About
I work at the intersection of field breeding, quantitative genetics, high-throughput phenotyping, computer vision, robotics, and environmental prediction.
Biography
Paul Motunrayo Adunola is a plant breeder and Research Assistant Scientist in the University of Florida Blueberry Breeding & Genomics Lab, where he leads the Phenomics and Digital Breeding Team. His research integrates plant breeding, high-throughput phenotyping, computer vision, robotics, quantitative genetics, genomics, and environmental information to improve selection decisions and cultivar development.
His current research includes robotic and image-based blueberry yield phenotyping, computer vision for plant health, cultivar development for robotic harvesting, multi-domain prediction of blueberry yield, genotype-by-environment analysis, target-environment prediction, and breeder-facing recommendation systems.
Paul earned a Ph.D. in Horticultural Science from the University of Florida. His earlier training in plant breeding and crop science spans France, Finland, Nigeria, and the United States. He has also worked in breeding and quantitative genetics roles with KWS, Corteva Agriscience, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, and the University of Florida.
He values interdisciplinary collaboration, mentoring, and research that can move from analysis to practical use in breeding programs. Outside research, he enjoys travel, music, small-canvas acrylic painting, cooking, and pickleball.
Experience & education
University of Florida · Blueberry Breeding & Genomics Lab
Lead the Phenomics and Digital Breeding Team. Develop research lines in robotics, computer vision, high-throughput phenotyping, multi-domain data integration, target-environment prediction, and decision support for cultivar development.
University of Florida
Applied computer vision, AI, robotics, multi-domain prediction, and digital tools to blueberry breeding and phenotyping.
University of Florida
Blueberry breeding, genomic and phenomic prediction, G×E, field phenotyping, computer vision, gene discovery, and selection.
2021 · KWS, Germany
Sugar beet breeding intern — root imaging and trial analysis.
2020 · Corteva Agriscience, France
Maize breeding intern — disease phenotyping and trial analysis.
2020 · University of Florida
Quantitative genetics intern — genomic prediction and stability analysis.
2016–2017 · Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria
Graduate research assistant — field trials in maize, soybean, sorghum, and Bambara groundnut.
2012 · International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Nigeria
Cassava breeding intern — characterization and postharvest evaluation.
University of Florida · Gainesville, USA
Optimization of phenomic and genomic selection and assessment of genotype-by-environment interaction in blueberry fruit-quality traits.
UniLaSalle, France · University of Helsinki, Finland
Identification and expression of putative seed lipoxygenase genes in faba bean.
Federal University of Technology Akure · Nigeria
Marker-assisted introgression of the Opaque-2 gene into popcorn.
Federal University of Technology Akure · Nigeria
Capabilities
Computer vision, high-throughput phenotyping, image-based phenotyping, near-infrared spectroscopy, object detection, robotics, and automation.
Genomic and phenomic prediction, GWAS, QTL mapping, genomic selection, G×E, sparse testing, and target-environment prediction.
Mixed models, Bayesian analysis, machine learning, regression, ANOVA, multi-environment analysis, stability analysis, and decision support.
Selection, phenotyping, field trials, pollination, germplasm management, project leadership, mentoring, stakeholder communication, and research coordination.
Research presentations in plant phenomics, genomic prediction, G×E, and multi-domain breeding, plus guest teaching in blueberry breeding, genomic selection, R, QTL mapping, and GWAS.
Founder and fundraising/budgeting lead for Edu-Kids Foundation; judge for SwampHacks X; former secretary of MANRRS and the UF Plant Science Council.
In the work
All research and professional images used for this website are linked here. Click any image to open the full version.
Service
I founded Edu-Kids Foundation to support the educational and social welfare needs of orphans and vulnerable children in Nigeria. The organization works to reduce barriers to education through student support, food assistance, scholarships, sanitary-hygiene support, counseling, and monitoring.
Visit Edu-Kids FoundationContact
I am interested in collaborations that connect breeding, phenomics, quantitative genetics, environmental prediction, and useful digital tools.
University of Florida · Gainesville, Florida, USA
