Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lead, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

Dr Sara Serradas O'Holleran was raised in Mozambique and has a research background in Life Sciences (Microbiology in Portugal and Institut Pasteur & Neuroscience PhD at Cambridge). This led to her commitment to innovation addressing the Sustainable Development Goals in low-income countries, namely through leadership positions in social enterprises increasing education access and addressing water inequality. She was also a key actor in the establishment of Cambridge Global Challenges – the University of Cambridge's Interdisciplinary Research Centre advancing Southern-led research that addresses the SDGs.

She is particularly interested and researches alternative Intellectual Property solutions that protect the source and maximize the in-country impact of Africa-led climate innovation that is internationally disseminated and commercialized. Sara is co-designing the Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship arm of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program in partnership with African collaborators and experts.