Kifah Gharzeddin
Visiting Professor
| Degrees: | Ph.D., Tishreen University (2017) M.Sc., Damascus University (2012) B.Sc., Damascus University (2007) |
| Email: | KifahGharzeddin@cunet.carleton.ca |
| Website: | Rowland Lab |
About
Dr. Kifah Gharzeddin is a pulse breeder and has been a Visiting Professor affiliated with The Rowland Lab in the Department of Biology since 2020. At Carleton University, Dr. Gharzeddin has developed a chickpea breeding program, the first of its kind in Ontario. This research uses state-of-the-art molecular and genomic tools and is being done in collaboration with national and international research institutions as well as with plant growers in Eastern Ontario. Between 2008 and 2017, Kifah led the national faba bean breeding program in Syria in partnership with the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). Dr. Gharzeddin is currently associated with the soybean breeding and genetics program as a Visiting Scientist in the lab of Professor Istvan Rajcan at the Department of Plant Agriculture of the University of Guelph.
The overall research approach of Dr. Gharzeddin is to use multi-faceted breeding methods to increase the yield and stress resistance of pulse crops in targeted environments. This includes genomic approaches to study the genetic variation of complex agronomic traits of pulse crops, combined with phenotypic profiling at field sites. Dr. Gharzeddin is interested in applying breeding approaches towards sustainable enhancement of food crops for eco-friendly food production.
At Carleton University, Kifah works closely with committee leads, faculty members, and activists dedicated to academic freedom and justice. Kifah is a Member of the Royal Society of Canada College of New Scholars and a young affiliate with the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) where he is involved in TWAS efforts towards scientific progress in developing nations.