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Tag: molecular biology

Naeela Qureshi

Written by mcallejas on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Naeela Qureshi is a wheat rust pathologist and molecular geneticist at CIMMYT in Mexico, facilitating extensive research on wheat rust in Mexico and Kenya. Her role is critical in supporting the breeding and physiology teams of CIMMYT’s Global Wheat Program. She also focuses on unraveling the genetic components of rust resistance through Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) mapping. Naeela uses advanced bi-parental recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations and develops molecular markers linked to rust resistance genes and QTL to improve marker-assisted breeding strategies.

Previously, Naeela was a Research Scientist-Molecular Genetics at Agriculture Victoria Research, Australia, specializing in next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies such as targeted genotyping by sequencing (tGBS), RNA sequencing, and amplicon resequencing across diverse genetic populations and lines. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Sydney, Australia.

Lennin Musundire

Written by mcallejas on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Lennin Musundire is responsible for supporting the National Agriculture Research Systems (NARS) in Africa to develop breeding improvement plans to deliver higher genetic gains targeted at smallholder farmers. These improvement plans will focus on product profiles, breeding scheme optimization, use of genotyping, automation, mechanization, appropriate breeding software and links with seed producers. Provides support to national breeding teams in African countries, implements an all-inclusive internal breeding pipeline optimization plan supported by the Excellence in Breeding platform as well as supports national partners to integrate and build breeding networks with CGIAR institutes and regional, national partners.

 

Narain Dhar

Written by Leslie Domínguez on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Narain Dhar is a research fellow working with CIMMYT’s Global Wheat program and CGIAR Research Program on Wheat (WHEAT). His recent work is on charaterization and evaluation of a unique set of germplasm lines for abiotic stress.

Xuecai Zhang

Written by Emma Orchardson on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Xuecai Zhang is a Senior Scientist and Maize Molecular Breeder with CIMMYT’s Global Maize Program. In 2011, he joined CIMMYT as an assistant breeder at the lowland tropical maize breeding program in Mexico. In 2015, he started to lead the maize molecular breeding lab in Mexico to implement modern molecular breeding tools and technologies for accelerating the genetic gain of the Latin American maize breeding pipelines. From 2024, he coordinates the maize collaborations between CIMMYT and China.

Susanne Dreisigacker

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Susanne Dreisigacker seeks to understand the genetic basis of key traits in wheat breeding, and use this information in applying genomics-assisted breeding approaches in wheat improvement.

In close collaboration with the CIMMYT wheat breeders, she implements classical molecular breeding approaches such as marker-assisted selection and marker-assisted backcrossing. She’s also involved in developing proof of concept applications of new genomics strategies such as whole genome-association mapping and genomic selection. She gives wheat breeders access to the newest genotyping technologies and is involved in key initiatives in the area of molecular breeding like the International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium and the Genomic and Open-source Breeding Informatics Initiative.

Karim Ammar

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Karim Ammar is a principal scientist and head of durum wheat and triticale breeding at CIMMYT. He conducts a globally-focused, extensive and proactive breeding effort to produce improved germplasm of high value and relevance to collaborators worldwide.

Durum wheat profitability requires sustained gains in genetic yield potential, adaptation to a wide range of water availability and temperature conditions, durable genetic protection against major pathogens and quality attributes that allow harvests to be marketed readily.

In addition, Ammar is involved in research that widens the genetic bases of resistance to rusts and septoria diseases, develops molecular tools to select more durable resistance, enhances breeding capacity for effective drought and heat tolerance, and to diversify quality characteristics of durum wheat grain. He also focuses on improving and promoting triticale as an input saving, low production cost feed and forage option in livestock-cereals operations.