ARPPIS PhD scholar

Bethelihem Mekonnen Bekele

Research project:  Identification of chemical cues Ocephella longonoda Trail pheromone which are repellant to fruit flies Bethelihem is ARRPIS PhD fellow supervised by Dr Emillie Deletre, Prof. Baldwyn Torto, Dr. Sunday Ekesi and Dr. Thibaud Martin (icipe). Her research work focuses on the identification of chemical cues of an ant (Ocephella longonoda) which are repellant to fruit flies. Fruit flies in the family Tephritidae are now a major treat to horticulture production   in Africa. These species are highly polyphagous which attack many fruits and vegetables. Ants in addition to their predator behavior on different herbivores they also release trail pheromone which affect the behavior of the flies. Understanding their chemical ecology as it relates to evolution, host selection, reproduction, adult behavior, can be used as an important tool to control and suppress the economic impact of the flies. identifying O. longinoda repellent semiochemcals will thus be the main purpose of this study. The chemicals will also be used in the field to increase the repulsion in orchards and stimulate the predation behavior, using diffusers.

Nancy Karimi Njeru

Reserach project: Towards understanding the role of push-pull cropping system in management of mycotoxins in maize in East Africa. Nancy is an ARPPIS PhD fellow supervised by Prof. Zeyaur R. Khan and Dr Charles A. Midega of icipe, Kenya. Her research interests include plant health and food safety and security. She is currently doing research on the role of push-pull cropping system in management of mycotoxins in maize in East Africa.  Maize is one of the staple foods in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, insect pests and diseases are a major constraint to its production. Infection of maize by various fungal pathogens results in contamination of maize grains with mycotoxins. It is estimated that about 40% of grain losses in Sub Saharan Africa are due to mycotoxins. Cropping systems that help manage insect pests and improve soil health may potentially contribute to the management of ear rots, a fungal disease that contaminates maize with mycotoxins, and subsequently mycotoxin contamination of maize. This study assesses the role of push-pull cropping system in management of mycotoxins in maize in East Africa. The push-pull technology is a strategy for controlling agricultural pests by using repellent "push” plants and trap” pull" plants. The technology involves of behavior modifying stimuli to manipulate the distribution and abundance of a pest.  Nancy completed her MSc in Microbiology at the University of Nairobi, Kenya.

Abdullah Mkiga

Research Project: Bio-ecology of the false codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta and its associated natural enemies on citrus in Kenya and Tanzania and implication for its management Abdullah is an ARPPIS PhD Scholar supervised by Dr Samira Mohamed (icipe). Abdullah’s research interests include the insect biology, ecology and sustainable pest management. His PD research focuses on the false codling moth (FCM) Thaumatotibia leucotreta, one of the major constraints to citrus production. Information on the bio-ecology of FCM and natural enemies is crucial for sound and sustainable management of this pest. The research will establish the genetic diversity, distribution, host range, dynamics, and damage levels of T. leucotreta in Tanzania, catalogue natural enemies and determine their efficiency in suppressing T. leucotreta, and conduct life table studies and develop predictive phenology models for T. leucotreta. Abdullah holds a BSc in Agriculture and a MSc in Crop Science from Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania.

Hellen Butungi

Research project: Insect-endosymbiotic spiroplasmas of anopheline mosquitoes and their effects on host vectorial capacity Hellen is an ARPPIS PhD Scholar supervised by Dr Jeremy Herren (icipe) and Prof. Lizette Koekemoer (University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa). Hellen’s research interests include pathogen-vector-host interactions, and the use of molecular, microbiological and bioinformatics tools to understand the underlying mechanisms of vector responses in highly pathogenic, endemic environments. She is currently researching on endosymbiotic bacteria, specifically spiroplasmas that are associated with anopheline mosquitoes, which are thought to have some impact on vector biology and transmission of pathogens. This research will contribute knowledge on the use of naturally occurring endosymbiotic microbes to manage vector-borne diseases of Africa such as malaria by reducing vector abundance or preventing transmission of pathogens by the vectors. Hellen is registered for a PhD at the University of the Witwatersrand and is supported by a scholarship from DAAD. Hellen holds a BSc in Biochemistry from Makerere University, Uganda and a MSc in Bioinformatics from the University of Nairobi, Kenya. She is a student member of the International Society for Computational Biology (ISCB).

