ACADEMIC STAFF PROFESSIONAL PROFILE FORM
1. Personal Data
Insert
picture
here
Name: Wilson M. Thagana
Title/Qualifications: PhD
Department/Unit/Section: Agricultural Science and Technology (AST)
Contact Address: Kenyatta University, 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
Position: Senior Lecturer
Area of Specialization: Plant Breeding & Biotechnology
Research Interests:
Application of biotechnological tools in crop improvement,
Breeding for drought and salinity tolerance
2. Conference Presentations
S/N
o
Presente
r
Title of Paper
presented
1
Thagana
,
W.M.
Efficacy
2
Thagana
,
W.M.
3
Thagana
,
W.M.
Thagana
4
City/Country
a 1st School of
Agriculture Biennial
Local
and
International
Conference sponsored
Commercial
by
Rooting powder
KU/AGRA/DAAD/Uo
N, Kenyatta University,
on Roses
Nairobi, Kenya
Effects
of 1st School of
Agriculture Biennial
Withholding
International
Irrigation Water Conference sponsored
by
after
Complete
KU/AGRA/DAAD/Uo
Heading on Seed N, Kenyatta
University(KU),
Quality Traits in
Nairobi, Kenya
Mwea
Targeted
of
Plant KARI-Thika/Kenya
Date of
Conferenc
e
1st -5th
December,
2014
Fundin
g
(US$)
-
1st -5th
December,
2014
-
1/11/13
-
13th -17th
-
Breeding
Effect of Seed
11th African crop
1
,
W.M.
5
Thagana
,
W.M.
6
Thagana
,
W.M.
7
Thagana
,
W.M.
Size on
Germination and
Early Growth of
Jojoba in Semiarid
Areas of Kenya
Effect of
Withholding
Irrigation Water
after Complete
Heading on Rice
Yield and
Components in
Mwea, Kenya
Characterization
of Arabusta
(Coffea arabica
L. x Coffea
canephora Pierre)
Coffee and it’s
Parental
Genotypes using
Molecular
Markers
Effect
of
Science Society
Conference. Imperial
Botanical Beach Hotel,
Entebbe-Uganda.
October
2013.
11th African crop
Science Society
Conference. Imperial
Botanical Beach Hotel,
Entebbe-Uganda.
13th -17th
October
2013.
-
11th African crop
Science Society
Conference. Imperial
Botanical Beach Hotel,
Entebbe-Uganda.
13th -17th
October
2013.
-
11th African crop
Science Society
Genotype, Plant
Conference. Imperial
Spacing
and Botanical Beach Hotel,
Entebbe-Uganda.
Weeding Regimes
13th -17th
October
2013.
-
28/1/13 1/02/13
-
on Weed Density
and
Yields
of
Upland Rice in
Uganda.
8
Thagana
,
W.M.
Arusha/Tanzania
Enhancing
Cassava
Productivity
Through
plant
Host
Resistance
Breeding Against
Cassava
Mosaic
2
Disease
and
Cassava
Brown
Streak
Disease
using
Genetic
Engineering
Marker
and
Assisted
Selection-a
Kenyan project
9
Thagana
W.M.
10
Thagana
,
W.M.
11
Thagana
,
W.M.
12
Thagana
,
Characterization
of Sweet Potato
[Ipomea batatas
(L)] Landraces
using
Morphological
and DNA markers
in East Kamagak
Location of
Rachuonyo
District.
Occurrence of
seed abortion and
numerical
components of
seed yield of
soyabean (Glycine
max L. Merr.) in
three contrasting
environments.
Commercializatio
n and Utilization
of Jojoba
(Simmondsia
chinensis [Link]
Schneider)as a
basis for
Industrialization
and Income
Generation in
ASALs
Selection and
characterization
Bondo University
College (BUC), Bondo,
Kenya.
4th-7th
December
2012.
