EDUCATION
Ph.D. (2007) Cornell University, Department of Horticulture, Ithaca, NY Dissertation Title: “Effects of juvenility and etiolation on the clonal propagation of Quercus species.”
M.S. (2003) Cornell University, Department of Horticulture, Ithaca, NY. Thesis Title: “Clonal propagation of Quercus sp using a container layering technique.”
BSc. (1999) University of Science and Technology, Agriculture Department, Kumasi, Ghana. Under Graduate Thesis: “The effect of soil media and water management on the growth and yield of shallots (Allium cepa var ascalonicum).”
WORK EXPERIENCE
August 2019 to date Head, Department of Crop Science, University of Ghana (UG), Legon
June 2016 to date Senior Lecturer, Department of Crop Science, University of Ghana (UG), Legon
July 2009-May 2016 Lecturer, Department of Crops Science, University of Ghana (UG), Legon.
April 2010-Sept. 2013 Programme Coordinator, West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), University of Ghana, Legon
2007-2008 Fellowship in the South & Southeast Asia Region (India, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia & Vietnam).
Visiting Scientist. Horticulture Department. Tamil Nadu Agriculture University, Coimbatore, India (January 26 – April 6, 2008).
Visiting Scientist. Center for Agricultural Biotechnology. Kasetsart University, Bangkheng Campus, Thailand (April 27 – August 31, 2008). 2002-2007 Weekend Arborist, Cornell University Community Forestry Outreach Program
August 2000- July 2007 Graduate Research
2004-2005 Assistant Conference Coordinator [2005 Master Gardener conference, Ithaca NY]
2001-2004 Teaching Assistant, Horticulture Department, Cornell University
2000-2007 Graduate Research, Horticulture Department, Cornell University
OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE
2002-2004 Administrative Assistant, Institute for African Development (IAD), Cornell University
1993- 1994 Assistant Project Officer, Educational Unit, Ghana Wildlife Society
TEACHING RESPONSIBILITIES
Courses Taught (Course number and name)
CROP 315 Principles of Horticulture (3 credits) course link
CROP 435 Environmental Horticulture (3 credits)
CROP 648 Nursery Management (3 credits) course link
CROP 645 Floriculture (3 credits)
CROP 643 Olericulture (3 credits) co-teach
CROP 706 Climate Change and Sustainable Agricultural Production in the Tropics (3 credits) co-teach
ADVISEES
Postgraduate Projects Supervised
Graduate Major (Masters) - 7 students (2010-2017)
Graduate Minors (Masters) - 9 students (2010 - 2017)
Undergraduate Projects Supervised -24 students (2010-2017)
GRANT SUPPORT
VolkswagenStiftung Junior Fellowship Grant – “Propagation, cultural practices, genetic and biochemical diversity of two medicinal plant species, Croton membranaceus and Cryptolepis sanguinolenta.” February 2011. Euros 123,000.00 Role: Principal Investigator
Office of Research Innovation and Development (ORID) Grant - Grafting as a means to control Meloidogyne infestation in tomato genotypes. January 2014. GHC 24,983.00 Role: Principal Investigator
Open Society Foundation (OSF) - Climate Change and Food Systems Research US$ 794,000.00. 2015. Member of the Team that developed the proposal and Indigenous Crop Species Thematic Group Coordinator
Cambridge–Africa Alborada Research Fund – “Alternative methods of cultivation of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta to maximize active compound production and prevent species extinction in the wild: GhanaMedPlants”. March 2015. [£7,500.00] Role: African Partner
Capsicum chinense Seed Evaluations – East-West Seeds International US $1,000.00. 2015. Role: Principal Investigator
Office of Research Innovation and Development (ORID) Grant - Academia-Industry Engagement (Medicinal Plant Industry). GHC 10,000.00. March 2016. Role: Principal Investigator
Milk Quality Improvement and Upscaling Programme for Smallholder Dairy Farmers and Processors (Co-PI; training farmers to compost their farm waste for crop development) US $1,000,000.00 COTVET
Safi Sana Ghana Limited - "Evaluation of Safi Sana compost and effluent water in commercial vegetable seedling and crop production" Euros 14,395.00 2017. Role: Principal Investigator
AWARDS RECEIVED
Visiting Scholar, Harvard Center for African Studies, February - June 2018
Cambridge-Africa Partnership for Research Excellence (CAPREx) Fellowship Award March -July 2016
VolkswagenStiftung Junior Fellowship Grant Award – One of ten recipients from Africa. February 2011 –2014.