Yvan Ritter Guimapi

Research project: Development and implementation of software to optimize field application of biopesticides for the management of arthropod pests Rittter is an ARPPIS PhD Scholar supervised by Dr Samira Mohamed (icipe) and Dr George Okeyo (Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kenya). He is currently researching the modeling of arthropod dispersal, to develop and implement a software to optimize field application of biopesticides for the management of arthropod pests. He is currently registered for a PhD at JKUAT, and is supported by a scholarship from DAAD. Ritter completed his undergraduate studies in Mathematics and Computer Science, at University of Dschang, Cameroon and obtained a MSc in Computer Sciences from the University of Yaounde I, Cameroon. Ritter serves on the icipe Scholars Association committee as the PhD representative.

Pamela Ochungo

Research project: Investigating the link between landscape and pollination effects for enhanced hive productivity   Pamela is an ARPPIS PhD Scholar supervised by Dr Tobias Landmann (icipe). Pamela’s research interests include the application of geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing analysis techniques to research and development projects in developing countries. Of particular interest is the use of spatial modeling for enhanced understanding of complex interrelated processes. She is currently researching the link between landscape and pollination effects, a study that aims to assess the value of the landscape for beekeeping using pollination efficacy as the key measure. She is supported by a scholarship from DAAD. Pamela completed her undergraduate studies in Engineering Surveying at the University of Nairobi, Kenya, and obtained a MSc in Geographic Information Science from Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. Pamela is a member of the Society for Conservation GIS (SCGIS), Kenya.

Akua Antwi-Agyakwa

Research project: Development of semiochemical based tool for the management of the African Citrus Triziod, Trizoid erytreae Akua is an ARPPIS PhD Scholar is supervised by Prof. Baldwyn Torto (icipe) and Dr Ayuka Fombong (icipe). Her research interests include insect science, plant protection, toxicology, and chemical ecology of plant-insect systems. For her PhD Akua is investigating the chemo-ecological interactions within African Citrus Triziod (ACT) Trizoid erytreae, and between ACT and its citrus hosts, to develop semiochemical based attractants and repellents for its management. She is supported by a scholarship from DAAD. Akua holds a BSc in Agriculture and a MSc in Crop Protection from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana. She is a member of the Entomological Society of America (ESA).

Olabimpe Olaide

Research project: The semiochemical basis of repellency of zebra to tsetse flies Olabimpe is an ARPPIS PhD Scholar supervised by Dr Rajinder Saini (icipe) and Prof. Christian Pirk (University of Pretoria, South Africa). Olabimpe’s research interests include studying the behavior and chemical ecology of arthropods of medical and veterinary importance in the tropics. She is currently researching the semiochemicals that are responsible for zebra repellency to tsetse flies. Such chemicals could be employed to prevent tsetse-host contact and control human and animal trypanosomosis. Olabimpe is registered for a PhD at University of Pretoria, South Africa and is supported by a scholarship from DAAD. Olabimpe completed her undergraduate studies in Pure and Applied Chemistry at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Nigeria and obtained a Master of Science degree in Organic Chemistry from University of Ibadan, Nigeria. She is a member of the International Society of Chemical Ecology and the Entomological Society of America.

Edith Chepkorir

Research project: Field and laboratory studies of Aedes (Stegomyia) species to assess yellow fever and dengue risk in northern Kenya Edith is an ARPPIS PhD Scholar supervised by Dr Rosemary Sang (icipe and KEMRI) and Dr David Tchouassi (icipe), and Prof. Marietjie Venter (University of Pretoria, South Africa). Foe her PhD research Edith is assessing the risk of transmission of yellow fever and dengue viruses by Aedes (Stegomyia) mosquitos in northern Kenya. This study seeks to assess the vector populations in border areas (West Post and Turkana) that could sustain transmission of these viruses in case of a spillover into Kenya from Sudan and Uganda - neighbouring countries with reports of frequent and/or recent yellow fever outbreaks. Edith is registered for a PhD at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, and is supported by a scholarship from DAAD. Edith holds a BSc in Biomedical Science and Technology from Egerton University, Kenya and a Masters degree in Medical Virology from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kenya.

Abdelmutalab Ahmed

Research project: Improvement of Arabica coffee quality and productivity in East Africa through the development of a risk analysis tool for major insect pests Abdelmutalab is an ARPPIS PhD Scholar supervised by Dr Régis Babin (icipe and Cirad, France), and is supported by a scholarship from DAAD. His research interests include the environmental sciences and insect ecology. His research project is on improving Arabica coffee quality and productivity in East Africa through the development of a risk analysis tool for major insect pests. His work seeks to identify how agro-ecological factors impact on the populations of major coffee pests and how climate change is likely to affect the future distribution of these pests in East Africa.   Abdelmutalab completed his undergraduate studies in Agricultural Sciences with a specialization in Crop Protection at University of Gezira, Sudan, and obtained a MSc in Research Methods from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya.

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