Gladys Mwikali

Plant Breeding and Seed Research & Development professional with 10 years of experience in crop research, breeding, variety development and evaluation, and seed production. Experienced in maize, beans, tomato, amaranth and sorghum, with practical expertise spanning germplasm evaluation, controlled crossing, multi-location testing, National Performance Trials (NPT), Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability (DUS) testing, variety registration and release, breeder and foundation seed production, field trial management, data analysis and technical reporting. Contributed to the development and release of five maize and bean varieties across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda.

Assistant Breeder - East African Seed Company Limited

(2018-01)

• Coordinate and support research and development activities for maize and bean breeding programmes, from breeding material evaluation through advanced testing.
• Plan, establish, manage and evaluate field trials, including multi-location trials across different testing stages.
• Participate in controlled crossing, selection and advancement of promising breeding lines and varieties.
• Lead/support vegetable breeding activities involving crossing and evaluation of tomato and amaranth materials.
• Conduct evaluation of sorghum hybrids in multi-location trials.
• Support National Performance Trials (NPT), DUS testing, variety registration and release activities.
• Support breeder/foundation seed production, including field management, rouging, harvesting and related operations.
• Collect, manage and analyse field data using Microsoft Excel and Field Book.
• Coordinate and supervise field/research personnel and ensure trials and seed production activities are implemented according to protocols.
• Support ISO certification, documentation, internal auditing and process compliance.

Project Officer / Plant Breeding Research - Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO)

(2015 - 2017)

• Conducted field trials and evaluation activities in maize and bean research programmes.
• Planned and conducted experimental dryland bean trials at different sites in Kenya.
• Collected and managed agronomic and varietal performance data from station and on-farm trials.
• Supported field trial establishment, crop management, evaluation, selection and reporting.
• Participated in bean crossing and supervised field research activities.
• Prepared scientific reports and participated in project meetings.
• Trained farmers on agricultural technologies, good agronomic practices and bean commercialization.

Research Assistant, Grain Legumes Programme - KALRO Katumani

(2014-07 - 2015-11)

• Set up field layouts and bean trials; collected and managed research data.
• Prepared research reports and screened dry and climbing beans for diseases and pests.

Technical Assistant - Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) Project

(2013-07 - 2013-08)

• Laid out maize nurseries and trials and developed descriptors for new inbred lines and hybrids.
• Screened maize germplasm and hybrids for maize lethal necrosis disease (MLN).
• Produced breeders' seed for maize parental lines.

Project Officer/Research Assistant - ASDSP, LASP, Forum Syd–Jua Jimbo, and KARI/McGill projects

Project Officer/Research Assistant roles with ASDSP, LASP under FIDA Kenya, Forum Syd–Jua Jimbo, and KARI/McGill projects, involving field data collection, interviews, monitoring and evaluation, questionnaire quality checks and report writing.

Bachelor of Science (BSc) - Biology - Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) (2014)

Postgraduate Certificate - Plant Breeding for Technicians of East and South Africa - AGRA Plant Breeders Training Programme, NACCRI, Namulonge (2016)

KCSE - Muthale Girls Secondary School (2005 - 2008)