Miriam Kinyua: Plant Breeding Researcher

Prof Miriam Kinyua is a well-known Kenyan plant breeder. She is an associate professor of biotechnology at Moi University, Eldoret. Before her appointment to Moi University she was a Centre Director at the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI).

Earlier this year, the Standard newspaper ran a story on a research project by a team of Kenyan scientists led by Prof Kinyua that has successfully bred a new variety of wheat – Njoro BW1 – using nuclear technology. The new wheat variety is resistant to drought and disease, and also produces high quality flour. Wheat is Kenya’s second most important crop after maize.

Below, reproduced from the Standard online, is the side bar of the feature article which gives some more insight into Prof Miriam Kinyua’s passion for her work in agricultural research.
All I can say is: More grease to your elbow, Prof Kinyua, and keep up the good work!

Scientist leads effort to green Kenya’s drylands

By Harold Ayodo

Her expertise in plant breeding has won her international accolades in the last 13 years. But never before has Prof Miriam Kinyua’s skills been more relevant than know, in the wake of global food crisis.

Recently, the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) invited her to speak on nuclear plant breeding technology to decision makers at an international conference in Rome.

For the last five years, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has engaged her for several assignments and other international organisations have funded 13 of her research projects in 17 years.

"At work, I don’t see myself as a woman but as a competent professional," Kinyua says. To-date, she has published more than 30 papers in peer reviewed journals and presented 40 papers in international conferences.

President Kibaki awarded her with the Order of Grand Warrior for her contribution to national agricultural production through research two years ago.

Encouraging girls to embrace science, the mother of two says the course is not gender-based. With 20 years’ work experience, the biotechnology lecturer at Moi University was interested in science since she was a girl.

"My father encouraged me to follow my heart – science —, and he kept reminding me that I am a child and not a girl," she says.

She topped her class in sciences in high school and joined University of Nairobi for a Bachelor of Science degree course. She holds Master’s and PhD degrees in plant breeding from the same university.

The Alliance Girls High School alumni taught at Egerton University in 1987 before she delved into research. She coordinated wheat research in Kenya between 2000 and 2005 and now teaches postgraduate students.

She has supervised seven PhD and 23 Master of Science students in public universities since 1999. The seasoned scholar has been involved in several international scientific assignments that won her awards.

"The Government of Mozambique invited me last year to assist in formulating a biotechnology strategy for the country," she says.

She won the best project award at the KARI in 1996 and a certificate of excellence for outstanding scientific performance and contribution to agricultural research.

The American Biographic Institute included Prof Kinyua in its International Directory of Distinguished Leadership for her expertise in 1998.

"I aspire to make discoveries that respond to the needs of farmers," Kinyua says.

Credit
Ayodo H. 2009. Breakthrough on wheat. The Standard. Thursday 8 January 2009. http://eastandard.net/agriculture/InsidePage.php?id=1144003489&cid=465&. Accessed 15 July 2009.

Ayodo H. 2009. Scientist leads effort to green Kenya’s drylands. The Standard. Thursday 8 January 2009. http://eastandard.net/agriculture/InsidePage.php?id=1144003487&cid=465& Accessed 15 July 2009.