CURRICULUM VITAE FOR PRIVILEGE. T. MAKUNDE, BSc (Hons), MSc
E-mail address: mprivilege@hotmail.com
29541 Unit J Seke Chitungwiza, Harare, Zimbabwe
Mobile Number: +263 774 756 985, Place of Birth: Bikita, Zimbabwe
Gender: Male, Date of Birth: 17/06/83, Nationality: Zimbabwean
CARRIER OBJECTIVE
 Seeking to become a better and knowledgeable Crop Scientist /Nematologist who is
at par with the latest technologies and advancements in agricultural field. I am
looking forward in establishing myself in the field of agriculture, to demonstrate my
knowledge and technical skills that will contribute to the development and better
understanding of science for benefit.
Fields of interest
Plant Nematology, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Genetic Engineering
UNIVERSITY EDUCATION
European Master of Science in Nematology, Ghent University, Belgium (2010 – 2012)
Grade: Great Distinction
BSc (Hons) Horticulture, Midlands State University, Zimbabwe (2004 – 2007)
Grade: Upper Second Division (2.1)
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Master Thesis Subject: Functional analysis of potato cyst nematode effectors [Wageninigen
University and Research Centre-Laboratory of Nematology] - (01/02/2012 to 31/08/2012)
Applied molecular biology skills and experience:
Basic molecular biology techniques (PCR, restriction digestion, molecular cloning)
RNA-based techniques (RNA extraction, purification, cDNA synthesis, RT-PCR)
Plant transformation using Agrobacterium tumefeciens and transformants selection
Engineering constructs for RNA-interference (hpRNA and amiRNA) for gene
functional analysis and for pest transgenic control
 Clonal propagation and plant tissue culture
 Agro-infiltration and microbiology techniques
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Internship, Department of Research and Specialists Services, Crop Breeding Institute,
Zimbabwe (January 2006 – February 2007)
As an intern student (research assistant), I was involved in basic, applied, and adaptive
research activities aimed at increased productivity and income for resource-poor farmers in
Zimbabwe. My duties were to monitor and carryout conventional breeding of wheat, barley,
rice and Irish potato, evaluating field and glass performance of the newly developed potato
lines and assist in best performers’ selections.
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
 Identification of plant-parasitic, free-living and entomopathogenic nematodes
 Well versed with methods of sampling, extraction and cultivation of nematodes
 Molecular and biochemical techniques for identification, study of genetic diversity,
gene expression and phylogeny of nematodes, including methods of DNA extraction
from nematodes and host plants, PCR, RAPD, RFLP, dot-blot hybridisation, real-time
PCR, DNA cloning, EST sequencing and protein electrophoresis
 Exceptional knowledge of methods of evaluation of crops to nematode resistance
 In-depth knowledge on methods of scanning and transmission electron microscopy
 Profound knowledge of methods of chemical and biological controls of nematodes
Computing Skills:
 Applications: Microsoft Office Suite, Internet Explorer
 Office Applications: Microsoft PowerPoint, Access, Excel, Word
 Operating Systems: Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 7
Other skills
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Knowledge of research methodologies
Data and information mining
Writing and presenting reports
Bioinformatics
Statistical software: extensive experience with R, Genstat and STATISTICA
Molecular data analysis with Relative Expression Software Tool (REST)
AWARD(S)
 2010: Erasmus Mundus Scholarship, European Commission to study MSc in
Nematology Joint Degree at Ghent University (Belgium)
 2011: Certificate of Achievement, Diploma in ‘Low Country Studies’, Ghent
University (Belgium)
REFERENCES
Prof. Dr. Aska Goverse
Department of Plant Sciences
Wageningen University
Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 317485086
E-mail: aska.goverse@wur.nl
Prof. Dr. Alexandra Rosa da Costa
Department of Biology
Universidade de Évora
Évora 7000
Portugal
Tel: +351919012292
E-mail: arc@uevora.pt
K. Simango
Crop Breeding Institute
P.O.Box CY 550, Causeway
Harare, Zimbabwe
Tel: +263 4 704531/9
E-mail: kenzosimango@yahoo.co.uk
Dr. Anna Finkers-Tomczack
Department of Plant Sciences
Wageningen University
Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB
The Netherlands T+31 317483349
E-mail: anna.tomczak@wur.nl