Meet Macsamuel Sesugh Ugbaa
My Skills & Experience
My Story
Who I Am
I’m an experienced professional based in Nigeria. My work is focused on crop breeding and production, agricultural biotechnology and genetics. I’m happy to apply the experience and skills I’ve obtained in my career in order to manage projects through creative problem solving and innovative thinking. I possess a strong eye for detail and can thrive independently as well as in a team environment.
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Whether you need someone for a short-term project, or a long-term collaboration, I’d love to hear from you. You’re invited to explore my work and contact me so we can discuss how we can do some great work together.
Past Experience
What I’ve Done
Day in and day out, I’m constantly taking on new and interesting projects that help me build my personal brand. From industry-related tasks to unusual and sporadic opportunities, each experience I’ve had has turned me into who I am today. Have a look at everything I’ve done, and send any questions my way.
Research Fellow. Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Plant Breeding and Seed Science, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi.
August 2011 – December, 2015.
Design, establishment and management of field trials (On-station and On-farm)
Screen house experiments
Data collection and analysis
Participated in the implementation of the following Donor funded projects
National Cowpea Trials. ABU/IAR/UAM Joint implementation of the Project. 2010 to date
Improvement of Cowpea for resistance to Striga and Alectra using Molecular tools. Funded by the Kirkhouse Trust, UK. UAM implementation of the project. 2010 to date.
Enhancing grain Legumes’ productivity, and production and the incomes of poor farmers in drought-prone areas of Sub-Saharan Africa and South-Asia. IITA-UAM Joint implementation of the project-TL-III. 2016 to 2018[.
Enhancing grain Legumes’ productivity, and production and the incomes of poor farmers in drought-prone areas of Sub-Saharan Africa and South-Asia. IITA-UAM Joint implementation of the project-TL-II. 2011 -2015
Development and deployment of Cowpea cultivars that are resistant to Striga and Alectra in the Nigeria Savanna. Funded by Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). UAM implementation of the project. 2012-2013
Researcher and Lecturer. Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi
June, 2016 to Date
Teaching Statistics, Biometrics, Genetics, Biotechnology, Crop Breeding and Molecular breeding.
Supervision of Students Research projects.
Currently participating in the implementation of the following donor funded projects
Center for Innovation in Procurement , Environmental and Social standards (CIPESS). Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi. Funded by the World Bank
Accelerated Varietal Improvement and Seed Systems in Africa (AVISA). IITA-UAM Joint implementation of the project. 2019 to date
Evaluation of Stress Tolerant Legumes (STOL). Funded by the Kirkhouse Trust, UK. UAM implementation of the Project. 2019 to date
Adjunct Research Fellow. Institute of Food Security, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi
October, 2021 to Date
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Planning, Design, implementation of activities to ensure and boost food security.
Academic Experience
Learning and Living
April, 2016 to Date
Plant Breeding and Genetics (Molecular Breeding)
Doctor of Philosophy Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue, Nigeria
June, 2010-November, 2014
Plant Breeding and Genetics (Molecular Breeding)
Master of Science. Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi
June, 2003-August, 2007
Plant Science and Technology
Bachelor of Science. University of Jos, Jos
PROFESSIONAL AND RESEARCH AFFILIATIONS
MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL BODIES
Member, Plant Breeders Association of Nigeria (PBAN). 2019
Member, Network for Biopesticide and Phytomedical Stakeholders (NEBIBS). 2019
Member Crop Science Society of Nigeria (CSSN). 2018
Member Biotechnology Society of Nigeria (BSN). 2017
Member, Genetic Society of Nigeria (GNS). 2013
Member, West Africa Cowpea
Consortium (WACC). 2011
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RESEARCH GROUPS
Biotechnology Interdesciplinary Research group, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi
Ginger Research Group, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi
Cowpea Breeding Unit, Molecular Biology Laboratory, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi
Organic Agriculture Research Group, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi
Trainings, Webinars and Workshops
Data Visualization for Everyone. Datacamp. April 2, 2021.
Application of Molecular and Bioinformatic tools in crop protection'. Department of Plant Pathology, AAU, Jorhat, Assam.March 1-3, 2021.
Strengthening the African Agricultural Research and Development towards improved Africa Food System. February 16, 2021.
From molecular genomics to phenomics and phenotyping for quantitative crop improvement with Hands on Data Analysis. JR Biotek Foundation: Reach and Teach Science in Africa, e-Lecture. February 15, 2021.
Change Management. Watsan Training and Development Center WATDEC, Online short course. February 13, 2021.
ICTforAg: Unpacking Sustainability Journeys.Feed the Future, Agrilinks Webinar. February 3, 2021.
