Strategic Leader in Dryland Crop Genomics
Dr Damaris Odeny is a plant molecular breeder with global research experience across Africa, Asia, Europe and the USA. She currently leads the development of genomic resources for all ICRISAT mandate crops (sorghum, pearl and finger millet, groundnut, chickpea and pigeonpea), following her work establishing molecular breeding processes for indigenous vegetables at the ARC in South Africa.
Holding a PhD in Plant Genetics from the University of Bonn (2006) and postdoctoral training from the Max Planck Institute (2009), she has led genomics projects in cereals and legumes, including orphan crops. Passionate about mentorship, she has successfully guided over fifty young scientists throughout her career.
Dr Odeny is the editor of the African Journal of Crop Improvement (https://ajci.jams.pub/page/4).