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DR PASCAL OKWIRI OJWANG

OffLine
Staff Information
PERSONAL DETAILS
Designation
SENIOR LECTURER
Corporate Email
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Personal Email
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Job Category
Teaching
Phone Number
+254721935898
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Agriculture
Directorate / Dept
DEPT OF CROPS, HORT AND SOILS
Section
Njoro
Address
P.O Box 536, 20115-Egerton
SUMMARY

A proficient lecturer and an agricultural scientist, plant breeder/geneticist/crop improvement professional with a demonstrated history of working in the National Agricultural Research System (NARS) for an African University for over 16 years. Currently a lecturer at the department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils (CHS) in the faculty of Agriculture (FoA) Egerton University with 10 years of teaching experience. Involved in teaching and research in the field of plant breeding. Supervised to completion a number of post-graduate students. Accomplished in research programme management having served as the grain legumes research team leader National Dry-Land Research KARI-Katumani. Regional and international collaboration having previously worked closely with a number of institutions namely; International Centre for Tropical Agriculture regional programme - Eastern and Central Africa bean Research Network (CIAT - ECABREN), International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and Biosciences eastern and central Africa (BecA) ILRI-hub. Value Chain Management (mainly beans and mungbean), Food Security and Crop Improvement (tropical legume/cereal crops), Climate Smart Agriculture Technologies on drought, diseases and pests. Grants soliciting with partners. Strong leadership and support particularly in project implementation, coordination and monitoring, communication, proposal development, dissemination of innovative technologies with key value chain actors, demonstrations in the field for new technologies. Community and social undertaking (government institutions, local communities and special interest groups). Holds a doctorate (PhD) degree in plant breeding from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

ORCID
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8176-5763
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

2006-2011: PhD (Plant Breeding) - University of KwaZulu-Natal, African Centre for Crop Improvement, South Africa

1999-2004: Master of Science in Plant Breeding - Egerton University, Kenya

1993 - 1998: Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education and Extension (honours) - Egerton University, Kenya

1988-1991: Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) - Mwer High School, Nyanza region, Kenya

1980- 1987: Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) - Nakuru Primary School, Rift Valley region, Kenya

FIELDS OF SPECIALIZATION

Plant Breeding, Molecular breeding, biometical and population gentics and biostatistics

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
  • 22-24 October 2018: Demand-led Variety Design Workshop for the African Centre for Crop Improvement (ACCI) Alumni, Held at BecA-ILRI Hub, Nairobi, Kenya.
  • 9-15 September, 2018: Centre for Tropical Livestock genetics and Health (CTLGH) Masterclass in animal breeding, genome technologies, mathematical modeling and data in agriculture.
  • 6-10 March 2017: BecA, NEPAD, ILRI, University of Liverpool and BBSRC, Data management at the BecA-ILRI Hub, Nairobi, Topics Introduction to GBS, DArTseq, GBS experimental design and Power Analysis, population statistics, QTL analysis and Linkage Disequilibrium, GWAS and Bi-parental Mapping Analysis, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
  • 2015-2016 (Class II)   University of California Davis Plant Breeding Academy, a programme of the orphaned crops consortium (AOCC).
  • July 2012, November 2013 and November 2014      The Integrated breeding platform of the CGIAR Generation Challenge Programme, on data management, Molecular Breeding and Statistics, Zaragoza, Spain
  • 17-21 February 2014: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Programme for Early Agricultural Research Leaders (PEARL) and Scriptoria Communications course in proposal writing.
  • 11-15 Feb 2013: Futuristic Ltd, An E-learning capacity building course on developing and publishing of digital teaching and learning materials for Egerton University academic staff, held at the Crops Management Research Training (CMRT), Egerton University
  • 19 Mar 2013: Corruption Prevention Sensitization Workshop, held at Agricultural Resource Centre (ARC), Egerton University
  • 30-31 Oct 2012: Egerton University, information literacy workshop on E-resources and information searching skills, research ethics and referencing and research data management, held at Utafiti Hall, Egerton University
  • 24-28 Feb 2012: African Institute for Capacity Development (AICAD), World Bank Institute (WBI) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) regional training of trainers: sustainable land and water management: towards a climate smart agriculture, Nairobi
  • 22-23 Feb 2012: Egerton University, Crop  Management Research Training (CMRT), Research Proposal Writing Workshop for Egerton University Academic Staff
  • 26 Oct 1- 20 Nov 1998: Microcomputer Application packages, Department of computer Science, Egerton University
WORK EXPERIENCE

EMPLOYER: EGERTON UNIVERSITY

2011 to date   Lecturer, Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils (CHS)

