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Dr. Daniel Dzidzienyo - Profile

 Dr. Daniel Kwadjo Dzidzienyo

   PhD, Molecular Biology, Nottingham

   ddzidzienyo@wacci.ug.edu.gh

   Deputy Director, Administration, Teaching and Learning (ATL)
   Deputy Centre Leader, WACCI - ACE Project
   Senior Lecturer, Biotechnology Centre
   University of Ghana

 

Profile               Grant-Funded Research               Research & Teaching               Publications

 

Profile

Dr. Daniel Dzidzienyo is a Senior Lecturer at the Biotechnology Centre of the University of Ghana (UG). Simultaneously, he serves as the Deputy Director responsible for Administration, Teaching, and Learning (ATL) at the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) and also holds the position of Deputy Centre Leader for the WACCI-Africa Centre of Excellence (ACE) project. Prior to his appointment as Deputy Director (Administration, Teaching and Learning), he served as the Coordinator for Research Programmes, Anglophone Africa at WACCI. He has also been involved curriculum review and development and in the teaching of courses in Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Crop Improvement, and related areas both at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He has served the University in many significant capacities. Dr. Dzidzienyo is a member of the WACCI Management Committee, Biotechnology Centre Management Committee, and also served on the College of Basic and Applied Sciences (CBAS) Academic Board, CBAS Research Board and UG Academic Board. Dr. Dzidzienyo had his secondary education at the Mawuli School in Ho. He then proceeded to the University of Ghana, Legon to read a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, graduating with First Class Honours. He had his second degree under the Developing Solutions Taught Scholarship for MSc, University of Nottingham, UK. He mastered in Plant Genetic Manipulations. Dr. Dzidzienyo also holds a PhD in Plant Sciences (Molecular Biology and Biotechnology) from the University of Nottingham, UK, under a joint PhD Studentship from the University of Nottingham, UK and The James Hutton Institute, UK. His research interest includes the integration of innovative techniques for the genetic improvement of crop plants and the use of modern molecular techniques for developing resilient varieties of staple crops particularly root and tuber crops for food and nutrition security in Africa.

 

Education

• PhD Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Nottingham, UK, Sep 2008- Oct 2012

• MSc Plant Genetic Manipulation, University of Nottingham, UK, Aug 2007- Sep 2008

• BSc Agriculture, University of Ghana, Aug 2002- May 2006

 

 

ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS AND AFFILIATIONS
DATE POSITION INSTITUTION
October 2023 – date Deputy Director, Administration, Teaching and Learning West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), University of Ghana
September 2021 – date Senior Lecturer Biotechnology Centre, University of Ghana
September 2020 – date E-learning Ambassador West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), University of Ghana
February 2014 – date Deputy Centre Leader, WACCI ACE project West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), University of Ghana
August 2013 – August 2021 Lecturer Biotechnology Centre, University of Ghana
August 2013 – October 2023 Associate Faculty [Coordinator for Research Programmes, Anglophone Africa] West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), University of Ghana

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LEICENSURES/BOARDS/OTHER PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
NAME OF BOARD DURATION
College of Basic and Applied Sciences (CBAS) Research Board, Member 2023 - date
Maphlix Trust Ghana Limited Board, Non-Executive Director, Chair 2022- date
Sectoral Advisory Board (ISAB), WACCI, Member 2019 – date
International Scientific Advisory Board (ISAB), WACCI, Member 2019 – date
University of Ghana (UG) Academic Board, Member 2016 - 2020
College of Basic and Applied Sciences (CBAS) Academic Board, Member 2014 - 2020
College of Basic and Applied Sciences (CBAS) Research Board, Member 2014 - 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIPS
NAME OF COMMITTEE DURATION
Management Committee, Biotechnology Centre, Member August 2021 - date
University of Ghana Farm Renovation Committee, Member December 2021 – date
Department of Crop Science Welfare, Deputy Chairman December 2020 – date
Finance Committee, WACCI, Member December 2020 - date
Farm Committee, Department of Crop Science, Member December 2015 – August 2017
Management Staff, WACCI, Member August 2014 – date
UG-USAID Feed the Future (FtF) Programme Project Management Committee, Member January 2014 – March 2021
Management Committee, WACCI, Member August 2014 – date
Admissions Committee, WACCI, Member August 2013 – date
Research Committee, WACCI, Member August 2013 – date
Laboratory Operations Management Committee, Biotechnology Centre, Member August 2013 – date
Academic Programmes Management Committee, Biotechnology Centre, Chairman August 2013 – date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONSULTANTSHIPS
  • Biotechnology Expert – Expert to the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of the Board of National Biosafety Authority (NBA), Ghana, (2022 – date)
  • Biotechnology Expert – worked with the African Biosafety Network of Expertise, NEPAD-Agency, to design advocacy materials and create awareness in biotechnology and related issues, (2015 – 2016)

