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Samuel Obae Ph.D.
Professor
Biological Sciences | Fine School of the Sciences
Education
- Ph.D., Plant and Soil Sciences, West VirginiaUniversity (2010)
- M.S., Applied Ecology and Conservation Biology, Frostburg State University (2005)
- B.S., Botany and Chemistry, University of Nairobi (2000)
Professional Experience
- STEVENSON UNIVERSITY
Professor of Biology, July 2022 – Present
Associate Professor of Biology, July 2019 – June 2022
Assistant Professor of Biology, August 2013 – June 2019 - UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Plant Science, July 2010-July 2013
Research
My research focuses on plant population genetics, conservation biology, molecular markers, and phytochemistry. Specifically, I investigate how various anthropogenic activities affect the genetics and population structure of high value medicinal plants and threatened species. Also, I research on how in vitro techniques can be utilized to produce valuable phytochemicals in order to reduce reliance on wild sources.
Publications
- Brand, M.H., S.G. Obae, B.A. Connolly and J. Mahoney 2022. Ploidy, genetic diversity and speciation of the genus Aronia. Scientia Horticulturae 291:110604.[Link]
- Obae, S.G., M.H. Brand, B.A. Connolly, R. Beasley, and S. Lance. 2017. Microsatellite markers for Aronia melanocarpa (black chokeberry) and their transferability to other Aronia species. HortScience, 52(1):20-23[Link]
- Lambert, K. A.* and S.G. Obae. 2016. Molecular characterization of Berberis thunbergii cultivars using microsatellite markers. Journal of Horticultural Science & Biotechnology, 91(2):156–160. [Link]
- Obae, S.G. and M.H. Brand. 2014. Analysis of ploidy, genetic diversity and speciation of the genus Aronia. HortScience 49(9): S247. [Abstr.]
- Obae, S.G., B.A. Connolly, and M.H. Brand. 2013. Genetic relationship among four Crocanthemum species (Cistaceae) revealed by Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism markers. Journal of the Torrey Botanical 140(2): 170—180. [Link]
- Leonard, P.J., M.H. Brand, B.A. Connolly, and S.G. Obae. 2013. Investigation of the origin of Aronia mitschurinii using Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism analysis. HortScience 48 (5): 520—524. [Link]
- Obae, S.G., M. H. Brand, and R.C. Kaitany. 2013. Using Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism markers to confirm identity and correct labeling of Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii) cultivars in the market. HortScience 48 (2): 150—157. [Link]
- Allen, J.M, S.G. Obae, M.H. Brand, J.A. Silander, K.L. Jones, S.O. Nunziata, and S.L. Lance. 2012. Development and characterization of microsatellites markers for Berberis thunbergii (Berberidaceae). American Journal of Botany 99 (5): e220—e222. [Link]
- Obae, S.G and T.P. West. 2012. Nuclear DNA content and genome size of American ginseng. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research 6(32):4719—4723. [Link]
- Obae, S.G and T.P. West. 2012. Variation of ginsenosides profiles and content among root morphotypes of American ginseng: Economic implications for the grower. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research 6(22): 3889—3897.
- Obae, S.G and T.P. West. 2011. Effects of anthropogenic activities on genetic diversity and population structure of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) growing in West Virginia. Journal of Horticulture and Forestry 3 (9): 270—281.