Learning R. Linkedin Learning, Online short course. January 25, 2021
Leadership and Teamwork. Watsan Training and Development Center WATDEC, Online short course. January 17, 2021.
Project Management Foundations. Linkedin Learning, Online short course. January 17, 2021.
Genome Editing to enhance multiple disease resistance in Plants. Plant Genomia International Webinar. December 20, 2020.
Technology and the Agricultural Industry. Drone4Ag NG Professional Network webinar. December 12, 2020.
CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing and Virus Induced Gene Silencing in plants. JR Biotek Foundation, Reach and Teach Science in Africa Training Series. November 13, 2020.
Microsoft Excel for Project Management. Udemy. November 3 – November 9, 2020.
Facilitating Online. Distance Learning, University of Cape Town. September 7 – November 8, 2020.
Take your teaching online. Open Learn, The Open University. September 2 – November 2, 2020.
Environmental and Social Framework - ESF Fundamentals. World Bank Group. The Open Learning Campus. October 30 – October 31, 2020
Agriculture 4.0: Precision and AutomatedAgricultural Technologies. Centre for Advanced Agricultural Science and Technology for Climate Smart Agriculture and Water Management (CAAST-CSAWM), Maharashtra, India. September 28 – October 2, 2020.
Genomic Selection in Crop Plants. Plant Genomia International Webinar. October 24, 2020.
Current and Emerging Threats to Crops: Building the Knowledge Base. Feed the Future, Agrilinks Webinar. October 21, 2020.
The Role of Cold Chain in Food Safety and Innovations in Seed Systems.Feed the Future, Agrilinks Webinar. September 30, 2020.
Planting New Seeds: Innovations in Global Seed Systems. Feed the Future, Agrilinks Webinar. September 23, 2020.
Molecular Breeding and Hands-on Data Analysis. JR Biotek Foundation, Reach and Teach Science in Africa Training Series. August 20-24, 2020.
Protein Purification: Principles, Methods and Applications. JR Biotek Foundation, Reach and Teach Science in Africa Training Series. August 14, 2020.
The Fundamental Principles, Techniques and Applications of Moleclar Biology. JR Biotek Foundation, Reach and Teach Science in Africa Training Series. July 25, 2020.
Understanding Plant Viruses - Infection, Transmission and Detection. JR Biotek Foundation, Reach and Teach Science in Africa Training Series. July 4, 2020
Operating Models for Early Generation Seed Production: 10 Case Studies. Feed the Future, Agrilinks Webinar. June 24, 2020.
Supporting the Management of Fall Armyworm in Africa and Asia: Best Practices and Lessons Learned. Feed the Future, Agrilinks Webinar. June 20, 2020.
Principles of High Throughput Sequencing. JR Biotek Foundation, Reach and Teach Science in Africa Training Series. June 20, 2020.
The Article Publishing Process: An Elsevier Author Workshop. June 2, 2020.
The Book Publishing Process: An Elsevier Author Workshop. June 3, 2020.
West Africa Cowpea Consortium. Yearly training on Biometrics and Conventional and Molecular breeding. 2011-2018
Research Fellowship. Bioinformatics and Molecular techniques in Plant breeding. University of Virginia, USA. Jan-Apr 2012.
Molecular Laboratory and Bioinformatics Training. University of Cambridge, UK. 27 March- 3 April 2017
Responsibilities
Consultant Agronomist. RIMMA ORGANIC GINGER at RIMMA MASTERS LTD.
Co-Principal Investigator on Donor funded Projects (General agronomy and crop breeding) at the Molecular Biology Lab, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi. 2020 to date
Core Project team Member (Exam office-Environmental Standards, Data management team, ICT Cluster), Center fr Innovatin in Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi. 2019 to date
Campus Coordinator. Biotechnology Interdisciplinary Research Group,Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi. 2019 to date
Nigeria Country Coordinator, JR Biotek Foundation USA. 2017 to dat
"Believe you can and you're halfway there"
Theodore Roosevelt
SKILLS
Project Management
Intermediate
Have participated in implementation of several donor projects from 2010 to date
Leadership
Advanced
Visionary, creative, think-out-of-the-box, understand cause and effect and lead from the front
Facilitating Online
Intermediate
Facilitation of webinars, courses and workshops online
English Language fluency
Advanced
Fluent in written and spoken English
Data Analysis
Intermediate
SPSS, Minitab, Genstat, R
Computer Literacy
Advanced
Microsoft word, powerpoint and Excel
Research
Advanced
Analytical, Innovative, Team player
PUBLICATIONS
Journal publications
Ugbaa Macsamuel Sesugh, Olasan Joseph Olalekan, Aguoru Celestine Uzoma, Benjamin Edoka Paul and Ejembi Shedrach Odega (2021). Effect of Decayed Leaf Litters of Moringa Olifera, Terminalia catappa and Terminalia mentally on Growth and Yield Parameters of Three Cowpea Varieties. Agricultural and Biological Sciences Journal. Agricultural and Biological Sciences Journal, 7(3): 96-105
Olasan Olalekan Joseph, Celestine Uzoma Aguoru, Ugbaa Macsamuel Sesugh, Ije Lilian and Abama Amos Joshua. (2021). Effects of Animal Dung (Cattle, Goat and Poultry) on the Growth and Flowering of Three Selected Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp] Varieties. International Journal of Plant Science and Ecology. 7(3):40-47
M.S. Ugbaa, G.C. Ekeuro, J.O. Ezugwu, T. Kaanjo and L.O. Omoigui (2021). Optimisation of CTAB and FTA Protocols for Tomato Plant DNA Extraction and Amplification Using SSR. Agricultural and Biological Sciences Journal. 7(3):72-77.
