Damaris Achieng Odeny (PhD) is a plant molecular breeder currently leading the global research cluster, Genomics, Pre-breeding and Bioinformatics, within the Accelerated Crop Improvement (ACI) program at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). She has led and implemented genomics projects in both cereals and legumes, including the development of genomic resources in several underutilized crops. Damaris works closely with other disciplines from national, private and international institutes to develop cutting edge genomic resources for all ICRISAT mandate crops (sorghum, pearl and finger millet, groundnut, chickpea and pigeonpea) in her current role. Prior to this, she worked as a senior researcher at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), South Africa, where she implemented molecular breeding for several indigenous crops including sorghum, cassava, sweetpotato, African eggplant and amaranths. Damaris is also passionate about mentoring of young upcoming scientists and has successfully mentored more than fifty scientists in her career to date. She leads the Science and Publications Sub-committee of the African Plant Breeders Association. Damaris also serves as an Associate Editor in several molecular breeding related journals including Theoretical and Applied Genetics; Plants, People, Planets; The Plant Genome; Euphytica.