Dr Cheikh Modibo Diarra Astrophysicist and Chairman of Microsoft Africa

Born in 1952, Dr Cheikh Modibo Diarra is a Malian astrophysicist, a specialist in space exploration and a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador.

Cheikh Modibo Diarra was recruited by NASA and, as their first African researcher, he has participated in programmes such as Magellan (Venus), Ulysses (Sun’s pole), Galileo (Jupiter), Mars Observer and Mars Pathfinder. He later became the director of NASA’s ‘Mars Exploration Program Education and Public Outreach’.

In 1999, Diarra created the Pathfinder Foundation for Education and Development, an organisation that supports female science students. In 2002, he was appointed CEO of the African Virtual University (AVU), which offers internationally recognised science and business degrees at a much lower cost.

CNN interviews Dr Cheikh Modibo Diarra

Dr Diarra currently advises Microsoft on new technologies specific to Africa to help accelerate the growth and industrialization of the continent. His key objective is to leave a legacy whereby all the people of the continent will be able to access and utilize technology in their everyday lives.