Catherine Mutheu

Experienced agricultural research professional with expertise in managing phenotyping nurseries and multi-crop field trials. Skilled in agronomic planning, data collection, and analysis to support evidence-based decisions. Proven ability to supervise field teams and manage resources efficiently. Collaborative team player with a track record of delivering high-quality research outcomes.

FIELD SERVICE WORKER - CIMMYT

(2025-01)

• Coordinate, execute, and manage finger millet breeding nurseries.
• Executed bi-parental crosses in pearl millet and finger millet following established breeding protocols and scientific guidance, ensuring accurate pollination, proper labeling, and maintenance of genetic purity. Collaborated closely with the applied genetics team to implement quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) procedures for breeding populations, supporting reliable data collection and successful advancement of breeding materials.
• Implemented and coordinated the Forward Accelerated Selfing Technique (FAST) on F2 and F3 populations to accelerate generation advancement, maintain target population sizes, and ensure accurate tracking of breeding materials, resulting in the successful development of uniform new inbred lines within the required breeding timelines.
• Collaborated closely with the agronomist and station operations team to coordinate field maintenance activities, including land preparation, fertilizer application, irrigation scheduling, and integrated weed and pest management, resulting in timely nursery establishment, improved crop vigor, and enhanced field productivity and trial performance.
• Supervised and coordinated seasonal field staff in critical breeding and nursery operations, including planting, pollination, rogueing, bagging, and harvesting activities. Trained workers on standard operating procedures, cross-pollination techniques, and contamination prevention measures to ensure high-quality seed production and accurate breeding outcomes.
• Proficient in using the Enterprise Breeding System (EBS) for nursery creation, field management, and accurate data capture, including timely entry, curation, and maintenance of nursery layouts, field books, phenotypic records, and QR code tagging for nursery rows and plots, contributing to efficient breeding operations, reliable data management, and informed research decision-making.
• Manage crossing work, pollination, bagging to generate new populations.
• Supervised controlled pollination operations in pearl millet and finger millet breeding programs, including inflorescence bagging, gametocide application, pollen collection from designated male parents, and precise hand pollination in compliance with established breeding protocols to ensure genetic purity and successful hybridization. Achieved high pollination accuracy and improved seed set efficiency through strict adherence to QA/QC standards, timely execution of crossing activities, and effec
• Ensured timely and efficient execution of crossing activities by maintaining and exceeding established F1 success rates through precise hand pollination, proper synchronization of male and female parents, and strict adherence to breeding protocols, resulting in increased hybrid seed set, improved breeding efficiency, and timely delivery of high-quality breeding populations.
• Monitored crop growth and breeding population performance through regular field inspections, promptly identifying and addressing issues such as pest infestations, nutrient deficiencies, disease outbreaks, and off type contamination to maintain the integrity and productivity of breeding trials, resulting in improved crop health, enhanced data reliability, and successful advancement of high-quality breeding populations.
• Coordinated harvesting and post-harvest operations including drying, threshing, seed cleaning, and mechanical grading to produce high-quality seed lots for breeding nurseries and field trials, resulting in improved seed purity, enhanced germination rates, reduced post-harvest losses, and timely availability of quality seed for planting and research activities.
• Collaborated with scientists and station operations teams to identify and implement continuous improvements in crossing, pollination, and seed-processing workflows through SOP refinement, workflow optimization, and effective use of digital tools, resulting in increased operational efficiency, improved seed quality and traceability, enhanced compliance with breeding protocols, and strengthened worker safety during field and post-harvest activities.
• Implement and manage finger millet regional multi-location trials.
• Coordinated and implemented annual regional trialing strategies in collaboration with scientists and partner sites, managing trial lists, site allocation, planting schedules, and seed requirement planning to ensure timely and efficient execution of multi-location breeding trials, resulting in successful trial establishment, enhanced data quality, and strengthened collaboration across regional testing locations.
• Prepared, packed, and documented trial seed kits, including checks and standard entries, while maintaining accurate seed inventory records and coordinating timely shipment to national partners to ensure successful trial establishment according to experimental designs. Achieved on-time delivery of trial materials across collaborating sites, improved seed traceability and inventory accuracy, and supported consistent trial establishment and data reliability through proper documentation and adherenc
• Maintained regular coordination with NARS partners and trial site teams to support timely land preparation, planting, and effective agronomic management, including fertilizer application, irrigation scheduling, weed control, and pest and disease management, while ensuring compliance with trial protocols and HSE standards across all trial locations. Strengthened collaboration and communication among partners, resulting in timely trial establishment, improved field management practices, enhanced p
• Coordinated accurate and timely collection of agronomic, phenotypic, and environmental data across multiple trial sites using digital data capture tools and standardized trait scoring protocols, resulting in improved data accuracy, enhanced consistency in field evaluations, and timely reporting to support breeding decisions and research outcomes.
• Managed multi-location trials in the Enterprise Breeding System (EBS) by loading entry lists, generating field books, coordinating accurate data capture, and maintaining clean, standardized trial datasets and metadata in collaboration with data management teams, resulting in improved data integrity, streamlined reporting, and timely availability of high-quality breeding data for decision-making.
• Analyzed trial data and partner feedback to identify operational bottlenecks and recommend improvements in trial design, implementation, data collection processes, and partner coordination, contributing to refined regional testing procedures and SOPs that enhanced trial efficiency, consistency, and overall program performance.
• Provided technical backstopping to regional partners through remote support and periodic field visits, troubleshooting implementation challenges, reinforcing compliance with trial protocols, and supporting continuous improvement of the regional testing network, resulting in stronger partner capacity, improved protocol adherence, and more reliable outcomes.
• Resource management, reporting and communication.
• Upheld CIMMYT core values of excellence, integrity, and teamwork while ensuring strict compliance with health, safety, and environmental (HSE) standards, resulting in a safe, collaborative, and high-performing work environment with improved operational efficiency and reduced workplace risks.
• Prepared comprehensive field management reports, trial logs, and seed inventory summaries while providing data-driven recommendations that improved nursery efficiency, trial implementation accuracy, and timely decision-making across research activities.
• Delivered hands-on field training and on-the-job coaching to seasonal staff, students, and visiting researchers, strengthening technical capacity, improving adherence to trial protocols, and enhancing overall team productivity and field performance.
• Management of Phenotyping Nurseries and Trials.
• Supported agronomic management and operational execution of phenotyping nurseries and field trials for crops such as groundnut, millet, and sorghum, covering land preparation, experimental design, planting, fertilization (DAP & CAN), pest control, and overall crop management, ensuring optimal performance of the trials.
• Ensured optimal field hygiene, accurate plot layout, and timely pollination activities, directly contributing to improved trial reliability and data quality.
• Played a key role in the preparation and timely dispatch of high-quality trial samples, including seed selection, sorting, labeling, and packaging, supporting cross-country research efforts and trial consistency.
• Data Collection and Organization.
• Collected and organized critical field data on germination, plant stand counts, growth stages, and harvest parameters, ensuring high-quality datasets for analysis and decision-making.
• Supported the Dryland Crops Program (DCP) by gathering detailed phenotypic data on groundnut varieties, growth habits, and seed quality, contributing to the selection of superior genotypes.