Nyasha Chiuraise | Crop protection | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Nyasha Chiuraise | Crop protection | Best Researcher Award

Doctoreta at Seed Co Ltd Zimbabwe

Summary:

Dr. Nyasha Chiuraise, a 39-year-old plant pathologist from Harare, Zimbabwe, has over nine years of experience in crop protection within the private sector. He currently works with SeedCo Group, a leading seed company operating across 17 African countries. Dr. Chiuraise’s expertise includes breeding for disease resistance and integrated pest, weed, and disease management. His work is instrumental in improving crop resilience and supporting sustainable agricultural practices in Africa.

Profile:

Scopus

🎓Education:

  • Ph.D. in Plant Pathology
    University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa, 2023
  • M.Sc. in Plant Breeding, cum laude
    University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, 2015
  • B.Sc. Honours in Plant Pathology
    University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, 2012
  • B.Sc. Honours in Biological Sciences
    Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe, 2007

🏥👨‍🏫Professional Experience:

Plant Pathologist SeedCo Group, Harare, Zimbabwe June 2015 – Present Responsible for diagnosing fungal, bacterial, and viral diseases of cereals and vegetables through morphological, serological, and molecular techniques. Applies KASP SNP genotyping for plant disease resistance breeding and collaborates with global breeding teams. Develops strategies for field and controlled environment research on various crops, conducts fungicide and insecticide field trials, and provides technical expertise in plant health to seed producers and farmers. Maintains relationships with academia and the agricultural industry globally. Field Plant Pathologist Plant Health Products, Nottingham Road, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa January 2015 – June 2015 Developed, tested, and commercialized biocontrol products for field crops and pasture species. Conducted insect rearing and pathogen culturing for bioassays, tested biocontrol product compatibility with pesticides, and isolated and identified plant pathogens using various techniques.

Research Interests:

Dr. Chiuraise’s research focuses on breeding for disease resistance and integrated management of pests, weeds, and diseases in wheat and maize. He is particularly interested in the application of advanced genotyping techniques for plant disease resistance and the development of biocontrol strategies for sustainable agriculture.

Publications Top Notes 📝:

1. Occurrence and characterization of Puccinia triticina in Zimbabwe

  • Journal: Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology
  • Year: 2024 (In Press)
  • Contributors: N. Chiuraise, B. Visser, A. Maré, W. Boshoff

2. First Report of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, Causing Stripe Rust of Wheat, in Zimbabwe

  • Journal: Plant Disease
  • Year: 2020
  • Volume: 104
  • Issue: 1
  • Contributors: W.H.P. Boshoff, B. Visser, C.M. Lewis, N. Chiuraise, Z.A. Pretorius
  • Citations: 11

3. Comparative evaluation of commercial rhizobial inoculants of soybean

  • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil
  • Year: 2016
  • Volume: 33
  • Issue: 2
  • Pages: 157–160
  • Contributors: B.J. Sivparsad, N. Chiuraise, M.D. Laing
  • Citations: 3

4. Progress in stacking aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination resistance genes in maize hybrids

  • Journal: Euphytica
  • Year: 2016
  • Volume: 207
  • Issue: 1
  • Pages: 49–67
  • Contributors: N. Chiuraise, J. Derera, K.S. Yobo, A. Nunkumar, N.F.P. Qwabe
  • Citations: 7

5. Seed treatment with Trichoderma harzianum strain kd formulation reduced aflatoxin contamination in groundnuts

  • Journal: Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection
  • Year: 2015
  • Volume: 122
  • Issue: 2
  • Pages: 74–80
  • Contributors: N. Chiuraise, K.S. Yobo, M.D. Laing
  • Citations: 11

 

Dominic Tasila Konja | Agricultural Economics | Young Scientist Award

 Dr. Dominic Tasila Konja | Agricultural Economics | Young Scientist Award

With a solid academic foundation in Agricultural Economics and extensive practical experience, I am driven by principles of hard work, patience, and continuous learning. I thrive both independently and within diverse teams, adapting seamlessly to multicultural settings. My career objective is to secure a lecturing position in a reputable tertiary institution, specializing in subjects such as Entrepreneurship, Marketing, International Trade, Agribusiness, and Economics. I possess a Master’s in Agricultural Economics from the University for Development Studies and have contributed significantly as an Agricultural Extension Agent and Teaching Assistant. My research interests include agricultural productivity, econometric modeling, and consumer preference analysis, supported by proficiency in STATA, SPSS, and Microsoft Office Suite.