M.S. Ugbaa, L.O. Omoigui, B.S. Gowda and M.P. Timko. (2021). SSR Markers Associated with Alectra vogelii Resistance Gene in Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp]. World Researchers Association-Research Journal of Biotechnology. 16(9): 94-101.
Kaanjo T., Iheukwumere C. C., Omoigui L. O., Olasan J. O. and Ugbaa M.S. (2021). Characterization of Some Selected Tomato (Solanum lycorpersicum L) Accessions Using Simple Sequence Repeat Markers. American Institute of Science- Agricultural and Biological Sciences Journal. 7(2): 46-50.
Omoigui L. O., Ugbaa M. S., Ekeuro G. C., Iyorkaa, N. and Ojecho, S. (2021). Evaluation of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) Genotypes for variation in root length mass. World Researchers Association-International Journal of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine. 9(1): 1-6.
Dughdugh P., Omoigui L.O., Ugbaa M.S., Olasan J. O., Danmiagona C. and Adedzwa K. D. (2021). Genetic Polymorphism Among Groundnut Genotypes Using Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) Markers. American Institute of Science-Agricultural and Biological Sciences Journal. 7(1): 1-6
Iyorkaa, N., Ugbaa, M.S., Ekeuro, G.C., Odo, P.E. and Omoigui, L.O. (2020). Effects of Inter-row spacing on Growth, Seed Yield and Yield components of Soybean (Glycine max) in Makurdi, Benue State-Nigeria. World Researchers Association- International Journal of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine. 9(2): 18-24
Olasan J. Olalekan, Aguoru Celestine Uzoma, Omoigui O. Lucky, Ekeruo C. Godspower, Ugbaa S. Macsamuel (2020). Molecular Genetic Studies and QTL Mapping for Aflatoxin Resistance in Selected Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Breeding Lines. American Institute of Science-Agricultural and Biological Sciences Journal. 6(4): 202-210.
Ugbaa M.S., Ekeuro G.C., Iyorkaa N. and Omoigui L.O. (2020). Evaluation of two Yield estimation methods in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) in Makurdi, Benue state, Nigeria. World Researchers Association-International Journal of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine. 8(4): 25-28.
Ugbaa M, Omoigui L, Bello L. (2020). Phenotypic screening of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) genotypes in response to parasitic weed Alectra vogelii. Asian Journal of Agriculture, 4: 14-17.
Alfred, U. J., Iheukumere, C. C., Aguoru, C. U., Olasan, O. J., and Ugbaa, M.S. (2019). Diversity Analysis of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] lam) Accessions from North Central Nigeria Using Morphological and Simple Sequence Repeats Markers. Asian Journal of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, 2(2): 1-15.
Yakubu, D., Bawa, I. and Ugbaa, M.S. (2019). Molecular Characterization of Plectranthus esculenthus and Plectranthus rotundifolius using Simple Sequence Repeats. International Journal of Modern Science and Technology. 4(6): 152-160.
T.M. Igyuve, G.O.S. Ojo, A.E. Ochigbo and M.S. Ugbaa (2018). Fall Army Worm (Spodoptera frugiperda); Farmers Nightmare in Maize Production. Nigerian journal of Crop Science. 5(1): 70-79
Liamngee, M.S., Shaahu, D.T., Okwoli, A.A., Ugbaa, M.S. (2016). Mutagenic Action of Sodium Azide on Phytic Acid and Cooking Time in the First Mutant Generation M1 of Mangu Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). IOSR Journal of Biotechnology and Biochemistry. 2(6): 28-34.
Conference Papers
Iorkyaa, A.C., T.Vange, N. Iyorkaa, M.S. Ugbaa, and L. A Ihyembe. (2017). Genetic variability of some reproductive traits and their Correlation with grain yield in some selected cowpea varieties. Proceedings of the 41st annual conference of the Genetics Society of Nigeria. Vange, T. and Ugbaa, M.S. (eds.) October 15-19, 2017. Makurdi, Nigeria. Pp. 594-600.
