Dr. Titus Alicai

Dr. Titus Alicai is the new Director of Research for National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), Namulonge, an institute of National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO). He previously served in the same position for one year (2023-2024) at Rwebitaba Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute. Dr. Alicai joined NARO in 2000 initially as project research scientist. He obtained full time appointment with NARO in 2001 as a Research Officer, rose to the top most professional rank of Senior Principal Research Officer, which followed by appointment to his current position. Dr. Titus Alicai is an accomplished plant health scientist with 27 years’ experience in design, leadership and implementation of impactful agricultural research interventions.

He has a PhD in Plant Virology from University of Greenwich (UK) awarded in 2003. He also holds Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, both obtained at Makerere University. Dr. Alicai served as a Post-Doctoral Scientist at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, Missouri, USA. His technical research skills and experience cover plant virology, biotechnology, biosafety, confined and regulatory field trials, tissue culture, genetic transformation, molecular biology and molecular diagnostics. Dr. Alicai also has contemporary expertise in gene discovery, bioinformatics, epidemiology, seed systems, genetic resources conservation, research product development, deployment and commercialization.

He has a very strong research track record with 2 patents, 114 publications in peer-reviewed journals (Google scholar ID), conference papers, or published as books, book chapters and manuals. He serves as a reviewer several international journals and donor agencies. He is a graduate supervisor (supervised 18 PhD and 17 M.Sc. students), doctoral committee member, mentor, opponent or external examiner at local and international universities. Dr. Alicai has significantly contributed to control of major plant disease epidemics, scaling innovations, development, release and dissemination of dozens of improved crop varieties. He has successfully mobilized funds for scientific work and contributed to development of agricultural research infrastructure in Uganda.

Dr. Alicai is a recipient of 6 recognition awards, including as runner-up, Annual Agriculture Awards 2023 – Agriculture Research Award Category and that for ‘Outstanding Performance as a Scientist in NARO’. He is a board member of the global Community Network for African Vector Borne plant viruses and two other institutions. Dr. Alicai is a member of several professional bodies, technical committees and working groups. He has a wide range of partnerships globally, and successfully led large teams at tactical, operational and strategic levels. His hobbies include reading, sports (especially aerobics, walking, playing football and golf), listening to music and watching comedy.