Recently graduated icipe scholars

Bethelihem Mekonnen Bekele

icipe postgraduate programme: ARPPIS PhD
Nationality: Ethiopia
University: University of Pretoria, South Africa
Thesis title: Development of Oecophylla longinoda-based semiochemical repellents: A new tool for crop protection against Fruit Flies
Date of graduation: 15 July 2021
Supervisors: Dr Emilie Deletre and Prof. Baldwyn Torto; Dr Sunday Ekesi (icipe); Prof. Christian Pirk and Dr Abdullahi Ahmed Yusuf (University of Pretoria, South Africa)
Project: Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement (CIRAD)
Funding: Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

Caroline Wanjiku Kungu

icipe postgraduate programme: ARPPIS PhD
Nationality: Kenya
University: University of Pretoria, South Africa
Thesis title: Development of surveillance tools for adult males of selected Afrotropical disease vectors
Date of graduation: 15 July 2021
Supervisors: Dr David P. Tchouassi and Prof. Baldwyn Torto (icipe); Prof. Catherine Sole and Prof. Christian Pirk (University of Pretoria, South Africa)
Project:
Funding: Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

Pascal Mahukpe Ayelo

icipe postgraduate programme: ARPPIS PhD
Nationality: Benin
University: University of Pretoria, South Africa
Thesis title: Recruitment of natural enemies with semiochemicals for tomato protection against Tuta absoluta and whiteflies.
Date of graduation: 15 July 2021
Supervisors: Dr Emilie Deletre and Dr Samira Mohamed (icipe); Dr Anaís Chailleux (CIRAD); Prof. Christian Pirk (University of Pretoria, South Africa)
Project: ECOPLUS funded by Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR), and HORTINET-CI funded by PreSed/CI
Funding: Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

Dennis Beesigamukama

icipe postgraduate programme: ARPPIS PhD
Nationality: Uganda
University: Kenyatta University, Kenya
Thesis title: Production of quality organic fertilizer from black soldier fly frass for crop production and soil health management
Date of graduation: 23 July 2021
Supervisors: Dr Chrysantus Tanga-Mbi; Dr Sunday Ekesi, Dr Fathiya Khamis, Dr Martha Musyoka and  Prof. Baldwyn Torto (icipe); Prof. Benson Mochoge and Dr. Nicholas K. Korir (Kenyatta University, Kenya)
Project: Insect feed for poultry and fish production in sub Saharan Africa (INSFEED) project (phase 2), funded through the Cultivate Africa’s Future (CultiAF) initiative, by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada, and Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)
Funding: Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada, and Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)

Hassaballa Iman Brema

icipe postgraduate programme: ARPPIS PhD
Nationality: Sudan
University: University of Pretoria, South Africa
Thesis title: Assessment of sand fly plant feeding behaviour in Baringo County, an endemic area for leishmaniasis and arboviruses in Kenya
Date of graduation: 15 July 2021
Supervisors: Dr David Tchouassi and Prof Baldwyn Torto (icipe); Prof. Catherine Sole (University of Pretoria, South Africa)
Project: German Research Foundation DFG
Funding: Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

Yosef Hamba Tola

icipe postgraduate programme: ARPPIS PhD
Nationality: Ethiopia
University: University of Pretoria, South Africa
Thesis title: Development of microbe-based strategies for improved bee health
Date of graduation: 15 July 2021
Supervisors: Dr Michael Lattorff; Dr Jeremy Herren and Dr Juan Paredes (icipe); Prof Bernard Slippers (University of Pretoria, South Africa)
Project: Newton grant
Funding: Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

Nadia Karelle Toukem

icipe postgraduate programme: ARPPIS PhD
Nationality: Cameroon
University: University of Pretoria, South Africa
Thesis title: Optimisation of key avocado pests for its effective integration with pollinator conservation efforts in Kenya
Date of graduation: 15 July 2021
Supervisors: Dr Thomas Dubois and Dr Samira Mohammed (icipe); Dr Abdullahi Ahmed Yusuf (University of Pretoria, South Africa)
Project: IPPM
Funding: Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

Godfrey Nattoh Indinda

icipe postgraduate programme: DRIP PhD
Nationality: Kenya
University: Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kenya
Thesis title: Native Mycobiomes of Anopheles: Their role on the Host Fitness, Transmission patterns and Interactions with Plasmodium Parasite
Date of graduation: 15 November 2021
Supervisors: Dr Jeremy Herren (icipe); Dr Joel Bargul (icipe and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kenya)
Project: symbionts with plasmodium berghei ANKA (pba) in a mice model
Funding:

Jane Wangure Mwangi

icipe postgraduate programme: DRIP MSc
Nationality: Kenya
University: Kenyatta University, Kenya
Thesis title: Assessment of survival rates and growth performance of Nile tilapia fed on cricket-based meal
Date of graduation: 23 July 2021
Supervisors: Dr Isaac Osuga and Dr Komi Fiaboe (icipe); Dr Purity Nguhiu (Kenyatta University, Kenya)
Project: Insect feed for poultry and fish production in sub–Saharan Africa (INSFEED) project (phase 2), funded through the Cultivate Africa’s Future (CultiAF) initiative, by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada, and Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)
Funding: International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada, and Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)

