Plant Scientist at Maseno University, Kenya
Dr. Samuel Kilonzo Mutiga is an accomplished plant scientist, educator, and research consultant with over 15 years of experience in plant pathology, plant breeding, and agricultural research systems across Africa. He currently serves as a Consultant Plant Scientist at CIMMYT and a Lecturer at Maseno University, Kenya. His contributions span aflatoxin mitigation, disease resistance breeding, genetic gain analysis, and breeding program optimization. Dr. Mutiga has led multi-country collaborative projects focused on food security and resilience, mentored emerging scientists, and contributed significantly to mycotoxin research and sustainable agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa. His research outcomes have been published in top-tier journals and have guided agricultural development policies and practices across the region.
Professional Profile
Education
Dr. Mutiga earned his Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from Cornell University in 2014, with a focus on breeding for disease resistance and understanding the genetic and environmental basis of mycotoxin contamination. He holds a Master of Philosophy in Plant Protection (2008) and a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture (2004), both from Moi University, Kenya. His academic journey equipped him with expertise in molecular biology, quantitative genetics, biometry, and plant-microbe interactions, all foundational to his later success in applied agricultural research. His strong educational background is complemented by extensive laboratory and field experience, ensuring a holistic and multidisciplinary approach to solving plant health challenges.
Professional Experience
Dr. Mutiga has served in diverse and impactful roles, including Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Arkansas, Visiting Scientist at ILRI, and Research Assistant at Cornell. At CIMMYT, he supports national breeding programs across Africa in costing breeding operations and analyzing genetic gain, publishing impactful studies in this area. At ILRI, he led the CAAREA project, establishing a mycotoxin lab that continues to serve regional research. His leadership in the BBSRC-funded rice blast resistance project involved scientists from nine African countries. In his roles, he has engaged with international networks, facilitated seed-sharing under phytosanitary frameworks, and trained numerous extension agents and junior scientists.
Research Interests
Dr. Mutiga’s research interests are centered on developing resilient crop varieties, understanding plant-pathogen interactions, and enhancing agricultural productivity in dryland systems. He is deeply invested in mycotoxin research, disease resistance breeding (especially for maize and rice), and integrating modern tools like PCR, GBS, GIS, and high-throughput phenotyping into breeding pipelines. He seeks to improve the performance and sustainability of African farming systems under climate stress. His commitment extends to bridging science with policy and practice, ensuring that research outputs are applicable to farmers, breeders, and food safety stakeholders.
Research Skills
Dr. Mutiga possesses a powerful skillset that includes molecular diagnostics, mycology, microscopy, bioinformatics, and analytical chemistry techniques like ELISA, UPLC, and NIRS. He is proficient in experimental design, data analysis (SAS, R, JMP Pro), and plant breeding cost modeling. He has developed field protocols, managed biobanks, created online data repositories, and trained stakeholders across all levels. He is also skilled in resource mobilization, proposal development, and science communication, making him effective in both research and leadership roles. His ability to translate scientific findings into practical interventions is one of his strongest assets.
Awards & Honors
Dr. Mutiga’s work has earned him numerous awards, including the Global Hunger Alleviation Award from the First Presbyterian Church of Ithaca in 2011 and the prestigious Leadership Enhancement in Agriculture Award from the Norman Borlaug Foundation in 2012. He also led projects that secured major international funding, such as a $2.5 million grant from DFAT-Australia (CAAREA Project) and £1.5 million from BBSRC-UK for rice blast resistance research. These honors reflect his impact in science-driven development, food safety, and capacity building. His leadership continues to inspire early-career scientists across Africa.
Conclusion
Dr. Samuel Kilonzo Mutiga is an exemplary candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His academic rigor, international collaborations, impactful research on plant pathology and breeding, and commitment to African agriculture make him a model scientist. He has demonstrated innovation, leadership, and a strong drive to solve real-world agricultural challenges, particularly those affecting food security and sustainability in sub-Saharan Africa. Recognizing his contributions with this award would not only honor his work but also inspire a new generation of plant scientists.
Publications Top Noted
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Assessment of aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination of maize in western Kenya
– SK Mutiga et al. – Phytopathology – 2015 – 📑 159 citations
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Extent and drivers of mycotoxin contamination: Inferences from a survey of Kenyan maize mills
– SK Mutiga et al. – Phytopathology – 2014 – 📑 128 citations
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Multi-spectral kernel sorting to reduce aflatoxins and fumonisins in Kenyan maize
– MJ Stasiewicz, SK Mutiga et al. – Food Control – 2017 – 📑 91 citations
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Assessment of aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination and associated risk factors in feed and feed ingredients in Rwanda
– K Nishimwe, S Mutiga et al. – Toxins – 2019 – 📑 65 citations
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Examining environmental drivers of spatial variability in aflatoxin accumulation in Kenyan maize
– LE Smith, S Mutiga et al. – AJFAND – 2016 – 📑 49 citations
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Enhancing food safety through adoption of long-term technical advisory, financial, and storage support services
– SK Mutiga et al. – Sustainability – 2019 – 📑 42 citations
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Association between agronomic traits and aflatoxin accumulation in diverse maize lines
– SK Mutiga et al. – Field Crops Research – 2017 – 📑 40 citations
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Observability of food safety losses in maize: Evidence from Kenya
– V Hoffmann, SK Mutiga et al. – Food Policy – 2021 – 📑 37 citations
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Assessment of the virulence spectrum and genetic diversity in Magnaporthe oryzae
– SK Mutiga et al. – Phytopathology – 2017 – 📑 37 citations
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Integrated strategies for durable rice blast resistance in sub-Saharan Africa
– SK Mutiga et al. – Plant Disease – 2021 – 📑 34 citations
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Assessment of fungal contamination in fish feed from the Lake Victoria Basin, Uganda
– VT Namulawa, S Mutiga et al. – Toxins – 2020 – 📑 31 citations
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Genetic profiling of Aspergillus isolates with varying aflatoxin production
– R Dooso Oloo, S Mutiga et al. – Toxins – 2019 – 📑 31 citations
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Effects of companion cropping and nitrogen on collards pest infestation
– SK Mutiga et al. – Entomol. Exp. Appl. – 2010 – 📑 29 citations
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Aflatoxin contamination of maize in Kenya: Observability and mitigation behavior
– V Hoffmann, S Mutiga et al. – 2013 – 📑 25 citations
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Multiple mycotoxins in Kenyan rice
– SK Mutiga et al. – Toxins – 2021 – 📑 22 citations
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Genetic analysis of African rice cultivars for blast resistance
– EM Mgonja, S Mutiga et al. – Phytopathology – 2017 – 📑 22 citations
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Status and epidemiology of maize lethal necrosis in Tanzania
– FH Kiruwa, S Mutiga et al. – Pathogens – 2019 – 📑 19 citations
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Foliar diseases and associated fungi in rice cultivated in Kenya
– EM Nganga, S Mutiga et al. – Plants – 2022 – 📑 18 citations
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Screening of Ethiopian durum wheat for aluminum tolerance
– EF Wayima, S Mutiga et al. – Agronomy – 2019 – 📑 18 citations
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A Market for lemons: Maize in Kenya
– V Hoffmann, S Mutiga et al. – Univ. of Maryland – 2013 – 📑 17 citations