Kennedy Odokonyero, Ph.D.

Research Scientists

Research scientist

Social Profile:

Research Interests

Plant biology/ecology; plant-Microbial interaction; Molecular biology; Plant biochemistry and physiology; Soil Health and irrigation management in Arid land Agriculture; Material engineering for soil water conservation (Eco-friendly mulches and soil amendment technologies). 

Selected Publications

  • Effect of Endophyte association with Brachiaria Species on Shoot and Root Morpho-physiological Responses under Drought stress. Odokonyero Kennedy, Tina Botwright Acuña, Juan Andrés Cardoso, Juan de la Cruz Jimenéz, and Idupulapati Madhusudana Rao. Journal of Plant Biochemistry & Physiology 5: 190. (2017a)
  • Potential role of Fungal Endophytes in Biological Nitrification Inhibition in Brachiaria Grass Species. Odokonyero Kennedy, Tina Botwright Acuña, Juan Andrés Cardoso, Juan de la Cruz Jimenéz, Idupulapati Madhusudana Rao, Jonathan Nuñez, and Jacobo Arango. Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Physiology 5: 191. (2017b). 
  • Fungal Endophyte Association with Brachiaria grasses and its Influence on Plant water status, Total Non-structural Carbohydrates, and Biomass Production under Drought stress. Odokonyero Kennedy, Tina Botwright Acuña, Juan Andrés Cardoso, Juan de la Cruz Jimenéz, and Idupulapati Madhusudana Rao. Plant and Soil 409: 273–282. (2016)
  • Climate-smart Brachiaria for Improving Livestock Production in East Africa: Emerging opportunities. In: Vijay D. et al (eds.) Sustainable use of grassland resources for forage production, biodiversity, and environmental protection. Ghimire SR, Njarui D, Mutimura M, Cardoso J, Johnson J, Gichangi E, Teasdale S, Odokonyero K, Caradus J, Rao I, Djikeng A. Proceedings of 23rd International Grassland Congress, pp 361-370 (2015)




Education

  • Ph.D., Agricultural Science and Graduate Certificate in Research, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia, 2017
  • MSc., Agro-Environmental Management, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
  • BSc. Education (Biology), Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda 

Professional Profile

  • 2023- Present: Research scientist, KAUST, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
  • 2018-2023: Postdoctoral fellow, KAUST, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
  • 2016-2017: Visiting research fellow, Biosciences eastern and central Africa-International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub, Nairobi (Kenya)
  • 2013-2017: Ph.D. fellow, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
  • 2013 -2016: Ph.D. research fellow, International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Cali-Palmira (Colombia)
  • 2011-2013: MSc. Project, Danish Center for Food and Agriculture (DCA), Aarhus University, Tjele, Denmark
  • 2008-2011: Biology teacher and Head of Department, Angelo Negri College, Gulu, Uganda
  • 2005-2008: Biology/Chemistry Teacher; Trinity College Gulu & Northland High School, Gulu, Uganda






Scientific and Professional Membership

  • Australian Agronomy Society (https://www.agronomyaustralia.org/) 
  • Future Africa Forum (https://futureafricaforum.org/) 
  • MeetMentors (https://www.meetmentors.org/) 

KAUST Affiliations

  • Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC)
  • Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE)​​

Research Interests Keywords

Plant biology/ecology Plant microbial interaction Material engineering Soil science Irrigation management