Dr. Calleb Olweny Ochia is a plant breeder with 24 years’ experience in the field of Plant breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology. He holds a doctorate degree in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology from Makerere University, a Master of Science degree in Plant Breeding and Genetics from the University of Nairobi and Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from Egerton University. Calleb started his career as a Research Assistant with Kenya Sugar Authority, later transitioned to Kenya Sugar Research Foundation as a Research Scientist and rose to become a Senior Research Scientist with Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization-Sugar Research Institute. Dr. Olweny worked in the sugar industry sector for 16 years. While serving in the sugar industry, Calleb undertook agricultural research in sugarcane and related crops aimed at improving productivity and competitiveness of the sub sector. As a staff of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), Calleb has served as Dean School of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Chairman of Department of Plant, Animal and Food Sciences, Coordinator of Training and Mentorship and currently he is the Coordinator, Centre for Environment, Agriculture and Food Security. Dr. Olweny is a member of Africa Professionals in Genome Editing for Sustainable Agriculture. He serves as a reviewer of Journals of Agriculture and Science. He has supervised several graduate students and authored several papers in refereed journals.

Specific areas of expertise: Genetic trait design and analysis, natural resources management and biodiversity conservation, plant breeding and biotechnology, and seed systems.

Current research projects, and future research goals: Genetic improvement of quinoa lines, Quatitative Trait Loci analysis in maize inbred lines and Evaluating Potential of Sugar related crops to improve competitiveness of the sugar subsector.

Future research goal: To develop crop varieties that are resilient to environmental shocks

Awards and Honors:Bill and Melinda gates Foundation award and Vlir-UOS on improving agrifood systems in Western Kenya

Teaching Experience: Plant breeding, Molecular Plant Breeding, Molecular Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Biodiversity and Agricultural Biotechnology, Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Utilization, IPR, Biosafety, and Bioethics. I have also  mentored several post graduate students in crop and animal-related research