Emmaneul Owusu | Genetic Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Emmaneul Owusu | Genetic Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Research Scientist, CISR-SARI, Ghana

Emmanuel Yaw Owusu is a renowned plant breeder and research scientist at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI), Tamale, Ghana. With over a decade of experience in agricultural research, his expertise lies in cowpea improvement and climate-smart agriculture. He holds a Ph.D. in Plant Breeding from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana. Owusu’s work focuses on developing high-yielding, Striga and Aphid-resistant cowpea varieties, addressing key challenges in African agriculture. His research contributes to improving food security and livelihoods for smallholder farmers in Ghana and beyond. Owusu has published several influential papers in reputable journals and is actively engaged in advancing plant breeding through molecular techniques.

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Education

Emmanuel Yaw Owusu earned his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Plant Breeding in 2023 from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana. His thesis explored the introgression of extra-early maturing genes into Striga and Aphid-resistant cowpea varieties using marker-assisted backcrossing. Prior to this, he obtained his Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Plant Breeding from KNUST in 2015, where his research focused on the genetic study of early maturity in cowpea. He also holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Agricultural Technology from the University for Development Studies, Ghana, and a Teacher Certificate “A” from Wesley College of Education/University of Cape Coast. His education has been pivotal in shaping his expertise in plant genetics, breeding, and agricultural research.

Experience

Emmanuel Yaw Owusu has significant experience in agricultural research and development. Since November 2015, he has served as a Principal Technologist/Research Scientist in the Cowpea Improvement Programme at CSIR-SARI, Tamale. Prior to this, he worked as a Principal Technical Officer from 2011 to 2015 and as a voluntary service personnel in 2010. His career began with a National Service role at CSIR-SARI in 2009. Owusu’s role focuses on developing climate-resilient cowpea varieties and conducting research on biotic and abiotic stress resistance. His work has directly impacted smallholder farming communities by improving crop yields and resilience. Additionally, he has contributed to agricultural education, previously teaching at Bawku Methodist Junior Secondary School.

Research Focus

Emmanuel Yaw Owusu’s research is centered around improving cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) varieties for better yield, resistance to pests, and climate resilience. He focuses on developing climate-smart technologies and using marker-assisted breeding to introgress extra-early maturing traits into high-yielding varieties. His work addresses critical challenges in agriculture, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, such as Striga and Aphid resistance and improving crop productivity in challenging environmental conditions. Owusu’s research is vital for enhancing food security and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Ghana and neighboring regions. His research also covers seed production, scaling up improved varieties, and the agronomic evaluation of breeding lines, ensuring sustainable agricultural practices in the face of climate change.

Publication Top Notes

  • “Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata): Genetics, genomics and breeding” 🌱
  • “Inheritance of Early Maturity in Some Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) Genotypes under Rain Fed Conditions in Northern Ghana” 🌾
  • “Genetic variability, heritability and correlation analysis among maturity and yield traits in Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp) in Northern Ghana” 🌍
  • “Diallel Analysis and Heritability of Grain Yield, Yield Components, and Maturity Traits in Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.” 🌿
  • “Gene action and combining ability studies for grain yield and its related traits in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)” 🧬
  • “Genotype × environment interactions of yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) inbred lines in the Guinea and Sudan Savanna ecologies of Ghana” 🌾
  • “Genetic control of earliness in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp)” 🌱
  • “Gender trait preferences among smallholder cowpea farmers in northern Ghana: lessons from a case study” 👩‍🌾
  • “Identification of sources of resistance in cowpea lines to Macrophomina root rot disease in Northern Ghana” 🦠
  • “Pyramiding aphid resistance genes into the elite cowpea variety, Zaayura, using marker-assisted backcrossing.” 🌾
  • “Generation mean analysis of the key earliness related traits in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp” 🌱
  • “Grain yield and stability of selected early and medium duration cowpea in Ghana” 🌍
  • “Parental evaluation, polymorphic loci marker survey and allelism study of earliness in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp” 🧬
  • “Cowpea: Field Establishment” 🌱
  • “Eliciting Near-future market segments for cowpea in west Africa” 🌾

Imen Ghozzi | Biology and Life Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Mrs Imen Ghozzi | Biology and Life Sciences | Best Researcher Award

PhD Student, University of Picardie Jules Verne, France

Imen Ghozzi is a PhD student in Analytical Biology-Chemistry and Metabolomics at the University of Picardie Jules Verne, France. Passionate about the potential of bioactive compounds derived from plants, she has gained significant expertise in the extraction, purification, and identification of natural compounds using advanced analytical techniques like NMR and LC-MS. Her research focuses on understanding the chemical structures of plant-based compounds and their biological activities, specifically exploring antioxidant and antibacterial properties. With strong bilingual skills in Arabic, French, and English, Ghozzi has also demonstrated her ability to communicate scientific knowledge through teaching and mentoring. Her work aims to contribute to sustainable natural therapeutic solutions for health and food industries, and her career is driven by a commitment to scientific innovation and research excellence.

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Education 

Imen Ghozzi holds a PhD in Analytical Biology-Chemistry and Metabolomics from the University of Picardie Jules Verne, France (2021-2024). She completed her Master’s in Plant Cell and Molecular Biology Research at the University of Carthage, Tunisia (2016-2018), where she deepened her understanding of plant-based research and molecular techniques. Her Bachelor’s degree in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, and Biotechnology was also obtained from the University of Carthage (2013-2016). During her academic career, Ghozzi has specialized in bioactive compounds from plants and their applications, particularly in the areas of antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Her education has been complemented by hands-on training in laboratory research, advanced analytical instrumentation, and biological testing, preparing her for her current research work in metabolomics and bioanalytical chemistry.

Experience

Imen Ghozzi has extensive professional experience in analytical biology and chemistry. As an Engineering Assistant at the University of Picardie Jules Verne (2021-2024), she worked on identifying, quantifying, and purifying natural compounds using preparative HPLC, LC-MS, and NMR spectroscopy. She also contributed to teaching Food Sciences and Biotechnology, Biological Engineering courses from 2023 to 2024, where she guided students in laboratory techniques and spectrophotometric assays. Ghozzi’s internships at Pascal Institute, Clermont Auvergne University, and the University of Orléans equipped her with valuable skills in antibacterial testing and antioxidant assays. Additionally, she has experience in data collection and fieldwork through her role at the Arab Institute of Business Leaders (2019-2020). Her multidisciplinary expertise in both research and education positions her as a versatile contributor to academic and scientific communities.

Research Focus

Imen Ghozzi’s research focuses on the exploration of bioactive compounds extracted from plants, particularly flavone C-glycosides found in linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.). Her doctoral research investigates the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of these compounds, aiming to establish links between their chemical structure and biological efficacy. By utilizing advanced techniques such as LC-MS, NMR, and HPLC, Ghozzi works on optimizing protocols for the extraction, purification, and identification of these compounds, which could lead to the development of sustainable natural therapeutic solutions. Her work has applications in both the health and food industries, aiming to identify natural antioxidants and antibacterial agents with commercial potential. With a focus on metabolomics, her research could contribute to new approaches in phytochemical studies and biopharmaceuticals, pushing forward the understanding of the mechanisms of action of plant-derived compounds.

Publication Top Notes

  • Relationship Between the Structure of the Flavone C-Glycosides of Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) and Their Antioxidant Activity 🧑‍🔬🌿 Molecules, 2024