-
El Minia/Egypt
25th-29th
March,
2012
925
UniBRAIN/PanAAC
Fair, Hilton Hotel,,
Nairobi
26th-27th
November,
2010
-
Nairobi/
Kenya
7th-9th
April, 2010
300
3
W.M.
13
Thagana
,
W.M.
14
Thagana
,
W.M.
15
Thagana
,
W.M.
16
Thagana
,
W.M.
17
Thagana
,
W.M.
of superior bushes
of Jojoba
(Simmondsia
chinensis [Link]
Schneider) for
ASALs in Kenya.
Chickpea - a
promising new
food legume crop
for
drought prone
cool areas of
Kenya.
Comparison of
phenotypic
characters of
mutant lines of
rapeseed
(Brassica napus L
)
with the original
parents.
In vitro embryo
culture and
immature seed
germination
techniques for
rapid
generation
advance in
soyabean [Glycine
max (L.)
Merrill].
Variability in M2
generations
and characteristics
of
selected advanced
mutant
lines of rapeseed.
Characterization
and genetic
relationships of
rapeseed
(Brassica napus
L.)
Cape
Town/
South
Africa
2009
-
Nairobi/
Kenya
2008
-
Nairobi/K
enya
2006
-
Nairobi/
Kenya
2006
-
Entebbe/
Uganda
2005
-
4
18
Thagana
,
W.M.
19
Thagana
,
W.M.
20
Thagana
,
W.M.
21
Riungu,
T.C./
Thagana
,
W.M.
22
Thagana
,
W.M.
23
Thagana
,
W.M.
accessions.
Effect of
irradiation on M1
generations of
rapeseed
(Brassica napus
L.).
Introduction and
status of
Jojoba
Simmondsia
chinensis
(Link) Schneider
production
in Kenya.
Genotypeenvironment
interactions and
stability estimates
for
sunflower
(Helianthus
annuus
L.) varieties
grown in diverse
environments in
Kenya.
Holistic approach
in the
dissemination of
technologies
in Lare division,
Nakuru
district
The status of
Kenya in the
Global production
and supply
of oilseed and
oilseed
products.
Characteristics of
Sunflower
(Helianthus
annuus L.)
varieties grown in
Entebbe/
Uganda
2005
-
Nairobi/
Kenya
2004
-
Johannesburg/ South
Africa.
2002
-
Egerton
university/
Kenya
2001
-
Nairobi/
Kenya
2000
-
Maputo/
Mozambique
1999
-
5
24
Thagana
,
W.M.
25
Thagana
,
W.M.
Kenya.
Yield
performance of
sunflower
(Helianthus
annuus
L.) genotypes on
selfing and
outcrossing.
The effect of seed
size on
germination of
sunflower
(Helianthus
annuus L.) in the
laboratory.
Nairobi/
Kenya
1998
-
Nairobi/
Kenya
1996
-
3. Research
S/ No
1
Researcher Year
2014Thagana,
15
W. M.
Title
Donor
Funding (US$)
16,666
Nutrition-sensitive Kenyatta
University
Intervention with
Vice
Chancellors’
African Leafy
Research
Vegetables to
Grant Call
Improve Nutrition 2013
Status of School
Going Children in
Kenya
2
Thagana,
W.M.
201215
EAAPP
Enhancing
Cassava
Productivity
Through Host
Plant Resistance
Breeding Against
6
264,677
Cassava Mosaic
Disease and
Cassava Brown
Streak Disease
3
Thagana,
W.M.
201112
4
Thagana,
W.M.
20082010
5
Thagana,
W.M.
200809
6
Thagana,
W.M.
Thagana,
W.M.
