Stephen Mukuze is a Volunteer Research Fellow at the National Biotechnology Authority (NBA) of Zimbabwe where he is researching bioplastic production methods using synthetic biology techniques.

He was introduced to synthetic biology in 2017 when he was part of a team called OURSAFRICA that was developing a breast cancer biosensor. Here he served as the lead cell-free system engineer.

The team went on to win the 4th Nairobi Innovation Week (NIW) idea stage category prize. Stephen also participated in the 2019 International Genetically Engineered Machines (iGEM) competition as part of a Kenyan based team called UEAB_Kenya.As part ofSynBio Africa, Stephen is promoting synthetic biology in Africa by participating in related entrepreneurship activities and by developing biosafety policies.