Rudo Musango | Agricultural Science and Innovation | Best Researcher Award

Rudo Musango | Agricultural Science and Innovation | Best Researcher Award

Mrs Rudo Musango, Haramaya Univesity, Zimbabwe

Rudo Musango is a PhD candidate at Haramaya University’s Africa Center of Excellence for Climate Smart Agriculture and Biodiversity Conservation 🌍, funded by the World Bank. Her research explores the “Host-parasite relationship of Yellow witchweed and its integrated management in Bambara groundnut” 🌱. She previously worked as a Senior Research Officer at Zimbabwe’s Genetic Resources and Biotechnology Institute, focusing on plant genetic diversity and community-based conservation 🌾. Rudo holds an MSc in Biosafety in Plant Biotechnology 🧬 and a BSc in Horticulture 🌸. She has 7 publications πŸ“š, is skilled in data analysis using R πŸ“Š, and a member of OWSD.

Publication Profile

Orcid

Academic QualificationsΒ 

Mrs. Rudo Musango is a dedicated professional with a Master’s in Biosafety in Plant Biotechnology 🌱, focusing on GMO risk assessment in various cultivation conditions 🌾, supported by a fellowship from the Italian Environment Minister and UNIDO 🌍. She holds a BSc Agriculture Honours in Horticulture 🌸, developing skills in teamwork, problem-solving, and communication through projects and presentations πŸ“Š. Her Higher National Diploma in Horticulture πŸŽ“ included studies in post-harvest technology, crop protection, and agri-business 🚜. Additionally, she earned an Executive Certificate in Program and Project Monitoring and Evaluation πŸ“‘, gaining expertise in data analysis, research evaluation, and reporting ✍️.

ExperiencesΒ Β 

Mrs. Rudo Musango is a PhD candidate at the Africa Center of Excellence for Climate Smart Agriculture and Biodiversity Conservation (CSABC), Haramaya University, Ethiopia, funded by the World Bank πŸŒπŸ“š. Her coursework includes climate-smart agriculture, biodiversity management, ecosystem services, crop resiliency, and advanced biostatistics πŸŒ±πŸ“Š. With seven publications, her research focuses on the host-parasite relationship of Yellow witchweed and its management in Bambara groundnut in Zimbabwe πŸŒΎπŸ”¬. Previously, she was a Senior Research Officer at the Genetic Resource and Biotechnology Institute, leading germplasm studies, eco-geographic surveys, and genetic diversity research while collaborating with communities, NGOs, and government bodies πŸ€πŸ“‘.

Global Engagement

Mrs. Rudo Musango is a dedicated researcher with a passion for advancing sustainable development. 🌱✨ Her membership in the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) underscores her commitment to empowering women in science globally. πŸŒπŸ‘©β€πŸ”¬ She has completed specialized international courses on climate adaptation and digital agriculture, equipping her with advanced knowledge to address pressing global challenges. 🌦️🌾 Through her efforts, she strives to foster innovative solutions and impactful research that contribute to climate resilience and sustainable agricultural practices. πŸŒŽπŸ“Š Mrs. Musango’s dedication exemplifies her role as a changemaker in science and sustainability. πŸ’‘πŸŒŸ

Research Focus

Rudo Musango’s research focuses on sustainable agriculture, specifically improving Bambara groundnut production through innovative methods. Her studies investigate the interactions between Bambara groundnut genotypes, phosphorus fertilizer rates, and the parasitic weed Alectra vogelii. By examining phenology, yield components, and grain yield, her work aims to enhance crop resilience and productivity in nutrient-deficient soils. This research contributes to food security and sustainable farming practices, particularly in semi-arid regions. Her collaborative efforts emphasize ecological solutions for managing agricultural challenges. πŸŒ±πŸ“ŠπŸŒΎβœ¨πŸ”¬

Publication Top Notes

Influence of Alectra vogelii inoculation and phosphorus fertilizer application on phenology, yield components and grain yield of bambara groundnut genotypes

Tomas Penka | Agricultural Science and Innovation | Best Researcher Award

Tomas Penka | Agricultural Science and Innovation | Best Researcher Award

Mr Tomas Penka, Fakulta rybarstvi a ochrany vod Jihoceske univerzity v Ceskych Budejovicich, Czech Republic

Tomas Penka is an accomplished ecologist and PhD student at the Faculty of Fisheries and Water Protection in Vodnany, specializing in modern methods of fish breeding and biology πŸŸπŸ”¬. He holds an MSc in Biology of the Ecosystem with a specialization in Ecology and a BSc in Biology from the University of South Bohemia πŸŒΏπŸŽ“. Since 2020, he has worked as a biological specialist, contributing to scientific research and projects πŸŒπŸ“š. His research has led to multiple publications in prestigious journals, focusing on the growth, survival, and health of pikeperch and other species πŸ“–βœ¨.

