Betty Bugusu Kanani

Research Operations Administrator

Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

Biography

Betty Bugusu Kanani, PhD is a research and program management professional with over two decades of experience advancing global research, international development, and academic initiatives. She currently supports the Purdue University Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences department, where she helps streamline research operations, facilitate collaborations, and enhance communication of research impact.

Dr. Kanani has extensive experience managing complex, multi-million-dollar research portfolios and translating research into policy and practice. Most recently, she served as an International Research Advisor supporting U.S. government-funded programs focused on sustainable agriculture, soil health, and strengthening research capacity globally. In this role, she coordinated international partnerships, supported program implementation, and contributed to technical training initiatives.

Previously, Dr. Kanani served as Technical Director for a $70 million global research program at Purdue. She managed a diverse portfolio of projects across more than 20 countries, led proposal development and awards management processes, and helped reduce procurement timelines while ensuring compliance with donor requirements. She also directed the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Processing and Postharvest Handling, overseeing international research collaborations and advancing food security initiatives.

Earlier in her career, Dr. Kanani was a Research Scientist at the Institute of Food Technologists, where she led federally funded projects, authored widely cited publications, and contributed to policy discussions on food systems and emerging technologies.

Dr. Kanani holds a PhD and MS in Food Science from Purdue University and a BS from Egerton University.

Education

PhD, 2004, Purdue University
MS, 2000 Purdue University

Professional Affiliations

Institute of Food Technologists