ARPPIS PhD scholar

Getachew Kebede Aragaw

Research project: Understanding the dynamics of Robusta coffee (Coffea canephora) coverage, pest and disease risks, and carbon sequestration using geo-spatial and earth observation techniques in Uganda. Getachew Kebede Aragaw is an ARPPIS PhD scholar being supervised by Dr. Elfatih M. Abdel-Rahman, Dr. Bester Tawona Mudereri Dr. Henri Tonnang (icipe), Dr. Fabrice Pinard (Cirad, icipe) and Dr. John Odindi (University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa). His research aim to develop landscape-scale models to determine the dynamics of Robusta coffee (Coffea canephora) cover change, pest and disease risk, and carbon sequestration using remotely sensed data in Uganda. Getachew Kebede completed his BSc in Natural Resources Economics and Management (NREM) at Mekelle University (Ethiopia) and his Master of Science (MSc) in Geo-Information at Bahir Dar University (Ethiopia).

Walellign Wotro Wanore

<h3>Research project: Tolerance of Ethiopian honeybees towards Varroa mites and associated viruses </h3> Wallelign is an ARPPIS PhD scholar being supervised by Drs. Michael Lattorff, Workneh Ayalew, Abebe Jenberie (icipe).  He will work on understanding the tolerance mechanism of Ethiopian honeybees against Varroa mite and associated viruses’ infestation load.  His research targets on evaluating the contribution of behavioral traits and colony characteristics of Ethiopian honeybees interfering with Varroa mite reproduction and determining gene expression of honeybees with respect to Varroa mite and virus infestation load. He holds a BSc. in animal range and wildlife science from Mekelle University and an MSc. in Apiculture from Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia. He has been working in Southern Agricultural Research Institute (Ethiopia) as an associate researcher on Apiculture and Sericulture.

Abdul A. Jalloh

Research Project Title: The Role of Soil Microbiome in Mediating Tritrophic Interactions between Host Plant, Fall Armyworm Pest, and Parasitoids in Maize Cropping Systems. Jalloh is an ARPPIS PhD scholar being supervised by Drs. Daniel Mutyambai, Fathiya Khamis and Sevgan Subramanian (icipe), and Dr. Yusuf Abdullahi Ahmed (University of Pretotia, South Africa). His reseach will open potential pathways of reducing the attraction of Fall Armyworm (FAW) to host maize plants. The knowledge gained will lead to a reduction in the use of pesticides currently used to manage FAW, most of which are classified as highly hazardous. The study will also provide insights into the mediating role of the soil microbiome in the control of FAW through the push-pull cropping systems and maize-legumes interacting. Jalloh completed his BSc in Biology at the Stella Maris Polytechnic University (SMPU) in Monrovia, Liberia. He holds an MSc degree in Microbiology from Kenyatta University (KU), Nairobi, Kenya. He is currently registered for a PhD in Entomology at University of Pretoria (UP) South Africa.

Rua Khogali Ibrahim Khogali

Research project: Using metagenomics to unravel how tick microbiomes and endosymbionts affect pathogen prevalence and transmission risk.  Rua Khogali Ibrahim Khogali is an ARPPIS PhD Scholar being supervised by Dr. Jandouwe Villinger, Dr. Daniel Masiga and Dr. Caleb Kibet (icipe) and Dr. Armanda Bastos (University of Pretoria). Her research interest is Veterinary Entomolgy. Her project is hosted by icipe through the European Union (EU). Its research aim is to characterise and contrast pathogen prevalence with tick species-specific microbiomes, considering climate, altitude, and land-use practice. Rua holds both her BVM and MSc in Parasitology from Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at University of Khartoum, Sudan.

Emmanuel Anedo

Research Project: Evaluating the impact of insect frass fertilizer on soil health, crop performance and pest protection Emmanuel is an ARPPIS PhD scholar supervised by Dr. Chrysantus Tanga, Dr. Solveig Haukeland, Dr. Xavier Chesoto and Dr. James Peter Egonyu.  Bio: Emmanuel holds B.Agric. degree in Soil science and Environmental management from Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, Nigeria and an M.Sc. in Soil fertility and Fertilizer technology from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike Nigeria. Emmanuel is on the process of registering for a PhD programme on Integrated soil fertility management at Kenyatta University Nairobi, Kenya.

