Bonny Oloka

Bio

Dr. Bonny Oloka is a Research Scholar at North Carolina State University. He holds a Ph.D. in Horticultural Science (Plant Breeding and Genetics) from NC State University, a Master of Science in Plant Breeding and Seed Systems, and a Bachelor of Science (Biochemistry and Chemistry) from Makerere University, Kampala. Previously, Dr. Oloka worked as a Senior Research Scientist in National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), Uganda, where – in collaboration with the International Potato Center and NC State University, he managed a number of projects on sweetpotato and cassava seed systems linking consumers and farmers to nutritionally enhanced, high yielding varieties. His research focuses on crop improvement using a combination of traditional and advanced plant genetics and breeding approaches. Dr. Oloka’s duties include: coordinating and conducting genomic-assisted potato and sweetpotato breeding activities; working collaboratively with local (NC), regional (USA) and global (particularly sub-Saharan Africa) team members to design and execute conventional and advanced breeding experiments using modern tools; assisting with the development of an electronic data capture and database system to facilitate potato and sweetpotato improvement; collaborating with ongoing cultural management studies; and, collaborating with food/nutrition and other scientists in NC, USA and Africa.