 

MANUSCRIPT REVIEWS
  • Reviewer for Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems [Manuscript number: 629386 titled “Biofortification of staple crops to eliminate human malnutrition: contributions and potential in developing countries”] (February 2021)
  • Reviewer for Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science, Ghana Science Association [Manuscript Number: JGSA15AG5R1 titled “Molecular characterization of cassava germplasm”] (April 2016).
  • Reviewer for International Journal for Genomics [Manuscript Number: 8740901 titled "Genome-wide characterization and expression profiles of the superoxide dismutase gene family in Gossypium”] (June 2016).
  • Reviewer for Rice Science [Manuscript Number: RiceSci-2017-0075, titled "Genetic diversity and Adaptation of Oryza glaberrima Steud. to salt stress at the early seedling stage”] (June 2017).

 

HONORS AND AWARDS
  1. Award winner of the Academic Excellence Award for Outstanding Academic Performance at BSc Level from Legon Hall, University of Ghana (April, 2005).
  2. First Class Award (2nd best graduating student in Crop Science) at BSc level, University of Ghana, Legon (May, 2006).
  3. Award winner of the Academic Excellence Award for Graduating with 1st Class Honours from Legon Hall, University of Ghana (April, 2007).
  4. Developing Solutions Taught Scholarship for MSc, University of Nottingham, UK (2007-2008).
  5. Joint PhD Studentship, University of Nottingham, UK and The James Hutton Institute, UK (2008-2012).

 

 