19932010
19831993
7
Characterization
of Sweet Potato
(Ipomea batatas
[L.] Lam)
Landraces Using
Morphological and
DNA Markers in
East Kamagak
Location of
Rachuonyo
District
Enhancing
Chickpea
Productivity and
Production in
Drought-Prone
Areas
of sub-Saharan
Africa and South
Asia
Commercialization
and
utilization
of Jojoba in
ASALS
Breeding Oilseed
Crops
Maize and
Sorghum Variety
Performance
Trials
NCST
2,169
Bill &
Melinda
Gates
106,830
KAPP
100,000
KARI
-
SRD/MoA
-
4. Funded projects
S/ No
1
Research
er
Thagana,
W. M.
Year
201415
Title
Granting Body
Nutritionsensitive
7
Kenyatta
University Vice
Chancellors’
Funding
(US$)
16,666
Intervention
with African
Research Grant
Call 2013
Leafy
Vegetables to
Improve
Nutrition Status
of School
Going Children
in Kenya
2
Thagana,
W.M.
201215
Enhancing
EAAPP
264,677
NCST
2,169
Cassava
Productivity
Through Host
Plant
Resistance
Breeding
Against
Cassava
Mosaic Disease
and Cassava
Brown Streak
Disease
3
Thagana,
W.M.
201112
Characterizatio
n of Sweet
Potato (Ipomea
batatas [L.]
Lam)
Landraces
Using
Morphological
and DNA
Markers in East
Kamagak
8
4
Thagana,
W.M.
20082010
5
Thagana,
W.M.
200809
Location of
Rachuonyo
District
Enhancing
Bill & Melinda
Chickpea
Gates
Productivity
and Production
in DroughtProne Areas
of sub-Saharan
Africa and
South Asia
Commercializat KAPP
ion and
utilization
of Jojoba in
ASALS
106,830
100,000
5. Publications
S/No.
Author
Year
Title
Journal
1
Thagana,
W.M.
2015
Studies on Seed
Size and Storage
on Germination
and Performance
of Young Jojoba
(Simmondsis
Chinensis L)
Seedlings in
Semi-arid Areas
of Kenya
Beverage Quality
and Biochemical
Attributes of
Arabusta (C.
arabica x C
canephora P.) and
their Parental
Genotypes
Genetic
Characterization
of Arabusta
Coffee Hybrids
and Their Parental
Journal of
Biology,
Agriculture
and
Healthcare
2
Thagana,
W.M.
2014
3
Thagana,
W.M.
2014
9
ISBN/ISSN
Reference
No.
5(12): 10-16
ISSN 2,2243,208
(Paper)
ISSN 2,225093X
(Online)
African
Journal of
Food Science
8(9): 456464 (2014)
15(1&2):
Plant Cell
Biotechnology 31-42
(2014)
and
Molecular
Biology
Genotypes using
Molecular
Markers
4
Thagana,
W.M.
2013
5
Momo, J.A.
and
Thagana,
W.M.
2013
6
Thagana,
W.M.
2013
7
Thagana,
W.M.
2014
8
Thagana,
W.M.
2014
9
Thagana,
W.M.
2014
10
Thagana,
W.M.
2014
11
Thagana,
W.M.
2014
12
Thagana,
2011
Seed Abortion
and Numerical
Components of
Seed Yield of
Soyabean
(Glycine max L.
Merr.) in Three
Contrasting
Agroecologies
Effect of
withholding
Irrigation Water
after complete
Heading on Rice
Yield and
Components in
Mwea-Kenya
Variability in M2
Generations and
Characteristics of
Advanced Mutant
lines of Rapeseed
(Brassica napus
L.)
KST 130: Field
Course
KST: 813:
Agricultural
Biotechnology
KST 835:
Utilization of
Plant Genetic
Resources
KST 845:
Population and
Quantitative
Genetics
KST 850: Seed
Physiology and
Biotechnology
KST 532: Plant
10
J. Agri. Sci.
4(1): 1-5
(2013)
J. Agri. Sci.
4(2): 69-75
(2013)
J. Agri. Sci.
4(2): 83-86
(2013)
Kenyatta
University
Odel Module
Kenyatta
University
Odel Module
Kenyatta
University
Odel Module
Kenyatta
University
Odel Module
Kenyatta
University
Odel Module
Kenyatta
-
W.M.