William Fredrick Dreer Travel Award (Cornell University): “Experiential Learning in the Spice and Orchid Industries of Southern Asia.” February 2007 [US $18,000]
Matthias Prager Homan Graduate Research travel Award: June 2007 [US $500]
First place in graduate student paper competition, American Society for Horticultural Science Northeastern Region Chapter: January 2006 [US $300]
Tuition Fellowship Award, Department of Horticulture & Institute for African Development, Cornell University. August 2000-2006.
PUBLICATIONS
Agyeman, C., Okorley, B.A., Amissah, J.N. and Nyaku, S.T. (2021). Evaluation of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum 'Pectomech') grafts against root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita. Acta Hortic. 1302,177-184 https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2021.1302.24
Amissah, J.N. (2019). Loss of Indigenous Crop Species: Implications for Crop Diversity and Food Security in Ghana. Science and Development 3:64-83.
Nyawudzo, G. Amissah, J.N., Kusi, F. & Ofori, K. (2019). Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Frafra Potato (Solenostemon rotundifolius) Accessions in Ghana. Science and Development 3:1-19
Osei-Tutu, C., Amissah, J.G.N., Amissah, J.N. & Saalia, F.K. (2019). Physicochemical and Sensory Characteristics of Bread Made from Wheat-Frafra Potato (Solenostemon rotundifolius) Composite Flour Science and Development 3:20-29.
Nyaku, S. T., & Amissah, N. (2019). Grafting: An Effective Strategy for Nematode Management in Tomato Genotypes. In: Recent Advances in Tomato Breeding and Production. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.82774 [Book Chapter].
Hua, L. Hadziabdic, D., Amissah, N., Nowicki, M., Boggess, S., Teng, N & Trigiano, R. N. (2018). Characterization of fifteen microsatellite loci and genetic diversity analysis for the Ghanaian food security crop Solenostemon rotundifolius (Frafra potato). Afr. J. Biotechnology Vol.17(47), 1352-1357. http://dx.doi.org/10.5897/AJB2018.16666
Okorley, B., Agyeman, C., Amissah, N., and Nyaku, S. (2018). Screening Selected Solanum Plants as Potential Rootstocks for the Management of Root-knot Nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita). International Journal of Agronomy. 6, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/6715909.
Amissah, J.N., Wadl, P.A., Hadziabdic, D., Boggess, S.L and Trigiano, R.N. (2016). Characterization of thirteen microsatellite loci from the Ghanaian antimalarial plant Cryptolepis sanguinolenta. Journal of Medicinal Plant Research 10 (14), 183-187. http://dx.doi.org/10.5897/JMPR2016.6047
Monney, M.A. D., Amissah, J.N., and Blay, E.T. (2016). Influence of BA and IBA or NAA Combinations on Micropropagation of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta. American Journal of Plant Sciences 7, 572-580.
Amissah, JN, Osei-Safo D, Asare CM, Missah-Assihene, B, Danquah EY, Addae-Mensah I (2016). Influence of age and staking on the growth and cryptolepine concentration in cultivated roots of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (Lindl.) Schlt. Journal of Medicinal Plant Research 10 (9) 113-121.
Amissah, JN, Spiller M, Oppong A, Osei-Safo D, Owusu-Darko R, Debener, T, Danquah EY, Addae-Mensah I (2016). Genetic diversity and cryptolepine concentration of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (Lindl.) Schlt from selected regions of Ghana. J Appl Res Med Aromatic Plants 3, 34-41.
Akapo, D.B., Amissah, N. Yeboah, J. and Blay, E. 2014. Effect of indole 3- butyric acid and media type on adventitious root formation in shea nut tree (Vitellaria Paradoxa C.F. Gaertn.) stem cuttings. American Journal of Plant Sciences, 5, 313-318. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ajps.2014.53043
Amissah, N., Akapo, D.B., Yeboah, J., and Blay, E. 2013. Asexual propagation of shea nut tree (Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertn.) using a container layering technique. American Journal of Plant Sciences, 4, 1758-1764. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ajps.2013.49216
Amissah, J. N., and Monney, M.A.D. 2012. Effect of indole-3-butyric acid propagation medium on rooting in Bougainvillea glabra L. and Bougainvillea spectabilis stem cuttings using a poly-propagator. Ghana Journal of Horticulture 10:27-32.
Wenyonu, D. K., Norman, J.C. and Amissah, N. 2012. Yield and yield components of okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] as influenced by heading back and intra-row spacing. Ghana Journal of Horticulture 10: 13-26.
Amissah, J.N., and Bassuk, N. 2009. Cutting back stock plants promotes adventitious rooting of stems of Quercus bicolor and Quercus macrocarpa. Journal of Environmental Horticulture 27(3):159-165.
Amissah, J. N, Paolillo, D. J. Jr., and Bassuk. N. 2008. Adventitious root formation in stem cuttings of Quercus bicolor and Quercus macrocarpa and its relationship to stem anatomy. Journal of American Society of Horticultural Sciences 133(4):479–486.
Amissah, N. and Bassuk, N. 2007. Effect of light and cutting age on rooting in Quercus bicolor, Quercus robur and Quercus macrocarpa cuttings. Combined Proceedings of the International Plant Propagators Society 57: 286-292
Amissah, N. and Bassuk, N. 2005. Severe cutback of stock plant influences rooting in shoots of Quercus bicolor and Quercus macrocarpa. Combined Proceedings International Plant Propagators' Society 55, 436-438.
Amissah, J.N. and Bassuk, N.L. 2004. Clonal propagation of Quercus spp. using a container layering technique. Journal of Environmental Horticulture, 22 (2): 80-84.
Timpo, G. M., Amissah, J.N., Agodzo, S.K. and Gaveh, E.A. 2003. Performance of shallot (Allium cepa var. ascalonicum) under different soil media and irrigation regimes. Ghana Journal of Horticulture 2: 65-73.
PUBLICATIONS - Peer Review Conference Proceedings
Amissah, N. and Bassuk, N. 2007. Effect of light and cutting age on rooting in Quercus bicolor, Quercus robur and Quercus macrocarpa cuttings. Combined Proceedings of the International Plant Propagators Society 57: 286-292. http://www.hort.cornell.edu/uhi/research/articles/IntPlantProp(57).pdf]
Amissah, N. and Bassuk, N. 2005. Severe cutback of stock plant influences rooting in shoots of Quercus bicolor and Quercus macrocarpa. Combined Proceedings International Plant Propagators' Society 55, 436-438. http://www.hort.cornell.edu/uhi/research/articles/IntPlantProp(55).pdf
SELECT PRESENTATIONS
Building Relationships for Career Development. Grant Proposal Writing Workshop; August 8th , 2018 LECIAD University of Ghana, Legon [Presenter]
Impact of Climate change on smallholder agriculture and the role of Underutilized crop species in achieving food security. Climate change, Agriculture and Health in Africa Radcliffe Accelerator Workshop, May 7-8, 2018, Harvard University [Oral Presentation]
Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, a medicinal plant used in the treatment of malaria. Integrative Medicine for the Treatment of Tick-borne Diseases conference, April 20-21, 2018, The Westin Baltimore Washington Airport-Hotel Baltimore, Maryland [Oral and Poster Presentations].
Explore Careers in Africa panel discussion. Office of Career Services, Harvard University March 22, 2018 [Panelist]
Grant Writing Training Workshop, UT-USAID-BHEARD, Biotechnology Centre, University of Ghana Legon. January 8-9, 2018 [Presenter].
Industry-Academia Medicinal Plant Dissemination Engagement, Centre for Plant Medicine Research, Mampong, Ghana. Conference Room. November 24, 2016 [Presenter].