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Undergraduate teaching (Plant breeding, Genetics, Agricultural statistics)
  • Postgraduate teaching (Advanced plant breeding, cytogenetics, molecular breeding, quantitative and population genetics)
  • Graduate student supervision
  • Internal examiner of theses in the Department
  • Mentoring and academic advising of selected undergraduate students
  • Internal examiner of student MSc and PhD theses
  • Research – postgraduate supervision and own research
  • Administration: Coordinator of Post Graduate Plant Breeding programme in the Department
  • Development/Review of Academic Programmes in the department of CHS
  • External examiner: MSc and PhD theses, University of Nairobi – Plant Science and Crop Protection Department

EMPLOYER: KENYA AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE, National Dry Land Research Centre - Katumani

[Currently; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO), Agricultural Mechanisation Research Institute (AMRI)]

2003 - 2011 Research Officer II

RESPONSIBILIES

  • Development of improved common bean cultivars for semi-arid regions, through Climate-Smart Agriculture technologies for resilience against drought, diseases and pests.
  • Managing the evaluation of regional field trials of advanced breeding lines for high micronutrients (iron and zinc), low phosphorus/drought tolerant common bean to produce high quality data and results for selection of elite lines.
  • Management of common bean for resistance to bean fly and drought stress, conducting crosses, seed multiplication) and evaluation of in multi-environments.
  • Supervising research activities on grain legumes breeding programmes and genetic improvement.
  • Facilitating the capacity development of technical staff in breeding, especially on basic principles in conventional breeding on grain legumes.
  • Ensuring variety maintenance, breeder seed production and documentation of all breeding programme’s activities and management of information and a database system for the grain legumes research programme.
  • Ensuring publication of research/development findings in high profile journals for information sharing and visibility.
  • Facilitating scientific mentorship for upcoming researchers within the grain legumes breeding programmes
  • Participating in development and review of annual work plans for the grain legumes project, monitoring their execution against activities, deliverables, timelines, and allied costs and periodically updating the work plan.
  • Monitor and appraise technical contributions by project team members to facilitate performance and delivery.
KEY PROJECTS

Graduate Study/Research Awards

Jan 2006–Apr 2011    PhD Research Scholar in Plant Breeding; African Centre for Crop Improvement (ACCI), University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

  • Funding by the Rockefeller Foundation and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation under the Alliance for a green revolution in Africa (AGRA)
  • Studied genetics of bean fly resistance in common bean using field and artificial screening net experiments

Sep 1999 – Apr 2004: MSc Research Scholar in Plant Breeding; Egerton University, Kenya

  • Funding by International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI), Nairobi
  • Studied characterization and combining ability for agronomic traits in Soybean.

