Dr. Lawrence Mapemba was specialized in applied econometrics and interested in value chain analysis, impact evaluation, biofuel or energy economics, climate smart agriculture and choice modeling/experimental economics. He lectured on agriculture economics and conducts research on value chains and climate-smart agriculture. Before joining Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Mapemba worked for the Malawi Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. He held a B.S. in Crop Science from University of Malawi, an M.Sc. in Agricultural Economics from Oklahoma State University, and a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Oklahoma State University.

The MRR Innovation Lab community regrets losing Dr. Mapemba in 2021 due to complications from COVID-19.