Steven Runo

PARTNER

PhD: 2008 – Kenyatta University Sandwich with the University of California, DavisMSc: 2003 – Kenyatta UniversityBSc 1998 – Kenyatta University Steven Runo is an Associate Professor of Molecular Biology at Kenyatta University in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology. He is a recipient of Royal Society Africa Prize 2020.Runo has had a long-standing research in parasitic plant biology. His initial work involved using genetic engineering for crop improvement. Steven started experiments in sorghum and maize genetic transformation at Kenyatta University. He developed a high throughput maize transformation system based on transgenic hairy roots. He has continued to improve the genetic transformation technologies as well as the Striga resistance studies.Currently, his research group uses genomics, bioinformatics and RNA sequencing to identify sources of Striga resistance from cereals. His other research is on using genone-editing for Striga resistance and a tool for functional genomics in Striga-sorghum interactions.

Email: runo.steve@ku.ac.ke
Twitter: https://twitter.com/runosteven