Publication profile

Scopus

Education

Tomas Penka completed his MSc. in Biology of the Ecosystem with a specialization in Ecology at the University of South Bohemia in ČeskΓ© BudΔ›jovice, Faculty of Science, from 2018 to 2021. Before that, he earned his BSc. in Biology from the same university from 2015 to 2018. With a strong foundation in ecological studies, Tomas is dedicated to understanding and preserving ecosystems. πŸŒΏπŸŒ±πŸ“šπŸ§¬ His academic journey reflects his passion for the natural world and commitment to environmental science, preparing him for a promising career in ecology and conservation. πŸŒπŸ”¬βœ¨

Experience

As a dedicated PhD student at the Faculty of Fisheries and Water Protection in Vodnany since September 2021, I specialize in modern methods of intensive breeding, reproduction, and biology of fish 🐟. Since October 2020, I have also served as a Biological Specialist, collaborating on scientific research projects, including NAZV, OP Fisheries, Eureka, Interreg, and H2020 πŸŒπŸ”¬. Previously, I worked at the Biological Center of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic from May 2016 to May 2020 as a Laboratory Technician, where I processed biological material and introduced new lab methods such as radiotracking πŸŒ³πŸ”¬.

Research project

From February 2024 to January 2025, Her served as the responsible researcher for a project funded by the Grant Agency of the University of South Bohemia in ČeskΓ© BudΔ›jovice (GAJU). The project, 032/2023/T, focused on innovative methods for acquiring and utilizing separated sludge waste from intensive aquaculture, aiming for sustainable nutrient use in agriculture. Previously, from February 2022 to January 2023, I led another GAJU-supported project, 028/2022/T, which optimized the application of pelleted feeds with higher vitamin C content in the intensive aquaculture of pike perch (Sander lucioperca). πŸŸπŸŒ±πŸ’§πŸ“Š

Research focus

Tomas Penka’s research focuses on optimizing aquaculture practices, particularly for species like pikeperch and northern pike. His studies investigate various aspects, including the effects of bicultural stocking, live feed enrichments, and the use of lactic acid bacteria to enhance fish growth, health, and microbiome diversity. Additionally, he explores the impacts of different weaning times, light regimes, stocking densities, and dietary supplements on fish development and survival. Penka’s work aims to improve sustainable aquaculture systems and fish welfare through innovative techniques and detailed biochemical and genetic analyses. πŸŸπŸ”¬πŸŒΏπŸ“Š

Publication top notes

Practical application of bicultural stocking and its effects on fish growth, blood biochemistry, and solid waste elimination in recirculating aquaculture system

Live feed enrichments using microalgae for pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) larval culture

Pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) larval rearing optimization: utilization of lactic acid bacteria for improving microbiome diversity and digestive enzyme activity

Effects of weaning time, light regime, and stocking density on growth, condition, survival, and cannibalism rates in northern pike (Esox lucius L.) larvae and early juveniles under intensive culture

Effects of yeast hydrolysate supplementation in low-fish meal diets for pikeperch

The efficacy of male’s nest preparation and its effect on female’s partner selection during semi-controlled reproduction in pikeperch (Sander lucioperca)

Evaluation of different feeding frequencies in RAS-based juvenile pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) aquaculture

Fine ultrastructural features of germ cells and spermatozoa during spermatogenesis in the European grayling, Thymallus thymallus (Teleostei, Salmoniformes, Salmonidae)

Partial replacement of fish meal by soybean meal supplemented with inulin and oligofructose in the diet of pikeperch (Sander lucioperca): Effect on growth and health status

Effects of First Feeding Regime on Gene Expression and Enzyme Activity in Pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) Larvae