Khadija Sabir researches the impact of climate change on plant traits.
Khadija Sabir
From Punjab to plant research
In our series “My Personal KWS Journey,” we focus on the stories of colleagues and how they came to join KWS. This time it’s the turn of Khadija Sabir from Research & Development in Einbeck.
In the field, Khadija is using drones for automated, large-scale plant phenotyping.
The journey takes us to the heart of Punjab, a region in Pakistan. Khadija Sabir grew up in a small rural village near the city of Shorkot, where farming is not just a profession but a way of life. From her childhood, Khadija experienced this at first hand – surrounded by fields and farms, the seasons dictated the rhythm of her life. So, it was only natural that she went on to study Plant Breeding & Genetics at the Faculty of Agriculture in Faisalabad.
2016 marked a key turning point in Khadija’s life: She was awarded the prestigious Erasmus Mundus scholarship for an international master’s degree in Plant Health in Spain and France. That sounds like a great opportunity, but it wasn’t a simple decision for Khadija and her family. “No girl from our community had ever gone abroad to study before,” she says. Persuading her parents wasn’t easy, but after many discussions and conversations, Khadija was finally able to set off for Europe.
During her master’s program, she discovered digital plant modelling, with a particular focus on the dynamics of pests and diseases. This interest then led to a genuine career in research: She began her doctoral studies at Leibniz University Hanover – where she first came into contact with KWS.
“No girl from our community had ever gone abroad to study before”
Khadija Sabir
Accolade for research
“Some of the varieties in my trial pool were from KWS,” recalls Khadija. “When I took a closer look at the company, I was particularly impressed by its commitment to innovation and long-term sustainability in agriculture.” Khadija then began searching specifically for positions at KWS and came across one in Quantitative Traits & Digital Phenotyping, which she has held since November 2024.
Although she hasn’t been with us long, Khadija has already grown into her role, supporting breeding decisions with her results and working at the interface between quantitative genetics, digital phenotyping and plant modelling. Her task involves optimizing management as well as integrating environmental and phenotypic data so as to gain a better understanding of the complexity and uncertainty that climate change entails for plant traits.
One highlight this year: Khadija won the Women in Triticum Early Career Award from the Borlaug Global Rust Institute for her doctoral research, as well as for the leadership potential and intercultural competence she demonstrated. Inaugurated 15 years ago, it is bestowed on young researchers for outstanding new findings. Part of the award was also the chance to participate in a major conference in Vancouver, which she attended on behalf of KWS – the first time she had the honor of representing KWS on the global stage. For many, this would be the highlight of their career – but for Khadija, direct dialogue within the team remains the most important thing:
“Working together with my colleagues empowers me every day,” she says. “The discussions often spark new ideas, and I find that inspirational time and again.” |
INFO
We are looking for more exciting and inspiring journeys from colleagues in our company. Wherever you work, if you know someone whose personal story can motivate and encourage others, we would love to hear from you. Please send your recommendations to: KWSintern@kws.com |
© KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA 2025
