Education:

• Ph.D. (1998). Molecular Genetics, Agriculture and Forestry. University of Helsinki, Finland.
• M.S. (1992). Crop science. University of Gezira, Sudan.
• B.S. (1984). Agricultural sciences (Honors). University of Gezira, Sudan.

Experience:

• April 2007 to present: Research Molecular Biologist, USDA-ARS, Kimberly, Idaho
• 2005 to 2007: Research Fellow, International Food Policy Research Institute, ISNAR division (IFPRI), Washington, DC.
• 2002 to 2005: Research Associate, USDA-ARS and Washington State University, Pullman, WA
• 2001 to 2002: Postdoctoral Fellow: Forage Improvement Division. S.R. Noble Foundation, Ardmore, OK

Professional Societies:

• American Society of Plant Biologists
• American Society of Crop Science
• International Institute for Beet Research

Awards Received

• The CGIAR Chairman's Excellence in Science Award (1998), World Bank-Washington D.C.
• Best Foreign Graduate Student Award (1994), Department of Plant Production, University of Helsinki, Finland.

Program Goals and Directions

The general objective of the program is to enhance sugar beet germplasm by conventional and molecular genetics approaches and to increase the competitiveness, cost-effectiveness and efficiency of the public research in sugar beet with application of recombinant DNA technologies.

The program will build upon the current genetics and breeding knowledge, as well as molecular genetics in deciphering the major disease resistance genes (Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV), Beet severe curly top virus (BSCTV). A broad genetic base is vital for germplasm enhancement; therefore we will focus on monitoring genetic diversity of the genus Beta, elite germplasm and commercial hybrids. Molecular markers are significantly advancing means to identify association between genes and agronomic traits. DNA Markers could be used to monitor the transfer of specific chromosome segments known to carry useful agronomic traits to an economically important germplasm.

We will develop and deploy molecular markers including EST-SSRs, SNPs and DArT to increase the efficiency (cost-effectiveness) and precision of selection for the best trait combinations in sugar beet. We will utilize gained molecular knowledge to enhance the germplasm via various breeding approaches such as transferring disease resistance gene(s) from wild relatives via conventional strategies at the time being. Several populations, including mapping populations will be developed and studied to assess extent of linkage disequilibrium and association mapping in sugar beet.

The program is fully integrated with the sugar beet industry needs through collaboration with the sugar beet growers associations and the Beet Sugar Development Foundation.

Publications

• Eujayl, I., Sledge, M., Wang, L., May, G., Chekhovskiy, K., Zwonitzer, J., Mian, R. (2004). Medicago truncatula EST-SSRs reveal cross-species genetic markers for Medicago spp. and related legumes. Theor. Appl. Genet. 108:414-422
• Eujayl, I., Sorrells, M., Baum, M., Wolters, P., Powell, W. (2002). Isolation of EST derived microsatellite markers for genotyping the A and B genomes of wheat. Theor. Appl. Genet. 104:399-407.
• Saha, M., Mian, R., Eujayl. I., Zwonitzer, J., Wang, L., May, G. (2004). Tall fescue EST-SSR markers with transferability across several grass species. Theor. Appl. Genet.109:783-791
• Belabid, L., Baum, M., Fortas, Z., Bouznad, Z., Eujayl, I. (2004) Pathogenic and genetic characterization of Algerian isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp lentis by RAPD and AFLP analysis. African J. Biotech. 3(1):25-31.
• Eujayl, I., Morris, C. Identification of differentially expressed genes in wheat developing seed using digital differential display. (Submitted- 2006 Theor. Appl. Genet.).
• Eujayl, I., Sorrells, M., Baum, M., Wolters, P., Powell, W. (2001). Assessment of genotypic variation among cultivated durum wheat based on EST-SSRs and genomic SSRs. Euphytica 119(1): 39-43.
• Eujayl, I., Erskine, W., Baum, M., Pehu., E. (1999). Inheritance and linkage analysis of frost injury in lentil. Crop Sci. 39:639- 642.
• Eujayl, I., Bayaa, B., Erskine, W., Baum, M., Pehu, E. (1998). Fusarium vascular wilt in lentil: Inheritance and identification of DNA markers for resistance. Plant Breeding 117:497-499.
• Eujayl, I., Baum, M., Erskine, W., Powell, W., Pehu, E. (1998). A genetic linkage map of Lens sp. based on RAPD and AFLP markers using recombinant inbred lines. Theor. Appl. Genet. 97:83-89.
• Eujayl, I., Baum, M. Erskine, W, Pehu., E., Muhelbauer, F. J. (1997).The use of RAPD markers for lentil genetic mapping and the evaluation of distorted F2 segregation. Euphytica 96: 405-412.
• Mmbaga, M. T., Eujayl, I., Sheng, H. (2001). Resistance to powdery mildew in Cornus florida. Phytopathology 91:S64.
• Labaheilili, M., Eujayl, I. (1997). Techniques in biomolecular analysis (SSRs and AFLPs). IPGRI Newsletter No.14.
• Eujayl, I. (1995). Tracing resistance genes using DNA markers. IPGRI Newsletter No. 5.
• Eujayl, I. (1998). Ph.D. Dissertation: Use of DNA markers for genetic linkage mapping and analysis of biotic and abiotic stresses in Lentil (Lens sp.).
• Eujayl, I. (1992). M.S. Thesis: Anther culture, in vitro plant regeneration and detection of somaclonal variation using DNA fingerprinting in Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.).
• Eujayl, I., Morris, C.F. (2004). Wheat UniGene: A Resource for Discovery of Differentially Expressed Genes Regulating Endosperm Texture. Proceedings of the Plant and Animal Genome Conference XII, San Diego, CA. USA.
• Eujayl, I., Morris, C.F., Bettge, A. (2003). Characterization and molecular-genetics analysis of a novel �super-soft� kernel trait of club wheat. Proceedings of the Plant and Animal Genome Conference XI, San Diego, CA. USA.
• Eujayl, I., Mian, R. (2002). Transferability of genomic and EST-SSRs from rice, ryegrass, barley and wheat to tall fescue. Proceeding of the Plant and Animal Genome conference X, San Diego, CA, USA.
• Mian, R., Wang, Z., Eujayl, I., Zhang, J., Chen, L., Scott, A., Gonzalez, R., Hopkins, A., May, G. (2002). EST expression analysis in tall fescue. Proceeding of the Plant and Animal Genome conference X, San Diego, CA, USA.
• Eujayl, I., Baum, M., Erskine, W., Powell, W., Pehu, E. (1995). Development of a genetic linkage map for lentil based on RAPD markers. Proceeding of the 2nd European Conference on grain legumes, pp 440-441, Denmark.
• Eujayl, I., Pehu, E. (1994). DNA markers assisted selection in lentil breeding. International conference on global genetic resources; heritage of mankind. Vavilov institute, St. Petersburg, Russia.