Bombom Alexander Junior

Alexander Bombom is lead project scientist for the sorghum-maize hybrid project at the BecA-ILRI Hub in Nairobi, Kenya. The sorghum - maize hybrid project evolved following a successful cross generated by Bombom in 2009 involving maize and sorghum. As a result of this breakthrough in agricultural research, Bombom submitted a proposal to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to provide proof of concept for the sorghum - maize hybrid technology, which grant was awarded to the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) where the BecA-ILRI Hub is located.

Application of the maize-sorghum hybrid technology will contribute to increased genetic diversity in maize and sorghum for important biotic and abiotic stresses. Outputs from the maize-sorghum hybrid project include but are not limited to identification of putative hybrid plants as true maize x sorghum and/or sorghum x maize hybrids.

Bombom holds a Master of Science in Crop Science degree with a major in plant breeding and genetics from Makerere University and recently defended his PhD thesis in Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology also from Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. Bombom is fascinated by the unknown and is enthusiastic about working with scientists both in the academia and applied research in exploring this novel, grey area through collaborative research efforts.

Alexander Bombom can also be contacted through alexander.bombom@gmail.com