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS
MEMBERSHIP DURATION
African Plant Breeders Association (APBA) 2019 - date
Alliance for Science, Ghana 2016 - date
Cornell Alliance for Science 2016 - date
University Teachers Association of Ghana, UTAG 2013 - date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conferences, Workshops & Meetings
  • Workshop: Regional Planning of Research Activities at the Regional Center of Excellence on Roots and Tubers, organised by CORAF and CSIR-CRI. Kumasi, Ghana, November 23-24, 2023. [Participant]
  • Workshop: Strengthening Institutionalized Capacity in Genome Editing and Biotechnology through Strategic Partnership Alliances and Linkages with Universities and Colleges, jointly organised by AUDA-NEPAD and the CSIR. Accra, Ghana, November 20 - 21, 2023. [Participant/Expert]
  • Workshop: Tenth World Bank Africa Centre of Excellence for Development Impact (ACE Impact) Regional Workshop. Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, October 31- November 3, 2023. [Participant]
  • Conference: The 3rd African Plant Breeders Association (APBA) Conference “Leveraging Genetic Innovation for Resilient African Food Systems in the wake of Global Shocks”. UM6P, Benguerir, Morocco, October 23-25, 2023 [Participant and Session Chair]
  • Workshop: Capacity Building workshop in “ACE Concept Sustainability through Market Access and Industry Collaboration” organised by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, GTEC, Ghana. Noda Hotel, Kumasi, Ghana, October 9 - 13, 2023. [Participant]
  • Symposium: International Symposium on Agricultural Transformation and Biotech Crops in Africa. University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana, June 2, 2023. [Speaker]
  • Conference: WACCI Alumni Homecoming and 16th Anniversay Celebrations: “Harnessing Human Capital in Plant Breeding for the Future of Food Security in Africa”. University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana, May 30 - June 1, 2023. [Participant/Facilitator]
  • Workshop: Ninth World Bank Africa Centre of Excellence for Development Impact (ACE Impact) Regional Workshop and Higher Education Forum, Marrakech, Morocco, May 29-30, 2023. [Participant]
  • Workshop: Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting to Conduct Risk Assessment on Environmental Release of a GMO event and Confined Field Trial of a GMO event., organised by the National Biosafety Authority (NBA), Ghana, in collaboration with AUDA-NEPAD: MENSVIC Grand Hotel, Accra, Ghana, May 10-12, 2023. [Participant/Expert]
  • Workshop: Developing Guidelines for Regulating Genome Editing, and Guidelines on Stacked Genes, in Ghana, organised by the National Biosafety Authority (NBA), Ghana, in collaboration with AUDA-NEPAD: MENSVIC Grand Hotel, Accra, Ghana, May 8-9, 2023. [Participant/Expert]
  • Conference: The Plant and Animal Genomics Conference (PAG 30). Town & Country Resort and Conference Center, San Diego, CA, USA, January 13-18, 2023. [Participant]
  • Workshop: One-day experience sharing workshop on modern biotechnology (genome editing) jointly organised by AUDA-NEPAD and the CSIR. Accra, Ghana, November 25, 2022. [Participant/Expert]
  • Workshop: Eight World Bank Africa Centre of Excellence for Development Impact (ACE Impact) Regional Workshop: Banjul, Gambia, November 19-22, 2022. [Participant]
  • Workshop: Developing Guidelines for Regulating Genome Editing, and Guidelines on Stacked Genes, in Ghana, organised by the National Biosafety Authority (NBA), Ghana, in collaboration with AUDA-NEPAD: MENSVIC Grand Hotel, Accra, Ghana, October 3-4, 2022. [Participant/Expert]
  • Workshop: Developing Guidelines for Regulating Stacked Genes, and Guidelines on Genome Editing in Ghana organised by the National Biosafety Authority (NBA), Ghana, in collaboration with AUDA-NEPAD: MENSVIC Grand Hotel, Accra, Ghana, October 5-7, 2022. [Participant/Expert]
  • Conference: Grow, Nourish, Reward. Bold Actions for Resilient Food Systems: AGRCF 2022 Summit. Kigali, Rwanda, September 6-9, 2022.
  • Conference: “The Potential of Genome Editing for Sustainable African Agriculture” organised by the VIB-International Plant Biotechnology Outreach (VIB-IPBO) and Ghent University: Ghent, Belgium, June 30 – July 1, 2022. [Participant]  
  • Workshop: Seventh World Bank Africa Centre of Excellence for Development Impact (ACE Impact) Regional Workshop: Benin, Cotonou, June 14-18, 2022. [Participant]
