Dr. Deshi Kyenpiya Eunice

Dr. Kyenpiya Eunice Deshi is a Reader in the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology and a Deputy Director (Innovation and Entrepreneurship) at the TETFund Centre of Excellence in Food Security, at the University of Jos, Nigeria. She holds a Ph.D. in Plant Physiology and an M.Sc. in Cytogenetics and Plant Breeding.

She obtained trainings in: seed potato technology, certification and supply systems at Center for Development Innovation, Wageningen, the Netherlands; post-harvest management of maize, rice and legumes at the University of Sydney; Project Management Cycle at CRUDAN Headquarters, Jos; and Plant Breeding to Fight Hunger at Michigan State University, USA.

She has held several leadership roles in the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology at the University of Jos, including Post Graduate Programme Coordinator, Cytogenetics and Plant Breeding, Examination Officer, Level Coordinator, and Chairperson of Botanical Garden Committee of the Department.

She teaches and conducts research with both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Several of her research findings have been published in both local and international journals. She is a member of professional bodies such as Botanical Society of Nigeria, International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS), Genetics Society of Nigeria (GSN), African Potato Association (APA), and Plant Breeding Association of Nigeria (PBAN).

For her community service, she is involved with different organizations and communities, including Country Women Association of Nigeria (COWAN), GIZ, SASAKAWA Africa, National Potato Multistakeholder Forum, and SHARON Multipurpose Cooperative. She is the founder of RITDUN Integrated Farm Resources, a home garden where she grows exotic fruits and vegetables and provides professional services on the growth of exotic fruits to potential farmers. Schools and institutions visit the garden as a learning centre.