Dr Takayoshi Ishii
Principal Investigator
Dr Takayoshi Ishii is the group leader of the Plant Cytogenetics group at Arid Land Research Center, Tottori University, Japan since 2018. He has a PhD from The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Tottori University, Japan. Dr Ishii was a postdoctoral fellow at the Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Gatersleben, Germany, in the group of Dr Houben about the manipulation of centromere for haploid production in crop species. Dr Ishii is interested in basic and applied aspects of the genome elimination phenomenon in hybrids.
Dr Offiong Ukpong Edet
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Dr Offiong Ukpong Edet is a Plant Geneticist and Molecular Breeder, with a keen interest in utilizing applicable techniques of molecular cytogenetics and DNA markers to improve crops’ yields and resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses. During his PhD research at the United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Tottori University, he combined genomic in situ hybridization and DNA markers to characterize and select wheat—Leymus introgression lines as promising candidates for managing stresses in common wheat.
Satoru Nakashima
Technical Assistant
Satoru Nakashima works as a Technical Assistant for the Hy-Gain project. He previously worked as a banker and Certified Public Accountant before joining Tottori.
Yuka Sekiguchi
Technical Assistant
Yuka Sekiguchi works as a Technical Assistant for the Hy-Gain project. While working as a technician, she developed her interest in cowpea research, hence has been admitted into the MSc program of the Graduate School of Sustainability Science, Tottori University. She will continue to work on Hy-Gain project-related research during her Master’s course.
Runa Harada
Technical Assistant
Runa Harada works as a Technical Assistant for the Hy-Gain project. She previously worked as a Technical Assistant in a machine manufacturing company before joining Tottori.
Ofem Ngozi Paulinus
Masters Student
Ofem Ngozi Paulinus is a Master’s student who joined our research group last year. Her interest is on utilizing genetic improvement tools to enhance cowpea and to understand the genetic diversity that exist between Asian cowpea and its wild relatives. She’s currently working on establishing a reproducible culture system in Cowpea to aid wide crosses and introgression of selective traits for improved varieties.
Hy-Gain for smallholders
High-yielding, sorghum and cowpea seed