Profile

Scopus

Scholar

Personal Motivation 💪🌍

I believe in hard work with patience, humility, and determination. I am not afraid to make mistakes but learn from them, turning failures into successes. While I excel in team environments to achieve common goals, I am also capable of working independently with minimal supervision. Adaptability in multicultural settings and perseverance until achieving goals are integral to my work ethic.

Career Objective📚🌱💼

To secure employment as a lecturer in a reputable tertiary institution, imparting knowledge in Entrepreneurship, Marketing, International Trade, Agribusiness, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Resource Economics, Environmental Economics, and Research Methodology.

Educational Training

  • M.Phil. Agricultural Economics (2016 – 2019)
    University for Development Studies, Nyankpala Campus
  • Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness (2011 – 2015)
    University for Development Studies, Nyankpala Campus
    Second Class Upper Division
  • Certificate of Proficiency in Computer (April – October, 2007)
    JASU Ventures, Computer Training Division, Yeji

Working Experience📊📝🎓

Agricultural Extension Agent Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Kumbungu District, Northern Region October 2018 – Present. Teaching Assistant National Service, University for Development Studies, Nyankpala Campus September 2014 – August 2015. Inventory Officer (Internship) USAID, ACDI/VOCA, ADVANCE II, West Mamprusi DistrictOctober 2015 – August 2016. Teacher Springboard International School, Yeji-Brong Ahafo Region July 2011 – September 2011

Research Experience

  • Conducted several research projects focusing on agricultural economics, resource efficiency, and community development across Northern Ghana.

Workshops and Seminars Attended

  • Attended workshops and seminars enhancing research skills, including proposal writing, questionnaire design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation.

Research Interests

  • Agricultural productivity and frontier analyses
  • Econometric modeling
  • Cost-benefit analysis
  • Profitability analysis
  • Consumer preference analysis

Information, Technology, and Communication Skills💻📊🖥️

Proficient in STATA, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint), Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), and Internet applications.

Publications Top Notes 📝

  • Technical and resource-use-efficiency among smallholder rice farmers in Northern Ghana
    • Journal: Cogent Food & Agriculture
    • Cited by: 46
    • Year: 2019

 

  • Profitability and profit efficiency of certified groundnut seed and conventional groundnut production in Northern Ghana: A comparative analysis
    • Journal: Cogent Economics & Finance
    • Cited by: 25
    • Year: 2019

 

  • Technology Adoption and Output Difference Among Groundnut Farmers in Northern Ghana
    • Journal: The European Journal of Development Research
    • Cited by: 6
    • Year: 2021

 

  • Market participation of smallholder groundnut farmers in Northern Ghana: Generalised double-hurdle model approach
    • Journal: Cogent Economics & Finance
    • Cited by: 4
    • Year: 2023

 

  • The locational and gendered impacts of Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) on children education in Ghana
    • Journal: International Journal of Social Economics
    • Cited by: 2
    • Year: 2022

 

  • Collective market action, farm performance, and household welfare among maize farmers: the role of outgrower scheme in Northern Ghana
    • Journal: Applied Economics
    • Year: 2024

 

Assist Prof Dr. Jared Spackman | Nutrient Management | Best Researcher Award

Assist Prof Dr. Jared Spackman | Nutrient Management | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Assist Prof Dr. Jared Spackman is an Assistant Professor and Endowed Barley Agronomist at the University of Idaho, specializing in soil science and agronomy. Holding a Ph.D. and M.S. from the University of Minnesota, and a B.S. from Brigham Young University–Idaho, Assist Prof Dr. Jared Spackman has extensive experience in teaching, research, and extension. Key research includes nitrogen response in wheat and barley, with published works in prominent journals like Crops and Soils. Recognized with prestigious fellowships, Dr. [Your Name] is committed to advancing agricultural practices through innovative research and education.

Profile

Scholar

🎓 Education Beyond High School:

Ph.D., University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, MN, 2020, Soil ScienceM.S., University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, MN, 2018, Soil ScienceB.S., Brigham Young University–Idaho, Rexburg, ID, 2014, Agronomy

🧑‍🏫 Experience:

Assistant Professor, Endowed Barley Agronomist, University of Idaho, Department of Plant Sciences, 2020 – presentGraduate Research Assistant, Nutrient Management Research Group, University of Minnesota, Department of Soil, Water, and Climate, 2014 – 2020Teaching Assistant, SOIL 3416: Plant Nutrients in the Environment, University of Minnesota, Department of Soil, Water and Climate, 2019