- Obae, S.G, H. Klandorf, and T.P. West. 2011. Growth characteristics and ginsenoside production of in vitro tissues of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.). HortScience 46 (8): 1136—1140. [Link]
- Obae, S.G and T.P. West. 2010. Nuclear DNA content of Hydrastis canadensis and genome size stability of in vitro regenerated plantlets. Plant cell, Tissue and Organ Culture 102 (2): 259—263. [Link*Undergraduate Mentee
Teaching
- BIO 112 – Principals of General Biology I
- BIO 113 – General Biology I (Cell Biology and Genetics)
- BIO 114 – General Biology II (Structure and Function of Organisms)
- BIO 210 – Plant Science
- BIO 235L – Diversity of Life
- BIO 365 – Independent Research in Biology
- BIO 440 – Seminar Topics in Biology
- BIO 450 – Senior Research Capstone
- BIO 455 – Senior Internship Capstone
- ENV 280 – Environmental Soil Science
- CHEM 203L – Environmental Chemistry Lab
- SCI 100 – School of Sciences New Student Seminar
Highlights
Recent Professional Presentations
2018
- Umali, J. G* and Obae, S.G. Phytochemical and genetic analysis of American mayapple. Botany 2018, Rochester, MN.
- Robinson, A. D* and Obae, S.G. Deciphering the Speciation of Crocanthemum genus and assessing the genetic diversity of its species using AFLP Markers. 35th Mid-Atlantic Plant Molecular Biology Society, Laurel, MD.
- Scholze, B. G* and Obae, S.G. Evaluating genetic variation of aronia germplasm accessions using novel SSR markers. 35th Mid-Atlantic Plant Molecular Biology Society, Laurel, MD.
2017
- Obae, S.G., M.H. Brand, B.A. Connolly, R. Beasley, and S. Lance. Microsatellite markers for Aronia melanocarpa (black chokeberry) and their transferability to other Aronia species. Botany 2017 Conference, Fort Worth, TX. Chaudhry, S* and Obae, S.G. Genetic Diversity of Aronia melanocarpa germplasm accessions based on novel microsatellite markers. Botany 2017 Conference, Fort Worth, TX.
- Umali, J. G* and Obae, S.G. Phytochemical and genetic analysis of american mayapple (podophyllum peltatum). 2017 WBHR–LSAMP Annual Summer Research Symposium at Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD.
2015
- Kerry Lambert* and S. G. Obae. Molecular identification of Japanese barberry cultivars using microsatelite markers. A poster presentation at the 32nd Mid-Atlantic Plant Molecular Biology Society, Beltsville, MD
2014
- Obae, S.G. and M.H. Brand. Analysis of ploidy, genetic diversity and speciation of the genus Aronia. A poster presentation at the 111th Annual Conference of American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), Orlando, FL.
*Undergraduate Mentee
Research Projects and Funding
2018
- Stevenson University Summer Science Scholar Program, $5,500. Principle Investigator. “Assessing the genetic diversity of aronia germplasm collection using novel genomic microsatellite markers and correlating genotype and phenotype profiles.”
2017
- FSU Subcontract Grant $9,000. Principle Investigator. “Crocanthemum dumosum (Bushy Rockrose) Genetics.”
- SU Faculty Research Scholarship Grant $2,500. Principle Investigator. “SU-Virtual Plant Walk (SU-VPW): An online resource for teaching plant identification and exploring SU flora.”
- Stevenson University Summer Science Scholar Program, $5,500. Principle Investigator. “In search of the super herb: Correlating genotypic and phytochemical profiles in American mayapple.”
2016
- Stevenson University Summer Science Scholar Program, $4,400. Principle Investigator. “Cross-species amplification of microsatellite markers in Podophyllum, genetic diversity and phytochemical analysis of American mayapple accessions in Maryland.”
2015
- Stevenson University, School of the Sciences Seed Grant, $8,096. Principle Investigator. “Development and Characterization of Microsatellite Markers for Aronia, an Emerging Nutraceutical Fruit Crop.”
- Stevenson University Summer Science Scholar Research Program, $5,500. Principle Investigator. “Genetic diversity and population structure of wild American mayapple populations in Maryland.”
2014
- Stevenson University Summer Science Scholar Research Program, $5,500. Principle Investigator. “Assessment of Genetic diversity and population structure of Podophyllum peltatum, and Molecular identification of Berberis thurnbergii cultivars using simple sequence repeat markers.”
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