Pandemic Center

Joyce Fati Masvaya, widely known as Joy the Science Diplomat, is a Zimbabwean global health security professional working at the intersection of biological risk governance, emerging technologies, science and policy. She is particularly interested in strengthening biosecurity systems in Africa and translating scientific and policy frameworks into practical approaches that can be implemented at national and regional levels. Joyce is the Founder and CEO of Biodefenders Africa Network (BAN), an independent African policy institute advancing responsible governance at the nexus of biology, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies for health security, peace, and sustainable development.

Through research, policy advisory, education, and strategic partnerships, BAN seeks to strengthen Africa’s capacity to anticipate technological change, develop evidence-informed policies, and contribute meaningfully to international governance discussions. Previously, Joyce served as a Senior Biosafety Officer with the National Biotechnology Authority of Zimbabwe, contributing to biosafety oversight. She also served as the AUDA-NEPAD SANBio Youth Ambassador, where she co-led the development of Biogyna, an innovative biotechnology product that won first place at the RSA Innovation Summit in Cape Town. She subsequently represented Africa at Slush (Helsinki, Finland), one of the world’s leading startup and technology conferences.

As a SPAR Fellow, Joyce participated in preliminary research examining the global biosecurity talent pipeline and emerging challenges at the intersection of biotechnology,artificial intelligence, and biosecurity. This included assessing biosecurity education and training programmes globally and examining governance readiness for emerging technologies.

Joyce has participated in international initiatives focused on biological threat reduction, disarmament and science diplomacy, including the UNODA Youth for Biosecurity Fellowship (2024), CTBTO Women in Science Mentorship Programme, Y4D Initiative, and the Brown University Biological Threat Reduction Course. She has also engaged in the Biological Weapons Convention process and other international science-policy platforms, advocating for meaningful youth participation and stronger African leadership in global biosecurity governance.