Hi Olawale Olalekan!

What are you doing in the project? 

We are utilizing a diverse pool of 342 wheat varieties, each with different ploidy levels, incorporating segments from rye, to investigate the presence of nutritionally significant traits in wheat at elevated levels. We subject the nutritional evaluation data using different analytical methods to genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify single markers associated with these traits of interest which will be developed into Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP) which is a uniplex benchtop sequencing method for affordable and quick sequencing to identify this trait in breeding populations. The result of this research will enable breeders to make quick and accurate breeding decisions which will contribute to faster development of wheat that can provide an adequate amount of nutrition in humans to reduce micronutrient deficiency.

Why is the project important? 

Micronutrient deficiency is the most single contributor to diseases in humans affecting around 3 billion of the world population with children under the age of five and pregnant women most affected. The result of this research will enable breeders to make quick and accurate breeding decisions which will contribute to faster development of wheat that is nutritious, tasty and healthy for society contributing to the reduction of micronutrient deficiency and other human diseases. The result can also contribute to resource-efficient farming systems through the development of adaptable wheat specific to organic and conventional growing conditions.

What did you do before you started your PhD? 

I had my master's in plant breeding from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria and then worked for a few years as a research fellow at the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria where I am involved in raising seedlings and plantation establishment of forestry resouces.

Tell about one of your best moment or experience during your PhD studies thus far! 

There are several best moments. One was when I had the opportunity to work with an analytical sensory panel in one of my research packages, it was a learning and fascinating time for me even though I had to travel several hours daily for a month.

The interview was conducted in 2024.