DRIP MSc scholar

Mike Javan Mwanga

Mike is a DRIP MSc scholar supervised by Dr Dan Masiga (icipe) and Pwani University.  He is currently an EANBiT MSC graduate fellow based at Pwani University, undertaking course in Bioinformatics. He holds a degree in Biochemistry from Pwanni university and previously worked at KEMRI Wellcome Trust as an assistant research officer, on a project aimed at understanding effectiveness of Rotarix vaccine in Kenya.

Zamira Wesonga Mukwambo

Research project: Evaluating the Impact of commonly used Herbicides in Murang’a County, Kenya on Honeybee Gut Microbiota Zamira is a DRIP MSc Scholar supervised by Dr. Michael Lattorff, Dr. Juan Paredes Camillo (icipe) and Dr. Joel Bargul (icipe, JKUAT). Her research interest is in molecular biology and microbiology, including studying the honey bee gut microbiome, bacteria host interaction and rearing of bees. She is currently researching on the impacts of commonly used herbicides in Murang’a county, Kenya on honey bee gut microbiota. She completed her BSc studies in Biochemistry at the University of Kabianga, Kenya.  She is currently registered for her MSc at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya.

Grace Rebecca Aduvukha

Research Project: Mapping of cropping patterns for integrated pest and pollinators management in avocado crop. Grace is a DRIP MSc Scholar supervised by Dr. Elfatih Abdel-Rahman (icipe), Dr. Godfrey Makokha and Dr. Arthur Sichangi (Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, DeKUT).  Her research interest is in analyzing the best combination of remote sensing datasets in mapping of cropping patterns for species distribution and abundance modelling to promote integrated pests and pollinators management. Grace completed her BSc in Geospatial Information Science at DeKUT and she is registered for a MSc in Geospatial Information Science and Remote Sensing at DeKUT, Kenya.

Juliet Akoth Ochola

Research project: Elucidation of physio-chemical mechanism associated with banana fiber paper in the management of potato cyst nematodes Juliet is a DRIP MSc Scholar supervised by Prof Baldwyn Torto (icipe), Dr. Laura Cortada (Ghent University), Dr Danny Coyne (IITA), Prof. Ahmed Hassanali, and Dr. Margaret Ng’ang’a (Kenyatta University). Her research interest is in chemical ecology, including chemical interactions of belowground plant parasites and how these interactions can be exploited in the development of crop protection strategies. Juliet's current research focuses on elucidating the physical and chemical mechanisms associated with the ‘wrap and plant’ technology in the management of potato cyst nematodes. Juliet completed her BSc studies in Chemistry at Egerton University. She is currently registered for MSc. Chemistry at Kenyatta University, Kenya.

Joyce Waithira Kamau

Research Project: Insect feed for poultry, fish and pig production in Kenya and Uganda Joyce is a DRIP MSc scholar supervised by Drs. Monica Fisher and Holger Krischt (icipe) and Dr. Patrick Irungu (University of Nairobi). Her research interest is on household models, gender roles and responsibilities and distribution of resources within the household. She is currently examining the effect of intra-household decision making on time allocation among smallholder poultry, fish and pig farmers in Kiambu County. This study results have implications on the rate of adoption of BSF (Black Soldier fly) rearing by different genders. Joyce completed her undergraduate at the University of Kabianga and obtained a BSc. in Agricultural Economics and Resource Management in 2015. She is currently registered for her Msc at University of Nairobi funded by INSFEED2- Phase 2.

Robert Mumbere

Research project: Screening biopesticides for the control of fall army worm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in Uganda. Mumbere is a DRIP MSC scholar supervised by Dr. Komivi Senyo Akutse (icipe) and Prof Herbert Talwana (Makerere University). His research interest is in the control of Entomology and Nematode pests for various crops including cereals, legumes, perennials among others. He is currently researching on the screening of biopesticides for the control of fall army worm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in Uganda. Mumbere completed his BSc degree of vocational studies in Agriculture with Education at Kyambogo University in Uganda. He is currently registered for his MSc in crop science at Makerere University, Uganda and is supported by DFID Fall Armyworm Management Project.

