Dr. Justine Kipruto Kitony | Plant Genomics | Excellence in Research Awards

Dr. Justine Kipruto Kitony | Salk Institute for Biological Studies | United States

Dr. Justine K. Kitony is a postdoctoral fellow in Plant Genomics and Breeding at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. With over a decade of experience in plant genomics, bioinformatics, and breeding, he integrates cutting-edge sequencing technologies with field phenotyping and genomic prediction to uncover trait-function relationships in key crops. Him work bridges fundamental science and agricultural application, contributing to climate-resilient breeding strategies and sustainable seed systems. Justine has led and co-authored high-impact publications in top journals such as Nature and Nature Communications, with notable contributions in cannabis, baobab, and sorghum pangenomics. Passionate about collaborative science, he has mentored early-career researchers and coordinated cross-functional research teams across Asia, Africa, and the U.S. he is driven by the goal of enhancing crop performance under environmental stress while preserving biodiversity and advancing food and energy security globally.

Publication Profile: 

Google Scholar

Education:

Dr. Kitony holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Sciences (Quantitative Genetics and Genomics) from Nagoya University, Japan, where he developed a novel nested association mapping (NAM) population in rice to dissect complex traits. he earned him M.Sc. in Bioinformatics from Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, China, focusing on transcriptome analysis of rice blast resistance. Him academic foundation in computer science and databases was laid with a B.Sc. in Information Technology from RMIT University, Australia. Across these programs, he has acquired multidisciplinary expertise combining computational biology, statistical genetics, molecular biology, and plant breeding. This diverse educational background uniquely positions him to lead genomics-driven research for sustainable crop improvement. Him international academic journey reflects him adaptability and global research outlook, equipping him with the skills necessary to solve real-world agricultural challenges using cutting-edge tools.

Experience:

Currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Salk Institute, Dr. Kitony leads the sorghum pangenome project within the Harnessing Plants Initiative. he integrates ONT and HiFi sequencing with trait mapping, GWAS, and CRISPR target discovery for crop improvement. Previously, at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), he designed and managed large-scale field trials for rice and cotton, implemented genotyping pipelines, and supported seed system delivery. he also has industry experience as a systems consultant, managing large-scale databases and automating data workflows. Him experience spans from field phenotyping and molecular biology to cloud-based bioinformatics and genomic prediction. A proven leader, he has mentored students, authored key publications, and collaborated across disciplines and geographies. Him field-to-lab translational research expertise makes him an invaluable asset in advancing data-driven, sustainable breeding solutions.

Awards and Honors:

Dr. Kitony’s contributions have earned him international recognition. he is a JICA Development Studies Fellow and an active member of the Japanese Society of Breeding. he serves as a Topic Coordinator for Frontiers in Plant Science and reviewer for multiple Springer Nature journals, reflecting him scientific leadership and credibility. Him research has received wide acclaim, including recent first-author publications in Nature and Nature Communications. he is frequently invited to contribute to major genomics projects and collaborative research efforts across institutions. Him educational and research fellowships reflect both academic merit and a commitment to global development goals. Through capacity-building roles and farmer-outreach programs, he has further shown a strong drive for science impact beyond academia.

Research Focus:

Dr. Kitony’s research focuses on plant genomics, trait discovery, and sustainable crop improvement. he specializes in GWAS, QTL mapping, pangenomics, transcriptomics, and genomic selection, aiming to uncover the genetic basis of traits related to stress tolerance, yield, and adaptation. he applies high-throughput sequencing (PacBio, ONT, Hi-C) and multi-environment field phenotyping using UAVs, LiDAR, and spectral imaging to support breeding decisions. He work emphasizes integrative multi-omics, applying CRISPR target prioritization and genomic prediction in crops like rice, sorghum, baobab, and cannabis. By connecting computational biology and real-world agriculture, him goal is to develop climate-smart, high-yielding, and biodiversity-supportive seed systems. he also champions open-access data practices, reproducible pipelines, and collaborative research, ensuring him innovations are scalable and impactful across regions, particularly in the Global South.

Publication Top Notes:

1. Domesticated cannabinoid synthases amid a wild mosaic cannabis pangenome – Nature

2. Chromosome-level baobab genome illuminates its evolutionary insights – Nature Communications

3. Nested Association Mapping Population in Crops: Current Status and Future Prospects – J. Crop Sci. Biotech.

4. Development of an aus-derived Nested Association Mapping (aus-NAM) Population in Rice – Plants

5. Rice_Phospho 1.0: a new rice-specific SVM predictor for protein phosphorylation sites – Scientific Reports

6. Utilization of genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) for rice pre-breeding and improvement: A review – Life

7. Chromosome-level baobab genome illuminates its evolutionary trajectory and environmental adaptation – Nature Communications

8. Domesticated cannabinoid synthases amid a wild mosaic cannabis pangenome – Nature

9. Pangenome of US ex-PVP and Wild Sorghum Reveals Structural Variants and Selective Sweeps – bioRxiv

10. Soil depth determines the microbial communities in Sorghum bicolor fields – Microbiology Spectrum

Conclusion:

Dr. Justine K. Kitony exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding researcher worthy of a Research for Excellence Award. He deep expertise in plant genomics, leadership of high-impact projects, strong publication record, and dedication to mentoring mark him as a leading figure in crop genetics and breeding. While there are areas for growth such as expanding him international and public engagement, these do not detract from him significant scientific contributions. Recognizing Dr. Kitony would not only honor him achievements but also encourage continued innovation in sustainable agriculture, genomic research, and capacity development — fields critical to addressing global challenges related to food security and biodiversity conservation.