Research grants

  1. Nov. 2019-Oct. 2021. KCSAP Project “Validation and Promotion of Sorghum for Industrial and Domestic Uses for Economic Empowerment of smallholder farmers”. KCSAP Secretariat, KALRO Hqs (KCSAP CGS/CRGs-AD 2019/CSC/01-7/Sorghum). Partners: Egerton University, University of Nairobi and KALRO. Funding: KES 22 Million.
  2. 2019-2021     Sorghum Value Chain, consultancy, Laikipia County, Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Project (KCSAP). Funding by the World Bank: KES 2 Million.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
  • Legume/cereal crop improvement using conventional and molecular breeding.
  • Association studies to identify genome-wide markers linked to physiological traits and stress tolerance genes.
  • Genomic selection for climate resilient traits (drought diseases and pests).
  • Genetic diversity of legume crops.
  • Demand-led breeding (value chain actors participating in research) of legume/cereal crops.
  • Bio-safety issues related to introduction of transgenic crops.
  • Other research related to graduate students work in plant breeding and genetics.
LIST OF PUBLICATIONS
  1. Tollo JA, Ojwang PPO, Karimi R, Mafurah JJ, Nzioki HS. (2020). Genotype-by-environment interaction and stability of resistance in mungbean landraces against common bacterial blight across semi-arid environments. Euphytica 216, 175 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-020-02705-8
  2. Aleri I, Owuoche JO, and Ojwang PPO. (2019). Evaluation of triticale ( Triticosecale Wittmack) genotypes for adult plant resistance to stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici). African Journal of Plant Science. 13: 70-80.
  3. Mulanya MM, Kimani PM, Narla RD, Ojwang PO. (2019). Genetic inheritance of photoperiod sensitivity in Runner bean (Phaseolus coccineous ). Australian Journal of Crop Science. 13: 1511-1519.
  4. Ochieng JA, Oyoo ME, Gesimba RM, Korir PC, Ojwang PPO and Owuoche JO. (2018) Genetic diversity of blackberry (Rubus subgenus Rubus Watson) in selected counties in Kenya using simple sequence repeats (SSRs) markers. African Journal of Biotechnology, 17: 1247-1264.
  5. Nyamu AG, Owuoche JO, Ojwang PPO and Wanyera R. (2017). Evaluation of Kenyan wheat (Triticum aestimum) genotypes for leaf rust (Puccinia triticina Eriks.) at adult plant stage. International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research 11: 66-78.
  6. Kok MAG., Ouma JPA and Ojwang (2017). Effect of sowing date on grain quality of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) in the Nile Corridor agroecological zone of South Sudan. African Journal of Food, Agricultural, Nutrition and Development 17: 12657-12677. DOI: 10.18697/ajfand.80.16520.
  7. Kok M, Ouma JP and Ojwang (2016) Sowing date influence on performance and yield of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) in the Nile Corridor Zone of South Sudan. Journal of Agriculture. 3(10)
  8. Tenge BN, Ojwang PPO, Otaye D and Oyoo ME. (2016). Wheat stem rust disease incidence and severity associated with farming practices in the Central Rift Valley of Kenya. African journal of agricultural research 11:2640-2649. DOI: 10.5897/AJAR2016.11154.
  9. Tenge BN, Ojwang PPO, Otaye D and Njau P. (2016). Assessment of advanced Kenyan selected wheat lines for resistance to the prevailing stem rust races (Puccinia graminis sp. tritici) in Kenya. Journal of Plant Breeding and Crop Science 8. 94-108. DOI: 10.5897/JPBCS2015.0553.
  10. Gitonga HW, Ojwang PPO, Macharia GK and Njau PN. (2016). Evaluation of advanced bread wheat genotypes for resistance to stem rust and yield stability. African Journal of Plant Science 10: 111-120. DOI: 10.5897/AJPS2016.1398
  11. Cheruiyot D, Ojwang PPO, Njau PN, Arama PF, Bhavani S. (2015). Evaluation of advanced wheat (Triticum aestivum) lines for stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici) resistance and yield. International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research 6: 57-70.
  12. Oyoo ME, Najya M, SM Githiri, Ojwang PO, Muniu FK, Maisha E and Owuoche JO. (2015). In-situ morphological characterization of coconut in the coastal lowlands of Kenya. African Journal of Plant Science 9: 65-74. ISSN 1996-0824.
  13. Cheruiyot D, Ojwang PPO, Njau PN, Arama PF, Macharia GK. (2014). Genetic analysis of adult plant resistance to stem rust (Puccinia graminis sp. tritici) and yield in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Acta Advances in Agricultural Sciences 2: 49-63.
  14. Ojwang, PPO, Melis R, Githiri SM. and Songa JM. (2011). Breeding options for improving common bean for resistance against bean fly (Ophiomyia spp.): A review of research in eastern and southern Africa. Euphytica 179: 363-371.
  15. Ojwang, PPO, Melis R, Githiri SM and Songa, JM. (2011). Genetic analysis for resistance to bean fly (Ophiomyia phaseoli) and seed yield among common bean genotypes in a semi-arid environment. Field Crops Research 120: 223-229. ISSN:0378-4290.
  16. Ojwang, PPO, Melis R, Songa JM and Githiri SM. (2010). Genotypic response of common bean to natural field populations of beanfly (Ophiomyia phaseoli) under diverse conditions. Field Crops Research 117: 139-145. ISSN: 0378-4290.
  17. Ojwang, PPO, Melis R, Songa JM, Githiri SM and Bett C. (2009). Participatory plant breeding approach for host plant resistance to bean fly in common bean under semi-arid Kenya conditions. Euphytica 170: 383-393. ISSN: 0014-2336; E-ISSN: 1573-5060.
CONFERENCES & INVITED PRESENTATIONS

