AFRICA-JAPAN COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH (“AJ-CORE”) PROJECT
Dr. Stephen KAMAU
Principal Investigator (Catholic University of
Eastern Africa, KENYA)
AFRICA-JAPAN COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH (“AJ-CORE”) PROJECT
Objectives of the Project:
To understand how drought stress jointly influences plant signaling molecules and plant-associated microbial communities.
To identify the joint effects of drought-mediated selection on phenotypic components of the plant-microbe holobiont.
To quantify how microbially-mediated stress-resistance phenotypes promote crop climate resilience.
To develop methods for the design and application of beneficial microbes in soybeans.
Project Duration: 3 years (2024 to 2026)
Dr. Stephen Kamau, a molecular biologist specializing in plant biochemistry and physiology, applies his expertise to advance fundamental knowledge in plant science. His primary focus lies in identifying quality traits in forage crops to mitigate the negative environmental impact of ruminants. With a robust background, he contributes significantly to research areas including plant-microbe interactions, photosynthesis, carbon metabolism, antioxidant systems, enzymology, microbiology, and plant stress responses, including mechanisms leading to cell death. Currently, he is intrigued by exploring how stress memory in plants influences resilience in an ever-changing environment.
