Mentors

Mentors for Pilot Cohort 1 — 2026

Researchers and practitioners who supported the first AIxBio Africa Research Fellowship cohort through project guidance and feedback.

Research Fellowship

Pilot Cohort 1 Mentors

Our first cohort was supported by mentors spanning policy, technical AI, and governance. Their role was to help fellows sharpen research questions, strengthen their approach, and navigate the development of their projects.

Mark Aiken portrait
Policy Mentor

Mark Aiken

Mark is a lawyer and AI governance practitioner with over 20 years of experience advancing good governance, institutional reform, and public policy across Africa, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East. His work spans governments, the United Nations, multilateral development banks, and international organizations, leading complex governance initiatives in high-risk and politically sensitive environments. His current research focuses on the governance of AI, with particular interest in decision support systems and their responsible deployment across the public and private sectors.

Gowthaam Gokulakrishnan portrait
Technical Mentor

Gowthaam Gokulakrishnan

Gowthaam is a Senior Machine Learning Engineer at a Bulge Bracket Bank. He is passionate about building AI solutions that solve complex real-world problems. Beyond his professional work, he enjoys mentoring students and young professionals, helping them strengthen technical skills, build confidence, and navigate their career journeys with purpose. Through AIxBio Africa, Gowthaam looks forward to sharing his experiences, supporting fellows in achieving their goals, and contributing to a community that empowers the next generation of innovators and leaders.

Jeanne Vincendeau portrait
Governance Mentor

Jeanne Vincendeau

Jeanne is an independent researcher working at the intersection of international relations, political violence, and AI governance. Her work explores power concentration, AI geopolitics, and the use of AI in diplomatic contexts, always with a focus on ensuring AI development remains inclusive and human-centered. She is the co-founder of Horizon AGI, a French nonprofit supporting AI safety by raising awareness and empowering interdisciplinary talents. Through the fellowship, Jeanne is committed to helping fellows strengthen their political impact while building confidence in navigating the technical-governance gaps of the AI safety ecosystem.

Mentor Network

Interested in mentoring a future cohort?

We welcome researchers and practitioners across biosecurity, artificial intelligence, public health, veterinary science, technology governance, and related fields who are interested in supporting future AIxBio Africa fellows.

Express Interest in Mentoring →