Beatrice Konadu
- Country of Origin: Ghana
- Home University: University of Ghana
- Host University & Country: Cornell University - USA
- PhD Title: Genetic Trade-offs Between Cold and Drought Tolerance in Tripsacum dactyloides
- Year of Completion: 2028
PhD Overview
My research focuses on understanding how plants cope with environmental stresses such as drought and cold. I study Tripsacum dactyloides, a wild perennial relative of maize that naturally grows across a wide range of environments. By comparing different Tripsacum accessions, I aim to identify the genetic differences that help some plants survive water shortage or low temperatures better than others. I combine greenhouse experiments, plant measurements, DNA sequencing, and computer-based analysis to connect stress-tolerant traits with the genes and genomic regions that may control them.
I am also studying whether adaptation to one type of stress may come with a trade-off in another. For example, a genetic variant that helps a plant tolerate cold may not necessarily help it tolerate drought. Understanding these relationships can help reveal how plants adapt to changing environments and how useful traits are maintained in wild populations. This work can provide insights to support the development of more climate-resilient crops in the future.
Sustainability Goals
- Climate Action
- Gender Equality
- Zero Hunger
About Me
I am a plant breeder and geneticist passionate about understanding how crops and their wild relatives adapt to challenging environments. My research uses Tripsacum dactyloides, a perennial relative of maize, to study the genetic basis of drought and cold tolerance. By combining greenhouse experiments, genomics, transcriptomics, and bioinformatics, I aim to identify the genes and genetic variation that help plants survive environmental stress and to understand whether adaptation to one stress may come with trade-offs under another.
What motivates me most is the opportunity to translate this knowledge into practical solutions for crop improvement. Growing up and training in Ghana shaped my interest in climate-resilient agriculture and the need for stronger plant-breeding capacity in Africa. My long-term goal is to use the skills I am developing in genomics and quantitative genetics to contribute to research, teaching, mentorship, and the development of more resilient crops, particularly in regions where climate variability directly affects food security.