Godfred Yaw Boanyah

Research Project: Studies on the role of Anopheles symbiotic microsporidia as malaria transmission blocker. Godfred Yaw Boanyah is a PhD researcher being supervised by Dr. Jeremy Herren (icipe), Dr Tullu Bukhari (icipe), and Prof. Lizette Koekemoer (University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa). His research work aims to determine the dynamic temperature and humidity effects on Microsporidia MB density, the viability of forced inoculation using spores homogenates from infected testes and determine Microsporidia spread through uninfected populations upon the release of infected mosquito populations in population cages. Godfred Yaw Boanyah holds a BSc Biological Science degree and MPhil. in Clinical Microbiology, both from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi-Ghana.

Kokou Rodrigue Fiaboe

Research Project:  Tritrophic interactions in solanaceous cropping systems Kokou Rodri gue Fiaboe is a PhD researcher Supervised by Dr. Fathiya Mbarak Khamis (icipe), Prof. Baldwyn Torto (icipe & University of Pretoria), and Dr. Yusuf Abdullahi (University of Pretoria). Rodrigue's research aims to investigate the impacts of solanaceous cropping systems on ecosystem structure and functioning. He earned his BSc. in agricultural sciences from the University of Lomé's Graduate School of Agronomic Sciences and his MPhil. in Entomology from the African Regional Postgraduate Programme in Insect Science (ARPPIS) at the University of Ghana (Legon, Ghana). He is a PhD student at the University of Pretoria's Department of Zoology and Entomology.

Bashiru Adams

Research Project:  Studies of below ground factors of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and development of effective biorationals for the management of tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta, (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) Bashiru Adams is a PhD researcher being supervised by Dr. Fathiya Khamis (icipe), Prof. Baldwyn Torto (icipe and University of Pretoria), and Dr. Yusuf Abdullahi Ahmed (University of Pretoria, South Africa). His research work aims to evaluate the potential of bioactive compounds from wild tomato, other Solanaceae and selected Asteraceae plants for sustainable management of tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta and below ground pest and diseases of tomato. Bashiru Adams completed his BSc. and MSc. in Agriculture Science and Crop Protection (Plant Entomology) respectively, at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana. He is currently registered at the University of Pretoria pursing a PhD program in Entomology.

Komi Mensah Agboka

Research project: Modelling the dispersal, outbreak patterns and crop association of insect pests and their natural enemies  in Africa. Komi Mensah Agboka is a PhD researcher Supervised by Dr. Henri Tonnang (Icipe), Dr. Elfatih M. Abdel-Rahman (Icipe), Prof. John Odindi (University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa), Prof. Onisimo Mutanga (University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa). His aim is to develop and evaluate models that can be used to understand the dispersal, outbreak patterns of crop association with insect pests and their natural enemies. Komi completed his Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in civil engineering at the University of Lomé (UL) in Togo and Master of Science (MSc) in civil and environmental engineering at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in Kenya. He is in the process of registering at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), South Africa.

Emmanuel Peter

Research Project:  Understanding the Chemical Ecology Underpinning Fall Armyworm Resistance Mechanisms in Maize-Based Intercropping Systems  Emmanuel Peter is a PhD researcher supervised by Dr Amanuel Tamiru, Prof Baldwyn Torto, Dr Subramanian Sevgan (icipe); Prof Kerstin Kruger, Dr Abdullahi Yusuf (University of Pretoria). His aim is to investigate the chemical ecology of FAW resistance mechanisms and herbivore-crop-natural enemy interactions in maize-based intercropping systems. Emmanuel completed his B. Agric. and M.Sc. in Crop Protection at Nasarawa State University, Keffi and Bayero University, Kano (Nigeria) respectively. He is in the process of registering at the University of Pretoria, South Africa

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