Ugbaa, M. S., Liamngee, S. and Amagu, K. T. (2017). Character Association and Path Analysis of Sweet Potato (Ipomea batatas (L.) LAM). Proceedings of the 41st annual conference of the Genetics Society of Nigeria. Vange, T. and Ugbaa, M.S. (eds.). October 15-19, 2017. Makurdi, Nigeria. Pp. 466-473.
Olalekan J. Olasan, Celestine U. Aguoru, Macsamuel S. Ugbaa and Ebenezer J. Ekefan (2017). Physiological Characterization of Groundnut Seedlings using Vigour and Performance indices. Proceedings of the 41st annual conference of the Genetics Society of Nigeria. Vange, T. and Ugbaa, M.S. (eds.). October 15-19, 2017. Makurdi, Nigeria. Pp. 84-91.
G. C. Ekeuro, L. O. Omoigui, L. L. Bello, M. P. Timko, G. O. Ogunwolu, C.C. Danmaigona, M.S Ugbaa, N. Iyorkaa. (2017). Identifying new Sources of Aphids [Aphis Craccivora (Koch)] Resistance in Cowpea Germplasm using Phenotypic and Molecular Marker Approaches. Proceedings of the 41st annual conference of the Genetics Society of Nigeria. Vange, T. and Ugbaa, M.S. (eds.). October 15-19, 2017. Makurdi, Nigeria. Pp. 258-268.
Posters
Omoigui, L.O., Bello, L.L., Ugbaa, M.S., A.Y. Kamara and Timko, M.P. Identification of molecular markers linked to resistance of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) to parasitism by Alectra vogelii. Poster Session presented at the Pan-African Grain Legume and World Cowpea Conference. 27 February – 4 March 2016, International year of Pulses. Livingstone, Zambia.
Omoigui, L.O., Ugbaa, M.S., Bello, L.L., Gowda, B.S., Timko, M.P. and Motagi, B.N. (2015). SSR Markers Linked with Alectra vogelii Resistance in Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp]. 5th International Conference on Next Generation Genomics and Integrated Breeding for Crop Improvement, At ICRISAT, Patancheru, India, Volume: I.
L.O. Omoigui, M.S. Ugbaa, L.L. Bello, B. S. Gwoda and M.P. Timko. (2013, November). Identification of Molecular Markers Linked to Alectra Resistance Gene in Cowpea. Poster Session presented at the International annual meetings of ASA, CSSA and SSSA Tampa, Florida.
Conference Abstracts
L.O. Omoigui, M.S. Ugbaa, N. Iyorkaa, G.C. Ekerue, A.K. Kamara and F.A. Akubo. (2016). Effects of Cowpea cultivar and Population density on Yield and yield components of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.). Book of Abstracts. 40th annual conference of the Genetics Society of Nigeria. Vange, T. and Ugbaa, M.S. (eds.). October 30- November 2nd, 2016. Makurdi, Nigeria. PP 52.
Awards and Honours
Award for 2nd Best Bioinovative idea. NextGen Bioinovative Pitching competition at the Africa Diaspora Biotech Summit, University of Cambridge. 2017.
JR-Biotek USA/BBSRC Global Challenge Fund, University of Cambridge. Scholarship award for Molecular Laboratory Training course at University of Cambridge. 2017
Kirkhouse Trust SCIO, UK. Travel Grant Award for training course at University of Cambridge. 2017.
Kirkhouse Trust SCIO, UK. Full Scholarship Award for PhD Study. 2016.
Kirkhouse Trust SCIO , UK. Research Fellowship Award, Molecular techniques in Plant breeding. University of Virginia, USA. 2012.
Kirkhouse Trust SCIO, UK. Scholarship Award to carry out MSc Thesis Research. 2011
REFEREES
Professor O. A. T. Namo (World Champion 2019-Crop Science)
Plant Breeder and Geneticist
Department of Plant Sc. and Technology
University of Jos,
Nigeria.
+234 (0) 8036424915
Professor L. L. Bello
Plant Breeder and Biometrician
Department of Plant Breeding and Seed Science,
Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi,
Nigeria.
+234 (0) 8033647549
Professor L. O. Omoigui
Plant Breeder and Molecular Geneticist
Department of Plant Breeding and Seed Science,
Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi,
Nigeria.
Seed Systems Specialist
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (iita.org)
IITA Kano Station Nigeria & West Africa Hub
Sabo Bakin Zuwo Road, Kano, Kano State, Nigeria
Tel: +234 8032942672/ +234 9026787042