Biography:
I am a second year PhD student at the University of Minnesota. Before pursuing my studies at the University of Minnesota, I worked as an agricultural scientist with the Provincial Department of Agriculture in Bloemfontein, South Africa, developing farming information packages and distributing them to extension officers and farmers. Upon completion of my studies here, I'll have a research position with the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) in South Africa. At ARC, part of my responsibility will be to apply the cutting edge science of molecular genetics for the improvement of cereal crops.

I received a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of the North, now called University of Limpopo - South Africa, and Masters of Science degree from the University of Minnesota.

Research Focus:
I conduct research in various areas of wheat breeding and genetics. The major emphasis of my project is to develop and identify molecular markers (short DNA sequences) that would be used to identify the number and location of genes controlling wheat grain quality and disease resistance. Part of the results of this project is already in use by wheat breeders, who effectively develop wheat varieties that have acceptable grain yield, quality, and resistance to diseases, through marker-assisted selection. The ultimate goal of this research is not only to benefit breeders, but also to benefit farmers to be able to meet food demand by growing highly improved varieties while putting less costs on production.