Raphael Dzinyela

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Raphael Dzinyela

Major Professor: Rajan

Email: raphael.dzinyela@ou.edu

Hometown: Ghana

Education:

BSc. in Biochemistry, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana

MSc. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China

I developed a passion for biochemistry during my undergraduate studies, focusing on gene editing and protein engineering. My previous research includes studying phytohormones like melatonin and small RNAs in crop improvement, analyzing proteins in plant stress response pathways, and identifying hub genes in Populus trichocarpa. Currently, as a PhD student in biochemistry division at The University of Oklahoma under the guidance of Dr. Rajan, I am optimizing CRISPR/Cas9 and its variants to enhance genome-editing efficiency. I aspire to contribute to research-focused institutions or those integrating research and teaching

Publications & Awards

Publications

Alhassan, A.R., Dzinyela, R. (co-first author), Aghaei-Dargiri, S., Suglo, P., Yang, L., Movahedi, A., Regulatory roles of small RNAs in plant growth, breeding, and stress adaptation. Plant Growth Regulation. 2025, 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10725-024-01271-6
Dzinyela, R., Hwarari, D., Opoku, K.N., Yang, L., Movahedi, A., Enhancing Drought Stress Tolerance in Horticultural Plants through Melatonin-Mediated Phytohormonal Crosstalk. Plant Cell Reports. 2024, 43:272 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-024-03362-0
Guo, Z.; Dzinyela, R.; Yang, L.; Hwarari, D. bZIP Transcription Factors: Structure, Modification, Abiotic Stress Responses and Application in Plant Improvement. Plants 2024, 13, 2058. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13152058
Movahedi A.; Hwarari D.; Dzinyela R. (co-first author), Nia S.; Yang L. A close-up of regulatory networks and signaling pathways of MKK5 in biotic and abiotic stresses. Critical Reviews in Biotechnology, 2024, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/07388551.2024.2344584
Dzinyela R.; Hwarari, D.; Alhassan A. R.; Peter Suglo, P.; and Movahedi, A. Bioinformatics and expression analysis of the NRL gene family in Populus trichocarpa. Genetic Resource and Crop Evolution, 2024, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-024-02003-5
Dzinyela, R.; Alhassan, A.R.; Suglo, P.; Movahedi, A. Advanced study of functional proteins involved in salt stress regulatory pathways in plants. South African Journal of Botany, 2023, 159, 425-438. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2023.06.029
Dzinyela, R.; Alhassan, A.R.; Kiani-Pouya, A.; Rasouli, F.; Yang, L.; Movahedi, A. Role of small RNAs in plant stress response and their potential to improve crops. Crop & Pasture Science, 2023, 74(12), 1116-1127. https://doi.org/10.1071/CP22385
Movahedi, A.; Dzinyela, R. (co-first author); Aghaei-Dargiri, S.; Alhassan, A.R.; Yang, L.; Xu, C. Advanced Study of Drought-Responsive Protein Pathways in Plants. Agronomy, 2023, 13(3), 849. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13030849
Movahedi, A.; Wei, H. Alhassan, A.R., Dzinyela, R.; Wang, P., Sun, W.; Zhuge, Q., Xu, C. Evaluation of the Ecological Environment Affected by Cry1Ah1 in Poplar. Life, 2022, 12(11), 1830. https://doi.org/10.3390/life1211183 0

Awards

Nanjing Forestry University Scholarship Award (2022-2023)
Nanjing Forestry University Scholarship Award (2021-2022)
Nanjing Government Scholarship Postgraduate Award (2020-2021)