Mawuko Gabriel Ahiable

Detailed Ph.D. Researcher, adept at developing probing questions, designing experiments and generating meaningful results. Enthusiastic about supporting advancements in the application of genetics in fish disease control, sustainable aquaculture and fisheries management. Work effectively and collaboratively with teams and individuals.

• Lead Investigator, 2020 - Date, Genetic Pollution Threats to the West African Nile Tilapia Strains through Aquaculture, Successfully differentiated and categorized the genetic threats posed by a locally improved tilapia strain and the GIFT tilapia to wild populations of the genetically unique West African Nile tilapia., Drafted a manuscript for publication in a peer-review journal and submitted the same to my supervisor and a collaborator for review., Leading and coordinating fish sampling in Ghana and sample transport to Japan., DNA extraction, PCR, and nucleotide sequencing, Bioinformatic and statistical analysis of genetic differentiation among samples using tools like Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis software version X (MEGA X), ARLEQUIN in the R-Software, PopArt and the SPSS software, Drafting manuscript for publication in a reputable peer review journal, Investigating the extent of the threats, with samples from more land-based production systems, for comprehensive policy decision by stakeholders.
• Ph.D. Researcher, 2021 - Date, Isobutyl Cyanoacrylate Nanoparticles (iBCA-NPs) as Novel Antibacterial Agents for controlling bacterial infections in aquaculture., Becoming the first student, since 2016, from my current laboratory of studies to successfully complete his Ph.D. within the stipulated three years period haven successfully fulfilled most of the requirements to be awarded a Ph.D. in sustainable aquaculture., Produced the first report on the antibacterial activity of iBCA-NPs against Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria., Proved that the iBCA-NPs can be administered in-feed to fish without any adverse effects to the fish., Demonstrated that the oral administration of the iBCA-NPs to rainbow trout could significantly reduce mortality to fish by the beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection., Drafted two manuscripts, one of which has already been published in a reputable peer-reviewed scientific journal., Presented findings of this work in an international symposium and a national scientific conference., Culminated into a master’s and a Ph.D. thesis., Designing in vitro laboratory and in vivo field experiments to test the efficacy of the iBCA-NPs against some important bacterial pathogens of fish., Molecularly confirming the species of the bacterial pathogens, Coordinating and supervising master’s and undergraduate students to execute laboratory and field experiments to test the efficacy of the iBCA-NPs against the bacteria strains., Coordinating and analyzing data for scientific publications and conference presentations., Drafting manuscripts for publication in reputable peer-reviewed scientific journals., Preparing a Ph.D. dissertation and assisting other students on the project with their dissertations.
• Master’s Student, 2019 - 2021, Species Diversity and Genetic Integrity of Farmed Tilapia in Ghana and Wild Tilapia samples in Japan using Mitochondria D-Loop DNA, Earned a master’s degree in Fish Genetics from the Kochi University, Japan., Sampling tilapia from the wild across Japan, and aquaculture tilapia landings from fish farms in Ghana., DNA extraction, PCR, and nucleotide sequencing of the samples, Using molecular bioinformatic tools to analyze the DNA nucleotide sequences for haplotypic and nucleotypic diversity between and among populations sampled., Drafting and submitting a dissertation in partial fulfillment of requirements for the award of a master’s degree in Fish Genetics.
• Biology Tutor, 2016 - 2018, Nkwatia Presbyterian Senior High School, Nkwatia, Kwahu, Ghana., Taught first-year and second-year Elective/Pure and Core Biology to the 2016 – 2019 high school year group., Got the Headmistress’ special mention as a devoted and hardworking tutor., Whipped up interest in many students for biology, science, and education., Assessed more than a thousand students per term and delivered both their scores and marked scripts of tests and examinations., Voluntarily took up additional roles as the additional (Elective/Pure) mathematics tutor for a year group, for one academic term when the tutor in charge was taken ill and the students were left without a tutor., Laid the foundation for what became one of the strongest Mathematics and Science Teams in the district and region, an underdog that gave