The University of Michigan African Presidential Scholars (UMAPS) program aims to support the research work of faculty based at African universities. Fellows are brought to Ann Arbor for a period lasting up to six months, during which they work with ASC staff and with U-M mentors in developing their scholarship, building connections with Michigan scholars that (we hope) will lead to long-term collaborations. The UMAPS program is largely funded by the President of the University of Michigan, Mary Sue Coleman; further support comes from the South African Initiatives Office and the Office of the Provost.

The UMAPS scholars for 2013-14 are:

Dr. Godwin Adjei, from the University of Ghana, working with Kwasi Ampene (DAAS) on the communicative media of chieftaincy in Ghana

Ms. Ofusua Adi-Ado, from the University of Ghana, working with Steven P. Schwendeman (Pharmacy) on the medical properties of cacao

Mr. Kennedy Alatinga, from the University of Development Studies in Ghana, working with Dean Yang (Public Policy) on health insurance in Ghana

Ms. Janet Boateng, from the University of Cape Coast (Ghana), working with Anne Pitcher (DAAS) on local politics and development work in Ghana

Ms. Lilian Duku, from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, working with Andrew Campbell (Pediatrics) on the study of blood phenotypes among Ashanti people in Ghana

Mr. Francis Kemausuor, from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, working with Shelie Miller and Greg Keolian (SNRE) on bioenergy in Ghana

Dr. Sekibakiba Lekgoathi, from the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa), working with Adam Ashforth (DAAS) on the history of ethnicity in South Africa

Mr. James McClain, from the University of Liberia, working with Levi Thompson (Chemical Engineering) on the chemistry of hydrogen fuel

Dr. Janet Nakigudde, from Makerere University (Uganda), working with Bruno Giordani (Psychology) on grief and trauma among children

Dr. Sisa Ngabaza, from the University of the Western Cape (South Africa), working with Sarah Fenstermaker (IRWG) on pregnancy among South African schoolchildren

Mr. Evarist Ngabirano, from Mountains of the Moon University (Uganda), working with Ray Silverman (DAAS/History of Art) on the museum cultures of Uganda; and

Mr. Wolobah Sali, from the University of Liberia, working with Larry Ruff (Earth and Environmental Sciences) on the imaging of sub-surface geological formations.