Peer reviewed workshop proceedings

  1. Aleri I, Owuoche J and Ojwang PO. (2019). Adult plant resistance of CIMMYT triticale ( Triticosecale Wittmack) lines to rust diseases in Njoro, Kenya. The 5th international research conference, held on 24th to 26th October, 2018, Chuka University.
  2. Nyamu A, Owuoche J, Ojwang PPO and Wanyera R. (2018). Evaluation of Kenyan wheat (Triticum aestivum) genotypes against leaf rust (Puccinia triticina Eriks.) at seedling and adult plant stage. The 12th Egerton International conference held on 27th - 29th March 2018, Agricultural Resource Centre ARC. Egerton University.
  3. Ochieng, J, Oyoo M, Gesimba R, Korir P, Ojwang P,Owuoche J and Miheso M. (2018). In-situ morphological characterization of blackberry (Rubus subgenus) in Rift Valley region, Kenya. The 12th Egerton International conference held on 27th to 29th March 2018, Agricultural Resource Centre ARC. Egerton University.
  4. Gitonga HW, Ojwang PPO, Macharia GK. (2016). Generation mean analysis for stem rust (Puccuninia graminis sp. tritici) resistance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Kenya. The 11th JKUAT Scientific, Technological and industrialization conference and exhibitions conference 2016.
  5. Beebe S, M Blair, Alemayehu F, Asfaw A, Chirwa R, Kalolokesya L, Kimani P, Kweka S, Makunde G, Mazuma E, Ojwang P and Waweru F. (2011). Improving common bean productivity for marginal environments in sub-Saharan Africa. Generation Challenge Programme (GCP), General Research meeting, held on 21st - 25th September 2011, Hyderabad, India.
  6. Ojwang PPO. (2009). Bean breeding in Kenya. Legume breeders network meeting, held on 11th - 23rd January 2009, Kigali, Rwanda.
HONORS, PRIZE AND AWARDS

Merit award

Certificate of merit for exemplary performance in plant breeding, genetics and biostatics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Year, 2006

TEACHING AREAS

Plant breeding, genetics, biostatistics

POSTGRADUATE SUPERVISION
MASTERS LEVEL :

STUDENT SUPERVISION

MSc students graduated (completed)

  1. Aleri I. Evaluation of triticale (X. Triticosecale Wittmack) genotypes for grain yield and resistance to stem, leaf and stripe rust disease in Kenya. MSc Thesis, Egerton University. (Graduated 2019).
  2. Nyamu AG. Evaluation of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes for resistance to leaf rust (Puccinia tritici Eriks). MSc Thesis, Egerton University. (Graduated 2018)
  3. Gitonga HW. Stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici) resistance and stability analysis for grain yield in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). MSc Thesis, Egerton University. (Graduated 2017)
  4. Kok, MAG. Influence of sowing date on grain quality of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) in the Nile Corridor Agroeological Zone of South Sudan. MSc. Thesis, Egerton University. (Graduated 2016)
  5. Tenge BN. Evaluation of Advanced wheat Kenyan wheat genotypes for resistance to stem rust (Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici) races. MSc Thesis, Egerton University. (Graduated 2016)
  6. Cheruiyot D. Evaluation of advanced Kenyan wheat (Triticum aestivum l.) lines for stem rust (Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici) resistance and yield. MSc Thesis, Egerton University. (Graduated 2014)

Current students at Egerton University (supervision ongoing)

MSc students

  1. Mwangoe J. Evaluation of morpho-physiological and root traits associated with drought tolerance in finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) genotypes (Accepted at faculty level 2020)
  2. Tollo J.A. Phenotyping mungbean genotypes for common bacterial blight resistance response and yield stability under semi-arid conditions. (Thesis submitted to graduate school 2021)
  3. Wasike C. Phenotyping introduced bread wheat lines for resistance to stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici) in Kenya (Thesis writing completed 2021 and awaiting submission)
  4. Mathai FW. Inheritance of bacterial wilt resistance among wild and cultivated tomato germplasm. (Proposal accepted at faculty level 2019, research completed and thesis being written)
  5. Wachenje DW. Genetic analysis for drought tolerance and earliness in tropical maize germplasm (Zea mays L.). (Proposal accepted  at faculty level 2019 and research in progress).
PhD. LEVEL :

Current students at Egerton University (supervison ongoing)

  1. Murorunkwere F. Genetic diversity and genome-wide association studies of iron and zinc content in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) (Proposal accepted at department  level 2021)
  2. Binaissa C. Genetic analysis of drought tolerance in selected common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genotypes in central Mozambique. (Proposal Accepted at faculty level 2018, research ongoing)
  3. Niyonzima JP. Genetic study of high dry matter, iron and zinc content in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) varieties in Rwanda. (Proposal accepted at faculty level 2017, research ongoing)
OTHER SOCIETIES

1. African Plant Breeders Association

REFEREES

Dr Songa Songa

Director of Agricultural Policy and Institutional Capacity Development

United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Kenya

Crops and Dairy Market Systems - of RTI International

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Prof. Mwangi Githire

Associate professor of plant breeding and genetics

Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology (JKUAT)

P.O. Box 62000

Nairobi, 00200, Kenya

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Prof. Rob Melis

Professor of plant breeding

Director Pro-Seed Company

African Centre for Crop Improvement, Rabie Saunders, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pitermaritzburg, Room 105, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.

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