  • Workshop: Capacity Building workshop in Project Management and Sustainability: “Effective Management of Projects or Special Engagements outside of Normal Operations and how that fits with the Management of World Bank Projects and Sustaining the ACE Concept beyond the ACE Impact project”: for the First Africa Higher Education Centres of Excellence for Development Impact (ACE Impact) Project organised by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, GTEC, Ghana: Capital View Hotel, Koforidua, May 10 - 13, 2022. [Participant].
  • Conference: The 2nd African Plant Breeders Association (APBA) Conference “Accelerating genetic gains in plant breeding for resilience and transformative food systems and economic growth in Africa”.”, Serena Kigali Hotel, Kigali, Rwanda, October 25-29, 2021 [Member of Local Organizing Committee, Participant and Facilitator].
  • Workshop: Capacity Building workshop in Safeguards; Monitoring & Evaluation and Endowment Management: for the First Africa Higher Education Centres of Excellence for Development Impact (ACE Impact) Project organised by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, GTEC, Ghana: Capital View Hotel, Koforidua, September 20 - 25, 2021. [Participant].
  • Symposium: UN Global Food Systems Summit 2021 Dialogues on Ag-Innovations and Interventions for Food Systems Transformation - “From Lab to the Fork” : Interventions for Food Systems Transformations organised by WACCI, June 24, 2021. [Panelist].
  • Workshop: PBEA-PLC Teaching and Learning Symposium organised by the Iowa State University of Science and Technology/Soyabean Innovation Lab, U.S.A: June 7 – 17, 2021. [Participant].
  • Workshop: Capacity Building in Financial Management & Procurement organised by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, GTEC, Ghana: April 26 – 29, 2021. [Participant].
  • Workshop: Entrepreneurial Skills virtual training organized by Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship: December 2020 and January 2021. [Participant].
  • Workshop: Cassava Connections Virtual Workshop: January 12, 19, 26 and February 23, 2021. [Participant].
  • Workshop: Fourth World Bank Africa Centre of Excellence for Development Impact (ACE Impact) Regional Workshop: Virtual, October 20- 27, 2020. [Participant]
  • Workshop: Third World Bank Africa Centre of Excellence for Development Impact (ACE Impact) Regional Workshop: Abuja, Nigeria, February 24 – 28 2020. [Participant]
  • Workshop: Strengthening the Maize Value Chain for Increased Productivity: Sogakope, Ghana, December 01 – 03, 2019. [Participant].
  • Workshop: Cowpea Value Chain Development in Ghana: Sogakope, Ghana, November 26 – 29, 2019. [Participant].
  • Conference: The Launch of the African Plant Breeders Association and Maiden International Conference on “Advances in Classical Breeding and Application of Modern Breeding Tools for Food and Nutrition Security in Africa”, October 23-25, 2019, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana [Member of Local Organizing Committee and Participant].
  • Workshop: Second World Bank Africa Centre of Excellence for Development Impact (ACE Impact) Regional Workshop: Dakar, Senegal, September 23-27, 2019. [Participant]
  • Workshop: Private-Public Partnerships for the Sustainable Intensification of Maize Production for the Crop’s Value Chain”: WACCI, University of Ghana, March 19, 2019. [Participant]
  • Workshop: Sustainable Intensification of Cowpea Production and Value Chain Development: WACCI, University of Ghana, March 4, 2019. [Participant]
  • Workshop: Tenth World Bank Africa Centre of Excellence (ACE) project and 1st ACE Impact project workshop: Djibouti City, Djibouti, February 19-27, 2019. [Participant]
  • Conference: WACCI International Conference on Food and Nutrition Security in Africa on “The March towards a Hunger-free Africa” Accra, Ghana, October 03 – 04, 2018 [Member of Local Organizing Committee and Participant].
  • Conference: Fourth International Cassava Conference of the Global Cassava Partnership for the 21st Century, Marina Hotel, Cotonou, Benin, June 11-15, 2018 [Participant]
  • Workshop: Agricultural-based Africa Centres of Excellence workshop on “Developing the next generation of agricultural researchers and professional in Africa: role of ACEs”, Kano, Nigeria, April 10 – 12, 2018 [Participant].
  • Workshop: African Plant Breeding Academy (AfPBA), A Continuous Professional Development Workshop on Plant Breeding organized by UC-Davis, U.S.A: ICRAF, Nairobi, Kenya, May 14 – 27, 2017; Nov 16 – Dec 09, 2017 and May 12 – 26, 2018 [Participant]
  • Workshop: Cornell Alliance for Science Advanced Course for Global Leadership Fellows, Cornell University, Ithaca, USA, October 10 – 27, 2017 [Participant].
