Prof. Ed Rege a Kenyan, undertook his BSc in Agriculture at the University of Nairobi, Kenya, and MSc (Animal Genetics) & PhD (Genetics) at the University of California, Davis in California, USA. He taught Animal Genetics and Breeding at the University of Nairobi between 1980 and 1990 and was Head of Animal Breeding and Genetics between 1987 and 1990. In 1991 he joined the International Livestock Centre for Africa (ILCA), now International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). At ILRI he established the global program on Animal Genetic Resources, later to become a CGIAR flagship which has made significant contributions to the understanding of domestic animal genetic resources diversity and associated human capacity strengthening in both Africa and Asia. He was Director of ILRI’s Global Biotechnology Program from 2002 to 2009 when he retired and founded Emerge Centre for Innovations–Africa (ECI-Africa), a not-for profit organization that supports agricultural R&D and rural development in Africa.
Ed has supervised and examined a large number of PhD and MSc students across Africa. He has authored or co‑authored over 230 publications, including 194 peer-reviewed scientific articles and technical papers in conference proceedings, and 8 book chapters. Ed’s career has primarily focused on enhancing understanding and utilization of African livestock, with a special focus on smallholder systems and supporting institutional processes – including partnerships and leadership – that enhance voice and empowerment of beneficiaries and improves transparency and delivery of results.
Since 2018, Ed has been a Visiting Professor of Genetics and Animal Breeding at the Centre of Excellence for Livestock Innovation and Business, Egerton University, Kenya.