Joyce Kabagenyi

Research Project: Understanding the Effect of Congenital and Perinatal Infections on Immune Responses to Vaccines and Common Childhood Infections in Infants: A Big Data Approach Joy is a DRIP MSc scholar supervised by Dr Dan Masiga (icipe), Dr. Charles Sande ( KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme ) and Dr. Amana Mzee (Pwani University). Her research interest is in applying computational methods to understand host-pathogen interactions. Specifically integrating pathogen genomics and host functional genomics, as a way to study disease immunopathology and contribute to drug and vaccine discovery and design.  Her project aims to understand the effect of congenital infections on immune responses to vaccination, common and emerging infections in infants during the first years of life using machine learning techniques. Before joining EANBiT, she worked with the Immunomodulation and Vaccines programme at MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit. While there she worked on various projects that aimed to understand immune profiles to vaccines such as BCG and MVA85A, and infections such as Respiratory Syncytial Virus and how helminth infections influence these profiles.   Joy is currently undertaking her MSc research project in Bioinformatics at KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Programme under the Viral Epidemiology and Control group supported by EANBiT and IDeAL . She holds a BSc. (Biology) from Kyambogo University- Uganda.

Sheila Jemutai Koech

Research project: Pollen preference and nutritional components of pollen collected by honeybees, Apis mellifera in Murang’a County, Kenya. Sheila Koech is DRIP MSc Scholar supervised by Dr Michael Lattorff (icipe) and Dr Rebecca Karanja (Kenyatta University).  Her research interests is in pollination ecology for food security and pollinator habitat conservation. The study seeks to understand and compare the floral preference of honeybees, the nutritional components, and the levels of pesticide residues contamination on pollen collected by honeybees across different landscape types in Murang’a. The research is part of the integrated pest and pollinators management (IPPM) project funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Sheila attained her BSc (Zoology and Botany) from Kenyatta University, and is currently registered for an MSc in Plant Ecology at Kenyatta University, Kenya. She is also an enthusiast of biodiversity conservation, and a member of Entomology Society of Kenya.

Evanson Rigan Omuse

Research project: The non-target effects of Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana on selected key pollinators of horticultural crops Evanson is a DRIP MSc Scholar supervised by Drs. Thomas Dubois, Saliou Niassy (icipe) and Dr. Maina Wagacha, Dr. George Ong’amo (University of Nairobi Kenya). His research interest is in the safety of prospected biological control agents on beneficial insects, including impact on health and survival of key pollinators of horticultural crops: honey bees and stingless bees, and potential effect on pollination biology and success. He is currently researching on influence of biological control agent on bee colony survival, foraging behaviour, activity and pollination efficiency on focal crops under greenhouse conditions at icipe. Evanson completed his BSc studies in Microbiology and Biotechnology at University of Nairobi, Kenya. He is currently registered for a MSc in Microbiology and Biotechnology at University of Nairobi, Kenya.

Tamre Richard Mwanda

Research project title:  Determining the potential of a combination product containing cedrol and Aquatain® Mosquito Formulation (AMF™) as a novel attract and kill strategy for the control of ovipositing malaria vector (Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto) Tamre is a DRIP Msc scholar supervised by Drs. Ulrike Fillinger, Tullu Bukhari (icipe) and Dr. Patrick Onyango (Maseno University). His research interests include molecular biology, parasitology and vector behaviour and biology, and is currently working on determining the efficacy of a novel tool for containing gravid malaria vectors (Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto) using combination product containing an attractant and adulticide. The study focuses on control of gravid female mosquitoes (Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto) using cedrol, a proven attractant and Aquatain® Mosquito Formulation (AMF™), a proven larvicide. Tamre completed his undergraduate in Bsc. Basic sciences, With IT at Maseno University and is currently registered at his Maseno University for his MSc  studies.

Subscribe to DRIP MSc scholar