Cultivation vs. Wild Harvesting of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, a medicinal plant used in the treatment of malaria. Pan Africa Chemistry Network Congress 2017: Sustainable Agriculture November 8, 2017, Accra International Conference Centre [Presenter].
Climate Change Validation workshop for the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG), September 14th 2017, Premier Palace Hotel, Techiman [Presenter – Baseline Survey findings to key stakeholders].
Alternative methods for the cultivation of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta a medicinal plant used in the treatment of malaria. Cambridge Africa Day, October 25, 2016. Queen’s Building, Emmanuel College, Cambridge, UK [Invited speaker]
Cultivation of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta. The Traditional Medicine Practice Council. July 27, 2016. GNAT Hall, Accra Ghana [Presenter]
Domestication of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta - a medicinal plant used in the treatment of malaria. July 7, 2016. National Institute for Agricultural Botany (NIAB), Cambridge, UK [Presenter]
Scientific Communication Module, West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement WACCI. April 13, 2017 [Module Instructor]
Conservation of Medicinal Plants – Cryptolepis sanguinolenta domestication, Industry-Academia Medicinal Plants Partnership, March 10, 2016, School of Biological Sciences Conference Room, University of Ghana [Presenter]
Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer, Training Workshop, Organized by the Office of Research and Development (ORID) and Africa Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO), UG Business School, December 7-8, 2015 [Moderator].
Understanding Research Design Module at the Evidence Informed Policy Making Course by Vaka Yiko from November 2-3, 2015 [Module Instructor]. http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/media-center/news/2102-ginks-trains-civil-servants-in-evidence-informed-policy-making. [Module Presenter]
Proposal Development Workshop. Ghana Technology University College. May 28, 2015 [Lead Workshop Facilitator]
Protocol for the domestication of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta a Medicinal Plant used in the Treatment of Malaria. “Strengthening the Private Sector through Research, Technology and Innovation. Ghana Technology University College, March 31, 2015 [Presenter].
Proposal Development Workshop. Ghana Technology University College. May 28, 2015 [Lead Workshop Facilitator]
Understanding Research Design Module at the Evidence-Informed Policy Making Course by Vaka Yiko from November 2-3, 2015 [Module Instructor]. http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/media-center/news/2102-ginks-trains-civil-servants-in-evidence-informed-policy-making.
Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer, Training Workshop, UG Business School, December 7-8, 2015 [Moderator].
Conservation of Medicinal Plants – Cryptolepis sanguinolenta domestication, Industry-Academia Medicinal Plants Partnership, March 10, 2016, School of Biological Sciences Conference Room, University of Ghana [Presenter]
Neglected and Underutilized Plant Species Project National Stakeholders’ Meeting. CSIR-INSTI, Accra January 9, 2014 [Presenter].
EXTENSION WORK AND MATERIALS DEVELOPED
Manual for Tomato Grafting
Crop production manual for C. sanguinolenta
Video on C. sanguinolenta plant production (English and Twi) [See Video Section]
WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES ATTENDED
October 3-4, 2018. "Domestication of Vitellaria paradoxa (Sheanut tree), the promise of a container layering technique." Food and Nutrition Security Conference; October 3rd, 2018; West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), University of Ghana, Legon [Presenter]
June 8, 2018. "Domestication of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta a medicinal plant used in the treatment of malaria and Lyme disease." Center for Geographic Analysis Spatial Information, Spatial Analysis, and Spatial Thinking, June 8, 2018, CGIS South Belfer Case Study Room, Harvard University– GIS project presentation [Presenter]
March 16-18, 2015. African Initiative of the Volkswagen Foundation Workshop. Volkswagen Foundation Grantees Meeting, Antananarivo Madagascar.
February 11-13, 2015. ACCAI Partnership Project “Co-producing knowledge on food systems for development in Africa.” Inception Meeting, Kunduchi Beach Hotel & Resort, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
February 12-13, 2014. Policy Dialogue workshop on the “Legal and Policy Framework of Climate Change in Ghana for Enhancing the Adaptation of Smallholder Farmers, Especially Women, to Improve Agricultural Production” CSIR-STEPRI, Accra.