13
Thagana,
W.M.
2010
14
Thagana,
W.M.
2009
15
Thagana,
W.M.,
C.M.
Ndirangu,
E.O. Omolo
and
T.C. Riungu.
2007
16
Muriithi,
W.T.,
Indra, S.
H.,Yeung,
E.C. &
Thorpe,
T.A..
1993
17
Thagana,
W.M.
1992
Biotechnology
and Molecular
Biology
KST 513:
Agricultural
Biotechnology
Heterosis in
hybrids derived
from cultivars and
mutant
lines of rapeseed
(Brassica
napus L.).
Performance of
rapeseed
(Brassica napus
L. ) hybrids
and parental
mutant lines in
three
environments.
Plantlet
regeneration in
Chir
Pine (Pinus
roxburghii
Sarg.):
Morphogenesis
and
Histology.
Plantlet
Regeneration and
Bud
Developmental
Anatomy of Pinus
roxburghii, Sarg.
University
Odel Module
Kenyatta
University
Odel Module
PhD thesis
-
Egerton
journal
In Press
Forest
Ecology and
Management
57: 141160.
MSc Thesis
-
-
6. Consultancy and community service
S/No.
Consultant
(s)
Consulting
Person/ Body/
Organization
Year
11
Title
Payment
Consultancy (US$)
Service
1
Thagana W.
M.
Ministry of
Agriculture
2010Todate
2
Thagana W.
M.
Ministry of
Agriculture
2009Todate
3
Thagana W.
M.
Kenya Plant Health
Inspectorate Service
(KEPHIS)
2009Todate
Member of
the National
Committee
on
International
Treaty for
Plant
Genetic
Resources
for Food and
Agriculture
(ITPGRFA).
Member of
the National
Variety
Release
Committee
(NVRC).
Member of
the National
Performance
Trials
Committee
(NPTC).
7. Affiliation to Professional Bodies
S/No
1
2
Name of professional body
Member, Plant Breeders’ Association of Kenya (PBAK), 2003-Todate
Member of East African Seed committee (EASCOM)
8. National and International awards and Recognitions
S/No Name of award or
Recognition
1
Awarded US $1,704 to
attend Guelph East Africa
Workshop, Serena Hotel,
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
2
Awarded US $120 for Best
idea on water harvesting
3
Financial support to
Awarding Organization/Body
Year
Kenyatta University/University of
Guelph, Canada
23rd-26th
February, 2014
Kenyatta University Management
2011
EASCOM of ASARECA
24th-25th
12
attend EASCOM AGM
Entebbe, Uganda
Fellowship-chickpea
breeding and seed
production.
4
5
Fellowship-Jojoba
breeding and
production.
6
Best paper in
Horticulture and
Industrial Crops (US $
400)
Best paper in
Biotechnology (US $
145)
Fellowship-Molecular
marker techniques for
development of
improved crop varieties.
Fellowship–Marker
Assisted selection and
Mutation Breeding.
Fellowship-Advances in
Molecular
Characterization for
Crop Improvement.
Awarded US$ 1,000 to
attend conference in
Johannesburg, South
Africa.
Fellowship-Sunflower
breeding.
7
8
9
10
11
12
21/9-30/9/2008
2008
Secretariat 10th KARI Scientific
Conference
2006
IAEA/AFRA/ARC-LNR,
Roodeplaat, Pretoria, South
Africa
14/8-1/9/2006
IAEA/KARI, Njoro, Kenya
3–14 /10/2005
IAEA/KARI, Njoro, Kenya
16/2-27/2/2004
International Sunflower
Association (ISA)
2002
World Bank/Directorate of
Oilseed
Research (DOR), Hyderabad,
India.
9. External Examination (if any)
S/No
1
2
International Crops Research
Institute
for the Semi arid Tropics
(ICRISAT), Patancheru, India.
