PLANT CELL ATLAS
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2022 JR Biotek-PCA Mentoring Program Best Talk Awardees

Headshot of Joan Josephine C. Kimutai on the left with the JR Biotek and PCA logos on the right.
1st Prize Best Talk Award
Joan Josephine C. Kimutai
Joan Josephine C. Kimutai is team-oriented plant breeder with experience in classical and molecular methods of crop improvement. Her career objective is to develop stress tolerant crop varieties suitable for smallholder farmers in different agro-ecologies of Kenya and sub-Saharan Africa in general.  She holds a Master of Science degree in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology (The University of Nairobi) and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biotechnology (Kenyatta University). Joan is a PhD fellow at the West Africa Centre for Crop improvement (WACCI), University of Ghana pursuing Plant Breeding. She is currently a visiting student at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT, Kenya) where she is conducting her PhD research titled “Genetic Analysis of Striga (Striga hermonthica (Del) Benth.) Resistance in Maize”. The objective of the research is to contribute to increased maize genetic gains through the application of genomic approaches in the development of Striga resistant varieties. Joan has previously worked with Agriscope Africa Limited. She has experience with field and greenhouse experimental procedures, molecular techniques and plant tissue culture procedures and statistical, genetic and molecular data analyses using various software and bioinformatics tools. Joan is a team player with excellent communication, managerial and leadership skills. She is a dependable, self-motivated, innovative, open-minded, and a charismatic learner who is passionate with improving livelihoods through the development of climate resilient, disease and pest tolerant crops for improved food security and nutrition. Learn more about Joan and watch her interview on the PCA blog.
Headshot of Idris Adejumobi.
2nd Prize Best Talk Award
Idris Adejumobi
PhD Scholar in Plant Science
University of Kisangani, DR Congo
Headshot of Nii-Ayi Ankrah.
3rd Prize Best Talk Award
Nii-Ayi Ankrah
PhD Scholar in Cytogenetics
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana
Headshot of Velma Okaron.
Outstanding Leadership Award
Velma Okaron
PhD Scholar in Plant Breeding
Makerere University, Uganda
Deep learning and 3D isosurface rending reveals the spatial relationship of cell mitochondria (blue), Golgi and Golgi vesicles (green) and cell wall with plasmodesmata voids (magenta) in barley root using serial block-face scanning electron microscopy. Photo credt: K. Czymmek
Deep learning and 3D isosurface rending reveals the spatial relationship of cell mitochondria (blue), Golgi and Golgi vesicles (green) and cell wall with plasmodesmata voids (magenta) in barley root using serial block-face scanning electron microscopy. Photo credt: K. Czymmek
Reconstruction of an Arabidopsis first leaf from a six-day old seedling. Photo credit: F. Bossi
Reconstruction of an Arabidopsis first leaf from a six-day old seedling. Photo credit: F. Bossi
ER marker (green) and anthocyanin (magenta) in Arabidopsis epidermal cells. Photo credit: Alexandra Chanoca (Otegui Lab)
ER marker (green) and anthocyanin (magenta) in Arabidopsis epidermal cells. Photo credit: Alexandra Chanoca (Otegui Lab)
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
“The Plant Cell Atlas operates predominantly out of Michigan State University. We acknowledge that Michigan State University occupies the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary Lands of the Anishinaabeg – the Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi peoples. We affirm Indigenous sovereignty and hold Michigan State University accountable to the needs of American Indian and Indigenous peoples.”

For questions about the PCA Initiative please contact us at [email protected].

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Grant #'s: 1916797 & 2052590
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  • Home
  • About
    • Annual Report
    • Newsletter
    • People
    • Motivation
    • Goals
    • Milestones
    • Affilations
    • News >
      • Breaking News
      • Past News
    • Code of Conduct
    • Bylaws
    • Contact
  • Resources
    • Publications >
      • 2022 Plant Physiology Focus Issue
    • Tools and Repositories
    • PCA Videos
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events >
      • Spatial Metabolomics Workshop - March 2025
    • Previous Events
  • Opportunities
    • Job Posts
    • Fellowships
  • Outreach
    • JR Biotek-PCA Best Talk Winner
    • PCA Art Exhibit >
      • About
      • Plant Biotechnology
      • Black Plant Scientists
      • Bowie State University
      • Howard University
      • Morgan State University
    • Futurum Brochure
  • Blog