Ismail Rabbi is a molecular geneticist and breeder at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture in Ibadan, Nigeria. He works in the areas of genetics, genomics and crop improvement. Using high-density genotyping and intensive field phenotyping of large germplasm collections and breeding populations, he has contributed to the characterization of the genetic architecture of important traits, including pests and disease resistance, enhanced micronutrient density, starch and yield traits in cassava. He has developed a suite of DNA markers linked to these traits that are now used to make indirect selection in the field. Besides discovery-research, he works alongside breeders in the Next Generation Cassava Breeding Project (www.nextgencassava.org) to implement Genomic-Selection in the breeding workflow. Genomic selection helps shorten breeding cycle, increase selection accuracy and accelerate genetic gain. Within the CASS project, Ismail will implement confined field trials and enhance collaboration between CASS and NextGen Cassava through multi-omics phenotyping of cassava populations.