  • Workshop: WACCI Food Security Summer Training programme for students from    Monmouth College, USA, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana. June 24 - July 8, 2017 [Instructor].
  • Conference: WACCI 10th Anniversary Celebration Launch and Symposium, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana. June 7, 2017 [Member of Local Organizing Committee and Participant].
  • Workshop: Staff Retooling workshop on Governance, People Management, Communication Skills and Project Management organized by KPMG, Accra, Ghana April 19 – 21, 2017 [Participant].
  • Workshop: Innovative Teaching and Learning, Fundraising and Gender Balance in Education workshop, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria, March 13 – 17, 2017 [Participant].
  • Workshop: Golden Gate Design for Automation DNA Assembly, Norwich, England October 27 – 28, 2016 [Participant].
  • Workshop: Crop Engineering Consortium (CEC) Workshop and Grand Challenges Annual Meeting, London England October 23 – 26, 2016 [Participant].
  • Workshop: Cornell Alliance for Science: Africa Leadership Course on Strategic Planning and Grassroots Organizing, Malaika Beach Hotel, Tanzania. April 6-13, 2016 [Participant].
  • Workshop: Fifth Africa Centres of Excellence (ACE) Project Workshop, Accra, Ghana, May 16 – 19, 2016 [Participant].
  • Workshop: Tomato Value Chain in Ghana, Accra, Ghana, June 25 –26, 2015 [Participant].
  • Workshop: Agricultural Education Front Runners in West Africa: Africa Centres of Excellence (ACEs) Learning Experience at WACCI, Erata Hotel, Accra, Ghana. August 24 - 27, 2015 [Participant].
  • Workshop: Agricultural Biotechnology and Biosafety Training Workshop, Michigan State        University, USA. August 2 -14, 2015 [Participant].
  • Workshop: International Biosafety Workshop, University of Ghana. July 28 - 30 [Instructor].
  • Workshop: Third World Bank ACE Workshop, Karaiba Beach Hotel, Banjul, the Gambia. May 11 - 14 [Participant].
  • Conference: The Second Plant Genomics Congress, St. Louis, USA. September 11-12, 2014 [Participant].
  • Workshop: Second World Bank ACE Workshop, Hilton Hotel, Yaounde, Cameroun. November 18 - 20, 2014 [Participant].
  • Workshop: World Bank ACE Formal Launch, NUC Auditorium, Abuja, Nigeria. May 20 – 21, 2014 [Participant].
  • Workshop: Validation Workshop of the Action Plan for the Establishment and Operationalization of The Alliance for Seed Industry in West Africa (ASIWA), Cotonou, Benin. April 4 - 5, 2014 [Participant].
  • Workshop: Gene Identification and Characterization of Sorghum Genetic Resources, a one week training workshop, the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement, University of Ghana. August 5 – 9, 2013 [Participant].
  • Workshop: Oral presentation at the Postgraduate Symposium, University of Nottingham, Plant and Crops Science Division, UK. 2011 [Participant].
  • Conference: Poster presentation at SOL2010 - The 7th Solanaceae Conference, Dundee, Scotland, UK. September 5-9, 2010 [Participant].
  • Conference: Oral presentation at the Postgraduate Students Awards Competition, Scottish Research Institute, SCRI (now The James Hutton Institute, JHI), Scotland, UK. 2010 [Participant].
  • Conference: Poster presented at the XXI International Congress on Sexual Plant Reproduction Bristol, UK. August 3 – 6, 2010 [Participant].
  • Workshop: Q-PCR Workshop, University of Nottingham, Plant and Crops Science Division, UK. 2010 [Participant].
  • Workshop: Poster presentation at the Postgraduate Symposium, University of Nottingham, Plant and Crops Science Division, UK. 2010 [Participant].
  • Workshop: Poster presentation at the Postgraduate Symposium, University of Nottingham, Plant and Crops Science Division, UK. 2009 [Participant].
  • Workshop:    Introduction to Quantitative Analysis. University of Nottingham, UK. 2009 [Participant].
  • Workshop: Experimentation and Computing Techniques. University of Nottingham, UK. 2008 [Participant].
  • Workshop: Marker Assisted Selection Training Workshop on the Use of Molecular Markers for Characterization of Genetic Resources conducted at the Biotechnology Centre, University of Ghana, Legon in conjunction with the Institute for Genomic Diversity Cornell University, USA and funded by Kirkhouse Trust, July 12 – 13, 2007 [Co-organizer, Participant].
  • Workshop: National Biosafety Clearing House Training Workshop, UNEP-GEF Project for Building Capacity for Effective Participation in the Biosafety Clearing House, organized by Biotechnology & Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute (BNARI), Accra Ghana. 2007 [Participant].

 

Hobbies

• Football

• Swimming

• Scrabble

• Travelling

• Cross-country driving

• Reading