champions like Achimota School a run for their money in the 2019 edition of the National Maths and Science Quiz in Ghana., Mentored many students who have made it to tertiary schools like universities and have kept good grades., Developing and implementing engaging lesson plans and practical activities based on the curriculum to enhance critical thinking and learning., Ensuring professional classroom management and comprehensible lesson delivery., Developing special tutoring programs for students who need additional support., Regularly assessing the students through class exercises, assignments, and tests., Recording the performance of each student in their terminal and cumulative reports., Attending tutors' meetings and parents’ and teachers’ association meetings., Working with other tutors on interdisciplinary and other extracurricular activities.
• Research Team Member, Feb - May 2016, Fish Stock Assessments for Some Commercially Important Fish Species Landed in Ghana (Principal Investigator: Professor Patrick Ofori Danson), a component of the USAID/UCC Fisheries and Coastal Management Capacity Building Support Project in Ghana., Successfully supplied data to the Principal Investigator for the compilation of Technical Reports to the USAID., Visiting the major marine fish landing sites across Ghana to collect data on fish landings and fishing efforts through questionnaires, take water quality parameters, GPS Coordinates, and fish samples for further analysis., Determining the species diversity, sex and size distribution, reproductive trends, and feeding habits of the fish samples., Presenting the data to the Principal Investigator.
• Research Assistant, Mar. 2016 - Aug. 2016, Assessment of the Reproductive Trends, Food and Feeding Habits and Parasites of the Bigeye Grunt (Brachydeuterus auratus) and the Silver Catfish (Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus) landed in Ghana. (A trans-departmental project by the University of Ghana, headed by Professor Steve Dadzie)., Successfully assisted three undergraduate students to submit and defend their thesis for the award of BSc. Honors Degrees by the University of Ghana., Coordinating three undergraduate students for sampling of fish from the landing sites., Training the students to take relevant morphometrics, dissect the fish, determine the sex of the fish, and examine the gonads, the guts, and gut contents., Assisting the students to gather and analyze the data., Guiding the students to write and defend their theses for graduation., Analyzing the data and submitting the same to the Head of the Project.
• Teaching Assistant, Aug. 2012 - Aug. 2014, Department of Animal Biology and Conservation Science (DABCS) – University of Ghana, Legon, Adjudged as one of the best teaching assistants and consequently employed for an additional year., Moderated experiments in all courses, including fisheries biology, entomology, and vertebrate biology, which I was assigned to., Assessed the laboratory workbooks of more than a hundred students and submitted the results and reports to the professors in charge of the courses., Worked with Professors to execute classes for undergraduate students., Closely guided one student to produce and defend a thesis on fish reproductive biology., Helping the respective Professors to set up the laboratory for undergraduate experiments for the respective courses., Moderating each lab session, guiding students and answering their questions., Assessing the laboratory workbooks of the students and submitting reports to the professor., Setting up classrooms and helping professors deliver lecture sessions., Attending meetings and moderation sessions for teaching assistants., Doing other duties as assigned by the professors.

• Japanese MEXT Scholarship, 2018 - Date, For Graduate Studies and Research (Genetics and Sustainable Aquaculture)
• Ghana GETFund Scholarship, 2014 - 2015, Graduate Tuition Fees (MSc. Fisheries Management)
• Student Aid Scholarship, 2010 - 2012, Tuition Fees Support for Brilliant but Needy Students
• Ghana COCOBOD Scholarship, 2004 - 2007, High School Tuition Cover
• First Runner-up, National Presidential Debate, Ghana, 2006
• Best Student, B.E.C.E., Kwahu South District, Eastern Region, 2004

• Prof. Syun-ichirou Oshima, Ph.D. Advisor, Kochi University, Nankoku Kochi 783-8502, Kochi, Japan, Tel& Fax: 81-88-864-5214, s-oshima@kochi-u.ac.jp
• Prof. Shingo Seki, Supervisor, Ghana Tilapia Genetic Threat Project, Former Academic Advisor, Kochi University, TEL：088-864-5153 (+81-88-864-5153), seki@kochi-u.ac.jp
• Dr. Samuel Addo, Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, University of Ghana , Legon, samuel.addo@fulbrightmail.org