International Journal of Biomedical Science and Research

Biography

NAME: Rasha Adam Omer Abdalla Contact: Khartoum, Sudan. Biotechnology and Biosaftey Research Center. Agricultural Research Corporation. Tel: +249990432551 Email: [email protected] PERSONAL INFORMATION NATIONALITY: Sudanese DATE OF BIRTH: 15th August 1977 GENDER: Female MARITAL STATUS: Married with two children LANGUAGE SKILLS: Fluent English and fluent Arabic EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND August 2014- July 2015: International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Biosciences in the east and central Africa. ABCF fellowship on transformation of sweet sorghum via agrobacterium. 2009-2013: Kenyatta University Attained PhD degree in plant biotechnology (Genetic Engineering) in the department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology. 2005-2007 Kenyatta University Attained Master of Science (MSc) degree in Biotechnology (in genetic engineering of Sudanese maize), School of pure and applied sciences, Biochemistry and Biotechnology Department. Khartoum University 1997-2002: BSc a First class (Honours) in Agricultural biotechnology, University of Khartoum, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Botany and Agricultural Biotechnology. WORK EXPERIENCE 2002-2003: Part-time teaching assistant, University of Khartoum, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Botany and Agricultural Biotechnology, Khartoum, Sudan. 2003-2008: Research assistant at in biotechnology laboratory at agricultural research corporation in Wad Medani, Sudan. 2008-2013 Researcher scientists at in biotechnology and biosafety research center at agricultural research corporation in Wad Medani, Sudan. 2009-2014 National coordinators for ASARECA project in Sudan (Genetic engineering of maize for drought tolerance in Eastern and Central Africa). 2014-To date Research assistant professor at in biotechnology and biosafety research center at agricultural research corporation in Khartoum, Sudan. May 2014-July2014 Acting Director of biotechnology and biosafety research center, Khartoum, Sudan. March 2018- December 2018 Deputy Director of biotechnology and biosafety research center, Khartoum, Sudan. SKILLS My skills are generally in management of research projects and teaching. Specifically, my areas of expertise and interest include: 1. Gene Isolation and cloning and vector development ? Isolation and cloning Annexinp35 gene from maize, striga and A. flavus genes. ? Development of gene constructs using restriction digestion and ligation methods for use in enhancements of abiotic stress tolerance in maize. 2. Cloning using PCR pasting and Gateway platforms ? Development of gene constructs using restriction digestion and ligation methods for use in enhancements of abiotic stress tolerance in maize. ? Development of stacked gene constructs using PCR pasting and gateway methods for use in management of aflatoxins in maize. 3. Teaching skills ? Guided graduate and undergraduate students in setting up and management of tissue culture and genetic transformation experiments during my research assistantships. ? Postgraduate demonstrator: Since 2009, I have prepared and supervised course practical sessions on tissue culture and genetic engineering for BSc and MSc graduate students. 4. Other skills ? DNA sequence manipulation: extensive experience with vector NTI ? Statistical software ? Writing and presenting reports ? Language skills: English and Arabic ? Primer design ? Sequence alignments Main project involve in: - Screening of Sudanese cotton genotypes for salinity tolerance - Anther culture of wheat - GMOs Detection - Breeding programmes in Sorghum, Maize, Wheat and Cotton. - Evaluation of Sudanese maize genotypes to drought under field condition. Capacity buildings 2004-up todate: Training technicians and scientists from Agricultural research corporation on molecular biology. JUNE 2013: Resource person and trainer at the workshop of CAPICTATE, 'hands-on' training in molecular techniques for plant breeding, including DNA extraction, PCR and analysis of different types of molecular markers. Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya. APRIL 2013: Resource person and trainer at the international workshop on ?CAPACETAT) Nairobi, Kenya. August 2018: Main organizers and trainer at the worksop on basic of molecular marker, Biotechnology and biosaftey research center ARC, Khartoum, Sudan. Responsibilities: 1. Molecular biology work. 2. Breeding programmes in Sorghum, Maize, Wheat and Cotton. 3. Preparing and supervising course work practical sessions in plant tissue culture and molecular biology techniques both for undergraduates (B.Sc) and postgraduate (M.Sc) students in the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology at Kenyatta University. 4. Part of Dr. Amos Alakonya research group from Institute of Biotechnology Research (IBR), Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and technology, Kenya. Working on the use of RNAi in the management of aflatoxin and striga in maize. Specifically, I am involved in isolation and cloning of striga genes involved in infection of maize. I am also involved in isolation and cloning of genes to enable development of aflatoxin-free transgenic maize and groundnuts. Practical sessions supervised ? Oct,2012 Fundamentals of Biotechnology (SBC220): Taught on ?Agrobacterium- mediated Transformation of tobacco with gus gene using leaf discs as explants? ? Feb, 2012 Plant Cell and Tissue culture (SBC535): Taught on ?Regeneration of plants from Tobacco leaf discs via organogenesis? ? Oct,2011 Fundamentals of Biotechnology (SBC220): Taught on ?Agrobacterium- mediated Transformation of tobacco with gus gene using leaf discs as explants? ? Nov,2010 Introduction to Biotechnology (SBC 439): Taught on ?Regeneration of Maize plants via somatic embryogenesis? ? 2009 Plant molecular Biology (SBC 322): Taught on ?Screening of tobacco plants for presence of NPTII transgene? PRACTICAL TRAINING ? Introductory course to business incubation and innovation management level 1A, 24-26th November 2020, online course. ? Training workshop on Agriculture Innovation System and Value Chain Development, 15-19th September 2014, BecA-ILRI Hub, Nairobi, Kenya. ? Capacity building training trip to University of California Davis March 2012, USA. ? Course Special topics in biosafety training: insects, vaccines and stress-tolerant plants 16?20 August 2011, Science Park, Troms

Research Interest

biotechnology