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Dr. Orek O. Charles

Dr. Orek O. Charles

Senior Lecturer & Research Scientist Department of Agriculture
corek@mut.ac.ke

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ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7310-4052

Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Charles-Orek

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orekcharles/

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Biography

Dr. Orek holds a PhD in Plant Sciences from Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH-Zürich, Switzerland, MSc. in Crop Protection and BSc. in Agriculture from the University of Nairobi, Kenya. He has worked over 10 years as a research scientist, university lecturer, trainer and consultant in the field of agriculture. Dr. Orek’s research interest encompasses plant pathology, integrated pest management, post-harvest management, abiotic stress tolerance, climate smart agriculture technologies for sustainable food security and nutrition among others. Dr. Orek is an expert in curricula development and review, capacity building and has held several leadership roles in the university including examination coordinator, anti-alcohol & drug abuse lead, Ag. Chairman of department, TVET coordinator and associate dean of students among others. He has won several research grants, projects and awards, supervised and mentored several postgraduate students and published in several peer-reviewed journals. Further, Dr. Orek is a peer reviewer for 10 journals, an external examiner for several universities and is a member of professional bodies such as Horticultural Association of Kenya, Africa Phytopathology Society, Biochemistry & Biotechnology Association of Kenya and Nature Kenya.

Education

  • PhD in Plant Sciences at the Institute of Agricultural Sciences (IAS), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH-Zürich), Switzerland.
  • Master of Science in Crop Protection at the Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.
  • Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, at the Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya

Publications

  1. Orek C, (2023): A review of the functions of transcription factors and related genes involved in cassava (Manihot Esculenta Crantz) response to drought stress. Tropical Plants 2:14 https://doi.org/10.48130/TP-2023-0014
  2. Orek C, Mulupi K, Koima I (2023): A Review of the Roles of Non- Coding RNAs Associated with Drought Stress Response in Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz). Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology, 26(7): 1–10. https://doi.org/10.9734/jabb/2023/v26i7642
  3. Orek C, Kyallo M, Yao N (2023): Analysis of local cassava landraces and improved genotypes in response to infections by cassava mosaic begomoviruses under field conditions in Kenya. Tropical Plant pathology, 48: 182–198. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40858-023-00558-9
  4. Koima IN, Kilalo DC, Orek CO, Wagacha JM, Nyaboga EN (2023): Identification and Characterization of Colletotrichum Species Causing Sorghum Anthracnose in Kenya and Screening of Sorghum Germplasm for Resistance to Anthracnose. Journal of Fungi, 9(1):100. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9010100
  5. Koima IN, Kilalo DC, Orek CO, Wagacha JM, Nyaboga EN (2022). Survey of Fungal Foliar and
    Panicle Diseases in Smallholder Sorghum Cropping Systems in Different Agro-Ecologies of Lower
    Eastern Kenya. Microbiology Research, 13(4): 765-787
    https://doi.org/10.3390/microbiolres13040055
  6. Orek C (2022): Farmer-Cultivated Landraces and Improved Cassava Genotypes Exhibit Varied
    Response to Cassava Brown Streak Disease under Natural Infections in Kenya. Journal of Plant
    Pathology Research 4(1):30-44 https://doi.org/10.36959/394/624
  7. Ngela AM, Muli B, Orek C (2021): Evaluation of bean common mosaic disease and associated aphid
    vector, Aphis fabae L., on common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production in lower Eastern Kenya.
    International Journal of Pathogen Research 8 (3): 1-18
    https://doi.org/10.9734/ijpr/2021/v8i330203
  8.  Orek C, Gruissem W, Ferguson M, Vanderschuren H (2020): Morpho-Physiological and Molecular
    Evaluation of drought tolerance in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz). Field Crops Research, 255
    (2020) 107861 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2020.107861
  9. Maluki M, Orek CO, Akuja, T (2019): Evaluation and selection of different legumes species based
    on morphological and nodulation differences under water deficient conditions of lower eastern
    Kenya. International Journal of Current Research, 11(4): 3206-3214.
  10. Orek CO (2018): An Optimized Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide (CTAB)-Based Protocol for
    Extracting RNA from Young and Old Cassava Leaves. Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology,
    19(4): 1-7 https://doi.org/10.9734/JABB/2018/45370
  11. Koros JC, Runo SM, Yusuf M, Orek CO (2018): Screening selected cassava cultivars for resistance
    against cassava viruses and cassava green mites under advanced yield trials in Kenya. Journal of
    Biotechnology and Biochemistry, 4(5): 37-52.
  12. Koima IN, Orek CO (2018): Response to Cassava Brown Streak Disease Infections in Local and
    Improved Cassava Genotypes under Field and Greenhouse Assays in Lower Eastern Kenya.
    International Journal of Pathogen Research, 1(3): 1-14
    9
  13. Koima IN, Orek CO, Nguluu S (2018): Distribution of Cassava Mosaic and Cassava Brown Streak
    Diseases in Agro-Ecological Zones of Lower Eastern Kenya. International Journal of Innovative
    Science and Research Technology, 3 (1): 391 – 399
  14. Ngugi K, Orek C, Mwang’ombe A (2013): Morphological and Physiological Measurement of the
    Stay-Green Trait in Transgenic and Non-Transgenic Cassava under Greenhouse Water Stress
    Conditions. Journal of Renewable Agriculture, 1(5): 77 – 83.
    https://doi.org/10.12966/jra.08.02.2013