Saif Agha

Research Fellow

Contact details

Address

Street

The Roslin Institute
Easter Bush Campus
Midlothian

City
Post code
EH25 9RG

Biography

Background

Saif has graduated from the Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt in 2000. He occupies a teaching position in the same university since 2001. During his career, Saif has worked in 10 different research organizations in 5 countries as follows,

  • IRTA Research centre
  • Ain Shams University
  • Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh

Spain

Egypt

UK

2019-2020

2016-2019

2015
  • Polytechnic University of Valencia

Spain

2013-2015
  • Cordoba University

Spain

2012-2013
  • EPFL University

Switzerland

2011
  • Catholic University

Italy

2010-2011
  • Pavia University

Italy

2010
  • IRTA Research Institute

Spain

2007
  • Molise University

Italy

2005, 2008
  • ConSDABI Research Institute

Italy

2002
  • Ain Shams University

Egypt

2000-present

 

Saif speaks 4 languages fluently (English, Spanish, Italian, and Arabic).

 

Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in Animal Breeding (2011)
  • Master, in Animal Breeding (2006)
  • B.Sc. in Animal Production (2000)

Responsibilities & affiliations

Saif has received 11 grants from different international organizations, e.g. The British Council, European Commission, European Science Foundation.  

In 2019, he received the “Most downloaded paper award” from the International Society of Animal Genetics (ISAG).

Saif obtained the “Student of the year award” from Ain Shams University, Egypt, 2000.

Research summary

I hold a PhD in animal breeding and genetics since 2011. I have experience and interest in a broad range of activities related to the selective breeding and genetic improvement of performance, health and welfare of aquaculture species and livestock animals. My research interests include analyzing phenotypic and genomic data of different animal species (Fish, Pigs, Cattle, Buffalo, Sheep, Goat, and Rabbits), using Bayesian and Frequentist statistics; beside working in molecular genetics laboratories. 

My current research activities encompass the integration of social network analysis, quantitative genetics, and machine/deep learning to improve animal performance, welfare, and health. 

Project activity

Projects and awards: 

  • UK-Research and Innovation BBSRC grant “Partner with international researchers on AI for Bioscience, USA-UK Partnership” (2023-2025).
  • UK-Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF) grant, 2023.
  • UK-Research and Innovation BBSRC Impact Acceleration Accounts (IAA) grant, 2023.
  • UK-Research grant from the BBSRC Flexible Talent Mobility Account (FTMA), 2021.
  • UK-Research grant from the BBSRC Flexible Talent Mobility Account (FTMA), 2020.
  • ISAG-Most downloaded paper of the year award, Animal Genetics Journal, from International Society of Animal Genetics, ISAG-2019.
  • UK-Research grant from Newton Fund, British Council, 2015.
  • EU-research grant from EU-ERASMUS at Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain 2013.
  • EU-IAMZ grant from CIHEAM organization, Leon, Spain, 2013.
  • EU-research grant from European Science Foundation, EPFL university, Switzerland. 2011.
  • Research grant from Egyptian Academy of Science at Molise University, Italy, 2008. 
  • EU-research grant from European-SABRE project to work at IRTA Institute, Spain, 2007.
  • EU-research grant from TEMPUS to work at Molise University, Italy, 2005.
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