LK

Leonard Kiirika, PhD

Also known as: Leo

Institute of Plant Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Okayama University

Research areas: Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Plant Science · Plant-Microbe Interactions and Immunity · Plant Pathogenic Bacteria Studies · Plant Disease Management Techniques

ORCID iD 0000-0002-6086-4746
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About

Leonard Kiirika's experience stems from mere serving subsistence farmers in the village especially in the ASAL areas to engaging in cutting edge research in Agricultural Sciences, all geared towards enhancing food and nutrition security. He has consistently engaged in research activities targeted towards improving cropping systems to match food/feed needs for emerging world population. His specific research major is Plant Sciences with specific interests on Plant Pathology toeing an advanced line of plant-microbe interactions. He is also trained in managing community-based development projects . He completed his Undergraduate Education in Horticulture in Africa (Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology KENYA), Masters and PhD in Europe (Leibniz Univesität Hannover GERMANY), worked/is working in Universities in United States of America -USA (University of Wisconsin-Madison & Washington State University), Asia (Okayama University JAPAN) and as Senior Researcher at Polish Academy of Sciences in POLAND. He has previously served in various capacities as a senior manager in private companies and NGOs, and as an extension worker in agricultural projects serving the local communities. He knows best what a poor local subsistence farmer needs, how to reach it, and how relevant the modern science is, especially to the local population.

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Education

Education history is unavailable.

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Projects & funding information is unavailable.

Publications (26)

  • Nitric oxide produced by Ralstonia solanacearum affects tomato defense responses”. American Phytopathological Society National Meeting, August 2015. Pasadena, California USA.
    2014
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  • The alternative Medicago truncatula defense proteome of ROS-defective transgenic roots during early microbial infection.
    2014 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2014.00341
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  • Phenotypic and molecular characterization of resistance induction by single and combined application of chitosan and silicon in tomato against Ralstonia solanacearum
    Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology 2013 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmpp.2012.11.002
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  • The Mitochondrial Complexome of Medicago truncatula.
    2013 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2013.00084
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  • Silencing of the Rac1 GTPase MtROP9 in Medicago truncatula stimulates early mycorrhizal and oomycete root colonizations but negatively affects rhizobial infection.
    2012 DOI: 10.1104/pp.112.193706
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  • Aftabi, M., Kiirika, LM., Hassan, F. & Jacobsen, H-J. (201x) Zeatin enhances the efficiency of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Pisum sativum. Acta Physiologica
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  • Annual Conference for German Society of Horticultural Sciences, DGG, February 2012, Hannover (Germany).
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  • Characterization of resistance induction by silicon and chitosan in tomato against tomato bacterial wilt. 58th Plant Protection Conference, September 2012, Technical University Braunschweig (Germany).
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  • Defense proteins during early symbiotic and pathogenic interactions in the model legume Medicago truncatula. TROPENTAG: International Research on Food Security, Natural Resource Management and Rural Development, September 2012, University of Göttingen (G…
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  • Developments in Proteome Analysis, workshop -Proteomics 2.0 initiative, June 2011, LUH (Germany)
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  • Effects of silicon and chitosan on resistance induction against bacterial wilt in tomato caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, HAK, December 2011, Pwani University (Kenya).
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  • Functional role of signaling protein MtROP9 during symbiotic and pathogenic interactions in model legume Medicago truncatula via molecular and proteomic approaches, international proteomic forum, March 2013, Freie University Berlin (Germany).
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  • Infection proteome of signaling protein MtROP9-interfered M. truncatula roots and significant changes during ROS defense signaling”, 7th European Summer School; Advanced proteomics”, August 2013, Kloster Neustift, Brixen (Italy).
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  • Kiirika, LM., Dalsing, B., & Allen, C. 201x. Nitric oxide produced by Ralstonia solanacearum affects tomato defense responses
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  • Kiirika, LM., Koome M., Kirigia J and Losenge T. (2004). Investigations on the antagonistic/direct effects of beneficial microorganisms in beans against Uromyces appendiculatus causing bean rust
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  • Legume small GTPase MtROP9 and its role in establishment of plant defense during microbial interactions. 58th Plant Protection Conference, September 2012, Technical University Braunschweig (Germany).
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  • Mbuthia, LW., Kiirika, LM & von Alten, H. (201x). Interactive effects of arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi Glomus intraradices and Trichoderma harzianum against Fusarium wilt of tomato. Biol. Cont. (submitted)
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  • Micromethods in Protein Chemistry, 18th Conference, DGPF, June 2012, Maxplanck Institute of Biochemistry Martinsried Munich (Germany)
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  • Nitric oxide produced by Ralstonia solanacearum affects tomato defense responses. 29th Annual Raper Symposium, September 2015. Ebling Symposium Center Microbial Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison USA.
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  • Ogada, PA., Kiirika, LM., Haase, C., Klodmann, J., Braun, HP., Poehling, H.‐M. (201x) Proteomic profiling unravels insights into the molecular background underlying increased Tomato spotted wilt virus (Tospovirus)-immunity of Frankliniella occidentalis. …
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