September 19, 2013. Establishment of effective Research Network for Infectious Diseases and Medicinal Plants in Ghana Workshop, Nogouchi Memorial Institute, University of Ghana.
October 8-16, 2013, Fourth Workshop of the Junior Fellows Program in Natural Resources Leibnez University, Hannover Germany.
July 16-18, 2013, Collaborative Research Training Workshop International Science Foundation (IFS), CSIR-INSTI, Accra, Ghana.
December 13-14, 2012, Third Workshop of the Junior Fellows Program in Natural Resources Chant d’Oiseau, Cotonou, Benin.
September 24-28, 2012. EU-ACP Workshop on Value Chain Research on Neglected and Underutilized Crops Research, International Science Foundation (IFS), CSIR-INSTI, Accra, Ghana.
June 18-22, 2012. EU-ACP Workshop on Research Design and Data Analysis with Focus on Neglected and Underutilized Crops Research, International Science Foundation (IFS), CSIR-INSTI, Accra, Ghana.
January 15-18, 2012. Career Development Workshop for Volkswagen Foundation Junior Fellows at Gustav-Stresemann-Institut Bonn, Germany.
January 9-27, 2012. Training in AFLP-technique, Institute of Plant Genetics, Department of Molecular Plant Breeding, Leibniz University Hannover, Germany.
September 30, 2011. Workshop to Brainstorm on “Institutionalizing mentoring” and to define an action plan for UG. UG-Carnegie Next Generation Project, Centre for African Wetlands Legon.
September 20-23, 2011. Workshop on “Interpretation of Commercial Quality Standards for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables", organized by UNECE, La Badi Beach Hotel, Accra.
August 16, 2011. Inception Workshop on “Enhancing Food Security in Africa through the Improvement of Rice Post-Harvest Handling, Marketing and the Development of New Rice-Based Products”. Mensvic Grand Hotel, Accra
June 14-16, 2011. Proposal Writing workshop, Office of Research, Innovation, and Development (ORID)
May 22-26, 2011. Kickoff-Workshop for Volkswagen Foundation Junior Fellows Programme on Natural Resources at the African Institute for Capacity Development (AICAD), Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kenya.
January 19-22, 2010. Information Training and Outreach Centre for Africa (ITOCA) e-resource leaders course on Research-for Life and TEEAL programs. Lagos Nigeria, 2010 [Training].
July 8-10, 2009. National Information Literacy Training-of-Trainer Course, E-resources AGORA/HINARI/OARE/PROTA/TEEAL training workshop, CSIR INSTI, Accra [Training].
November 24-28, 2008. International Pepper Community Conference (IPC), Ho Chin Mai City Vietnam [Conference].
October 20-14 November 2008. Training in Plant Tissue Culture Techniques. Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), Malaysia [Training].
October 1-9, 2008. Interactions with black pepper spice and commercial orchid & cut-flower growers in the Johore Bahru area, Malaysia [Farm Visits].
MEMBERSHIPS OF BOARDS AND COMMITTEES - UNIVERSITY OF GHANA
Nominated to represent the University Academic Board on the Business and Executive Committee, University of Ghana 2018
Member of the University of Ghana Academic Board 2017 to date
UG-Coordinator, Information Training and Outreach Centre for Africa (ITOCA) 2014-2016
Member, College Academic Board, College of Basic and Applied Sciences (COBAS), UG 2014-date
Member, Team tasked to developed guidelines and a strategic plan for the Technology Development and Transfer Centre (TDTC), University of Ghana. 2014
Member of the Post Graduate Committee of the Department of Crop Science 2013 to date
Secretary to the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) Advisory Board 2011-2013
Member of the College of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences (CACS) Ph.D. Proposal Development Committee 2012.
Member of the College of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences’ Consultancy Committee 2011 to date
Member of the Sub-Committee that developed a framework for Course Modules for the Diploma in Agriculture Programme for the CACS, University of Ghana, 2010.
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES
Member, Society for Conservation Biology. 2016
AcademiaNet–Expert Database for Outstanding Female Academics (Nominated by the Volkswagen Foundation) 2015-date
International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) 2010-date
Ghana Institute of Horticulturist 2009-date