Publications Top Notes 📝

Soil texture and precipitation influence optimal time of nitrogen fertilization for corn

Authors: JA Spackman, FG Fernandez, JA Coulter, DE Kaiser, G Paiao

Journal: Agronomy Journal

Details: 111(4), 2018-2030

Citations: 35

Year: 2019

Ground-based optical canopy sensing technologies for corn-nitrogen management in the Upper Midwest

Authors: GD Paiao, FG Fernández, JA Spackman, DE Kaiser, S Weisberg

Journal: Agronomy Journal

Details: 112(4), 2998-3011

Citations: 17

Year: 2020

📝 Other Publications:

Nitrogen fertilizer rate, source, and application timing effects on soil nitrogen and corn yield

Authors: JA Spackman

Journal: University of Minnesota

Citations: 8

Year: 2018

Capture efficiency of four chamber designs for measuring ammonia emissions

Authors: JR Alexander, JA Spackman, ML Wilson, FG Fernández, RT Venterea

Journal: Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment

Details: 4(3), e20199

Citations: 4

Year: 2021

Microplot design and plant and soil sample preparation for 15nitrogen analysis

Authors: JA Spackman, FG Fernandez

Journal: JoVE (Journal of Visualized Experiments)

Details: e61191

Citations: 4

Year: 2020

Fate of Pre-Plant and Split-Applied 15Nitrogen Enriched Urea in Corn

Authors: JA Spackman

Journal: University of Minnesota

Citations: 3

Year: 2020

Integrating canopy sensing and soil nitrogen for improved corn nitrogen management

Authors: GD Paiao, FG Fernández, JA Spackman, DE Kaiser, S Weisberg

Journal: Agronomy Journal

Details: 113(2), 1996-2005

Citations: 2

Year: 2021

🔬 Recent Contributions:

Models and sufficiency interpretation for estimating critical soil test values for the Fertilizer Recommendation Support Tool

Authors: NA Slaton, A Pearce, L Gatiboni, D Osmond, C Bolster, F Miquez, J Clark, …

Journal: Soil Science Society of America Journal

Year: 2024

Corn 15N uptake and partitioning in response to fertilizer application rate and timing

Authors: JA Spackman, FG Fernández, GD Paiao, RT Venterea, JA Coulter

Journal: Agronomy Journal

Year: 2024

Malt Barley Yield and Soil Test Response to Phosphorus, Potassium, and Micronutrient Fertilizers

Authors: JA Spackman, J Bevan

Event: ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting

Year: 2023

Optimizing Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates for Annual Cereal Forage Production

Authors: J Pandey, JA Spackman, J Sagers, R Findlay

Event: ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting

Year: 2023

Optimizing Nutrient Management in Irrigated Culinary Mustard for Spice Production

Authors: J Pandey, JA Spackman

Event: ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting

Year: 2023

The Journey to Defining the Critical Soil Test Value for Frst.

Authors: NA Slaton, L Gatiboni, A Pearce, DL Osmond, CH Bolster, J Clark, …

Event: ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting

Year: 2023

Precipitated Calcium Carbonate As a Lime Amendment in Southern Idaho Soils

Authors: JA Spackman, J Bevan

Event: ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting

Year: 2023

Malt Barley Response to Sulfur Fertilizer Products and Rates

Authors: JA Spackman, J Bevan, G Loomis

Event: ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting

Year: 2023

Urea ammonium nitrate as the carrier for preplant burndown herbicides

Authors: KL Mookodi, JA Spackman, AT Adjesiwor

Journal: Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment

Details: 6(3), e20404

Year: 2023

Nitrogen Fertilizer Rate and Timing Implications for Hard Red, Hard White, and Soft White Spring Wheat Production in Southern Idaho.

Authors: JA Spackman, J Bevan, OS Walsh, A Adjesiwor, O Adeyemi, J Sagers, …

Event: ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting

Year: 2022

Soil Testing Calibrations to Maximize Nutrient Uptake and Yield Potential Oral

Authors: AD Moore, MV Nathan, JA Spackman, NA Slaton

Event: ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting

Year: 2022

Use of Remote Sensing Tools for Yield and Protein Estimation in Spring Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Authors: R Lamichhane, OS Walsh, JA Spackman, E Nambi, EO Ansah, …

Event: ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting

Year: 2022

Comparison of Sulfur Fertilizer Products and Their Effects on Malt Barley Production

Authors: O Adeyemi, JA Spackman, J Bevan

Event: ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting

Year: 2022