Josephine Nawire Simiyu

icipe postgraduate programme: DRIP MSc
Nationality: Kenya
University: Eldoret University, Kenya
Thesis title: Farmers' Perception, Prevalence, Lifecycle and Host plant Resistance of Fall Armyworm in Maize in Kenya
Date of graduation: 15 December 2021
Supervisors: Dr Tadele Tefera (icipe); Linnet Gohole (Eldoret University, Kenya)
Project: Rice, Maize and Chickpea IPM for East Africa Project
Funding: Virginia Polytechnic

Juliet Akoth Ochola

icipe postgraduate programme: DRIP MSc
Nationality: Kenya
University: Kenyatta University, Kenya
Thesis title: Identification of banana paper principles in delaying potato cyst nematode hatching
Date of graduation: 23 July 2021
Supervisors: Prof. Baldwyn Torto (icipe); Prof. Ahmed Hassanali (Kenyatta University, Kenya)
Project: Wrap and Plant Technology
Funding: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Sundry grants         

Mercy Jemutai Kibii

icipe postgraduate programme: DRIP MSc
Nationality: Kenya
University: University of Nairobi (UoN), Kenya
Thesis title: Diversity and performance of egg parasitoids of Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) on maize in Kenya
Date of graduation: 24 September 2021
Supervisors: Dr Sevgan Subramanian and Dr Samira Faris (icipe); Dr Felista Nzuve (University of Nairobi (UoN), Kenya)
Project: EU FALL ARMYWORM IPM
Funding: RUFORUM; EUROPEAN UNION(EU)

Henrick Kola Aduda

icipe postgraduate programme: DRIP MSc
Nationality: Kenya
University: Pwani University, Kenya
Thesis title: Characterization of transmission dynamics of recent vhf outbreaks in uganda
Date of graduation: 15 July 2021
Supervisors: Dr Dan Masiga (icipe); Dr Jonathan Kayondo; Dr Julius Lutwaama and Prof. Mathew Cotton (Uganda virus research institute); Dr Etienne de villiers (Pwani University, Kenya)
Project: Eastern Africa Network of Bioinformatics Training (EANBiT)
Funding: Fogarty International Center of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under Award Number U2RTW010677; stipend supplementary support from the Initiative to Develop African Research Leaders (IDeAL) programme

John Wanyande Oketch

icipe postgraduate programme: DRIP MSc
Nationality: Kenya
University: Pwani University, Kenya
Thesis title: Comparison of patterns of spread of HMPV and RSV in Africa
Date of graduation: 15 July 2021
Supervisors: Dr Dan Masiga (icipe); Professor James Nokes (KEMRI Wellcome Trust); Dr. Everlyne Isoe (Pwani University, Kenya)
Project: Eastern Africa Network of Bioinformatics Training (EANBiT)
Funding: Fogarty International Center of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under Award Number U2RTW010677; stipend supplementary support from the Initiative to Develop African Research Leaders (IDeAL) programme

Joseph Mulama Atemia

icipe postgraduate programme: DRIP MSc
Nationality: Kenya
University: Pwani University, Kenya
Thesis title: Mining genome sequencing data or genetic diversity assessment of eastern Africa finger millet blast fungus
Date of graduation: 15 July 2021
Supervisors: Dr Dan Masiga (icipe); Professor Santie De Villiers (Pwani University, Kenya)
Project: Eastern Africa Network of Bioinformatics Training (EANBiT)
Funding: Fogarty International Center of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under Award Number U2RTW010677; stipend supplementary support from the Initiative to Develop African Research Leaders (IDeAL) programme

Margaret Wanjiku Mugure

icipe postgraduate programm e: DRIP MSc
Nationality: Kenya
University: Pwani University, Kenya
Thesis title: Exploring the phylogenetic evolution and geographic transmission patterns of the rice blast Magnaporthe oryzae in Africa
Date of graduation: 15 July 2021
Supervisors: Dr Dan Masiga (icipe); Jean-Baka Domelevo Entfellner; Geoffrey Onaga (International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI Hub)); Dr. Wilton Mbinda (Pwani University, Kenya)
Project: Eastern Africa Network of Bioinformatics Training (EANBiT)
Funding: Fogarty International Center of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under Award Number U2RTW010677; stipend supplementary support from the Initiative to Develop African Research Leaders (IDeAL) programme

Kevin Kidambasi Ogola

icipe postgraduate programme: DRIP MSc
Nationality: Kenya
University: Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kenya
Thesis title: Transmission of infectious disease-causing epizootic and zoonotic pathogens by haematophagus camel hippobscids in Northern Kenya
Date of graduation: 26 July 2021
Supervisors: Dr Villinger Jandouwe (icipe); Dr Joel Bargul (icipe and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kenya)
Project: Training Health Researcher into Vocational Excellence East Africa (THRiVE)
Funding: Welcome Trust

Eric Ali Ibrahim

icipe postgraduate programme: DRIP MSc
Nationality: Kenya
University: Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kenya
Thesis title: Modelling of pest population dynamics in a large avocado farm in Kenya
Date of graduation: 21 July 2021
Supervisors: Dr Daisy Salifu and Dr Henri Tonnang (icipe); Prof. Anthony Waititu Gichuhi (Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kenya)
Project: Education - CAP AFRICA
Funding: Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD)