Meet the 2021 MANRS Fellows

Last month, we announced the names of the 13 emerging leaders committed to improving Internet routing security that make up the 2021 cohort of MANRS Fellows in the areas of training, research, and policy. Now, let’s get to know them a little better.

The Fellows faced keen competition but shone through with their expertise, dedication, and perspectives. As a reminder, the Fellows are:

Training Fellows:

• Musa Stephen Honlue, AFRINIC LTD
• Ben Kyemba Kitimbo, Research and Education Network for Uganda (RENU)
• Naveen Karaparambil Lakshman, Graphite Networks
• Daniel Mondragon, Costa Rica Internet Exchange (CRIX)
• Kunal Krishnil Raj, Telecom Fiji Pte Ltd
• Emmanuel Serrano Serrano, Universidad Autonoma de Yucatán

Research Fellows:

• Romain Fontugne, Internet Initiative Japan (IIJ)
• Chris Kane, Arista
• Dibya Khatiwada, Packet Clearing House
• Cyrus Mbitau Njoka, Kemnet Technologies Limited

Policy Fellows:

• Russell James Bean, Liberty Latin America (Cable & Wireless Panama)
• Christopher Lee Bovee de Soto, SUNY Polytechnic Institute
• Rebecca Emmanuel Ryakitimbo, Kuza STEAM Generation

Now, read their full profiles here.

In the coming months, they will be working closely with MANRS Ambassadors, well-respected routing security professionals participating in the associated Ambassador Program, towards a secure Internet routing system.

Together, the two groups will train diverse communities on good routing practices, analyze routing incidents, research ways to secure routing, and survey the global policy landscape.

Last year’s success of the first Ambassador and Fellowship Program convinced us to hold the program again. Last year, four Ambassadors and 13 Fellows organized 58 workshops reaching over 1,400 network operators in 17 different countries across all continents.

The Fellows will receive a monthly stipend for up to eight months. The Internet Society supports this program as part of its work to reduce common routing threats and establish norms for network operations. In addition, we’re pleased to welcome APRICOT and APNIC as program sponsors this year.

We wanted to thank everyone who took time and effort to apply to the programs this year. We look forward to more exciting initiatives from the Fellows this year to further strengthen routing security and grow the MANRS community.

Read about the 2021 Fellows and stay tuned for the latest on their work.