Kenya Agricultural Productivity
Project (KAPP)/Association of the
Rajasthan Jojoba Plantation
Research
Project (AJORP) Jaipur,
Rajasthan,
India
Secretariat 11th KARI Scientific
Conference
February,
2011
6/01-5/02/09
Institution
External Examiner, MSc Thesis,
University of Nairobi.
External Examiner, MSc Thesis,
Jomo Kenyatta University of
Year
2015
2015
13
18/9-18/11/96
Agriculture and Technology.
Finalization of Seed and Plant
Varieties Act (CAP326) Regulations
2014: Reviewer,
AGRA/KU/UON/HAK International
Conference
2014: Reviewer, Journal of Applied
Biosciences (JABs)
Review of Seed and Plant Varieties
Act (CAP326) Regulations
Reviewer of Papers-Journal of
Animal and Plant Sciences
Reviewer of Papers-10th KARI
Conference
3
4
5
6
7
8
2015
2014
2014
2013
2010
2008
10. Supervision of postgraduate students (if any)
S/No
1
Name of student
Inoti, Shadrack
Kinyua
2
Sylvia A. Henga
3
Kirui
Kipngetich
Rickson
4
Onyango
Rosally
Anyango
Thesis title
PhDCharacterization,
Propagation and
Management of
Jojoba
(Simmondsia
chinensis) in
Semi-arid Areas
of Voi, Kenya.
PhD-Finger
Printing and
Relating Juvenile
Characters of
Rice to Yield and
its Components
MSc-Evaluation
of Chickpea
(Cicer arietinum
Genotypes for
Fusarium Wilt
Resistance and
Its’ Management
by Fungicides.
MScCharacterization
of Virus-free
Sweet Potato
14
Status of project(e.g. First year etc)
Third year-Sokoine University of
Agriculture, Tanzania
First Year- Kenyatta University
Final year (Thesis submitted), Egerton
University
Graduated 4th July 2014, Kenyatta
University
5
Jobson Aruna
Momo
6
James M.
Gimase
7
Anyang Robert
Tabot
8
Ochieng Alfred
Odhiambo
9
Wanyama
Patrick Wanjala
(Ipomea batatas
[L.] Lam)
Landraces Using
Morphological
and SSR Markers
in East Kamagak
LocationRachuonyo
District.
MSc-Effect of
Withholding
Irrigation Water
at Different
Levels After
Complete
Heading on Rice
Yield and Seed
Quality.
MSc-Genetic
Diversity of
Arabusta Coffee
(Coffea arabica
L. x Coffea
canephora Pierre)
and their Parental
Genotypes.
MSc-Effects of
Varietal
Differences, Plant
Spacing, and
Yields of Upland
Rice in Uganda.
MSc-Cytoplasmic
Genes and Their
Influence in the
Productivity of
Dry bean
(Phaseolous
vulgaris).
MSc-Path and
Stability Analyses
of Yield and
15
Graduated 4th July 2014, Kenyatta
University
Graduated 4th July 2014, Kenya
University
Completed, Kenya University
Second year, Kenya University
Second year, Kenya University
Yield
Components of
Soyabean
(Glycine max. L
Merr.) Varieties
Intercropped with
Maize
10
Tabitha Kariithi
MSc-Effect of
Second year, Kenyatta University
Organic and
Inorganic
Fertilizers on
Yield and Quality
of Amaranthus
Species in
Kiambu County
11. Patents (if any)
S/No
1
Partner in official release of Sunflower hybrid-Kenya Almasi in 2008.
2
Partner in release of sunflower variety-KAJ 001 in 2010.
3
Partner in release of sunflower variety-KAJ 037 in 2010.
12. Administrative positions held to date
(1) Departmental Examination Coordinator, Agricultural Science and Technology
(AST)-30th June, 2011 to 30th October 2013.
(2) Chairman, Plant Breeders’ Association of Kenya (PBAK), 2009-Todate.
(3) Member of the Project Steering Committee (PSC)-JICA supported Science and
Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS)-Rice project.
16
17