa, DR Congo. He obtained his BSc in Food Science and Technology, as well as his MSc and PhD in Food Processing and Storage Technology, from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Nigeria. He also holds certificates in Lost Harvest and Wasted Food from Wageningen University, Netherlands, and Active Innovative University Teaching from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. His specialization and research interests include post-harvest handling, processing and value addition, food safety, product development, and storage stability.

Abdul-Rasaq Adebowale has significantly contributed to capacity development in Food Science and Technology across academia, industry, and livelihood improvement programs. He has supervised seven PhD students, 35 MSc students, and over 80 undergraduate students.

He worked as a Research Associate at IITA Ibadan from 2004 to 2005 before joining FUNAAB as an Assistant Lecturer in 2005. He became a full Professor in 2018 and served as the pioneer Director of Research, Innovations, and Partnerships. His consultancy roles include being a National Consultant for the UN International Trade Centre and a member of the Technical Advisory Committee for the Promoting Rice Fortification in Nigeria Project. He also served as the Regional Coordinator for the World Bank-sponsored project on Nigerian Flash Drying and was the Processing Expert for the Gates Foundation’s “Cassava: Adding Value for Africa, Phase 2.”He is a member or fellow of numerous national, regional, and international professional associations, including the Nigeria Institute of Food Science and Technology, International Union of Food Science and Technology, and International Society for Tropical Root Crops.