Papius Dias | Genetics and Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Papius Dias | Genetics and Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

Senior Scientist, National Agricultural Research Organization, Uganda

Dr. Papius Dias Tibihika is a renowned Ugandan scientist specializing in molecular genetics, biodiversity, and aquaculture. With a PhD in natural resources and a focus on fisheries and aquaculture sciences, he has significantly contributed to the understanding and conservation of Nile tilapia and other aquatic species in East Africa. Dr. Tibihika currently serves as the Senior Researcher and Head of the Aquaculture Research and Development Centre at the National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NaFIRRI) in Uganda.

Profile

Scopus

Education 🎓

2024: Certificate in the Training of Trainers (ToT) for Youth Agribusiness Development, Korea Agribusiness Innovation Centre, Kampala, Uganda

2023: Certificate in Genomic Landscape of Southern Africa Biodiversity, University of South Africa (UNISA)

2022: Certificate in Statistical Data Analysis using R Programming Language, Kampala, Uganda

2021: Certificate in Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, BecA-ILRI Nairobi, Kenya

2021: Certificate in Global Observatory of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Instruments (GO→SPIN), UNESCO, Kampala, Uganda

2016-2019: PhD in Natural Resources – Molecular Genetics and Biodiversity in Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, Austria

2009-2011: MSc. Aquaculture and Fisheries, Wageningen University and Research Centre, The Netherlands (WUR)

2004-2007: BSc Fisheries and Aquaculture, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda

2002-2003: Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE), Mbarara Modern High School

Experience 💼

2024 to date: Senior Researcher/Head of Aquaculture Research and Development Centre, NaFIRRI, Uganda

Research Interests 🔬

Dr. Tibihika’s research interests focus on the genetic structure, biodiversity, and conservation of aquatic species, particularly Nile tilapia. He is also interested in the application of molecular biology and bioinformatics in understanding the ecological dynamics and translocation of aquatic species in East Africa.

Publications  Top Notes📚

Unlocking Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, Linn. 1758) selective breeding programs in Uganda through geographical genetic structure mapping. Aquaculture, Fish and Fisheries, 2024. Link

Exploring the morphological dynamics of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus Linn. 1758) in Victoria Nile as depicted from geometric morphometrics. BMC Zoology, 2023. Link

Understanding the translocation dynamics of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and its ecological consequences in East Africa. African Zoology, 2022. Link

Improved protection of biodiversity, in relation to conservation of native species of tilapias in the EAC region. Annual narrative report, European Commission, 2023. Link

Introgressive hybridization levels of Tilapiines species in Lake Victoria basin, Kenya inferred from microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA genotyping based on next-generation sequencing. Conservation Genetics, 2022. Link