Elijah Atuku

B. S. A. in Agriculture
(University of Saskatchewan)
M. Sc. Biological Pest Control
(University of Saskatchewan)
Nucleopolyhedroviruses
Research Technician
Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada
Land Resource and
Environment Department

My career has spanned the fields of Agriculture and Applied Microbiology & Food Science. Currently a Soil Biochemistry Technician at the Semiarid Prairie Agricultural Research Center in Swift Current; Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada. I am part of a team working on the effects of fertilizer, fallow system, crop rotation (legumes and cereals) and tillage methods (zero and conventional) on nitrous oxide emissions. Nitrous oxide is an active agent in ozone destruction and global warming. Gas samples are taken from the field and analyzed by Gas Chromatography in the laboratory.

Both my degrees (BSA and MSc) were obtained at the University of Saskatchewan in 1997 and 2001 respectively. I have significant practical experience in greenhouse management, microbiological laboratory maintanance and upkeep and managing small Agricultural experimental plots. Well rounded knowledge and practical experience in environmental science, biological control and intergrated pests management.

I have significant experience in the study of insects and the use of entomopathogenic microorganisms, parasites, predators, etc in insect pests management. My MSc thesis was on the effects of temperature on nucleopolyhedrosis in the Bertha Armyworm. Bertha Armyworm is one of the most significant insect pests of canola in Western Canada.