ARPPIS PhD scholar

Shillah Nasambu Simiyu

Research Project: An evaluation of the potential risk of yellow fever re-emergence in parts of Kenya: the bionomics of key mosquito vectors and virus prevalence. Shillah Nasambu Simiyu is a PhD researcher Supervised by Prof. Rosemary Sang (ICIPE), Dr. David. P. Tchouassi (ICIPE), Dr. Henri Tonnang (ICIPE), Prof. Armanda Bastos (University of Pretoria). Her aim is to evaluate the potential risk of Yellow fever re-emergence and outbreak in Kenya. Shillah completed her BSc in Biochemistry at the Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences at Universiti Putra Malaysia (Malaysia) and MSc in Tropical and Infectious Diseases at the University of Nairobi, Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases (Kenya). She is in the process of registering at the University of Pretoria, South Africa.

Rehemah Gwokyalya

Research project: The role of microbial symbionts in mediating bi-trophic interactions between key fruit flies and their associated endoparasitoids. Rehemah Gwokyalya is a PhD researcher Supervised by Dr Samira A. Mohamed, Dr Jeremy Herren, Dr Shephard Ndlela, Dr Fathiya Khamis (icipe) and Prof Chris Weldon (University of Pretoria, South Africa). Her aim is to analyse how fruit fly microsymbionts affect host-parasitoid bi-trophic interactions of the key fruit fly species in East Africa and their associated endoparasitoids. Rehemah completed her BSc. in Animal production and management at the faculty of Agriculture and Animal sciences of Busitema University (Uganda) and MSc. in Zoology at the Graduate School of Sciences of Anadolu University (Turkey). She is registered at the University of Pretoria, South Africa.

Aklilu Belay

Aklilu is an ARPPIS PhD scholar supervised by Dr. David Tchouassi; Prof Clifford Mutero; Dr. Abebe Asale; Prof. Baldwin Torto (icipe). His aim is to develop a low-cost strategy for monitoring densities and transmission activity of residual vector populations that perpetuate malaria transmission in communities where existing or new measures are being implemented, to improve targeting of interventions towards elimination. Aklilu completed his BSc in Biology and MSc in Biomedical Sciences from Addis Ababa University.

Fedinand Ong’wen

Fedinand Ong’wen is a PhD scholar supervised by Dr. Ulrike Fillinger, Dr. Michael N. Okal & Dr. Syeda T. Bukhari (icipe), and Dr. Heike Lutermann (University of Pretoria, South Africa). His research aims at developing novel, biorational, cattle-targeted agents for sustainable and integrated control of malaria and other disease vector mosquitoes, as well as other arthropod vectors of human and livestock diseases, including tsetse flies and ticks. Fedinand’s project is Piloting novel, biorational, cattle-targeted interventions for sustainable control of arthropod vectors of malaria and other diseases of humans and livestock, through multi-sectoral stakeholder engagement and community partnership. He is Funded by The Biovision Foundation, Switzerland. Ong’wen holds a Bsc. In Biology from Masinde Muliro University of Science & Technology (Kenya), and MSc in Applied Parasitology & Vector Biology from Maseno University (Kenya).

Kavengi Kitonga

Kavengi Kitonga is a PhD researcher supervised by Dr. Menale Kassie and Dr Beatrice Muriithi (icipe). Her aim is to establish the cost effectiveness, economic and nutritional effects and potential adoption of the integrated tsetse and tick control management technologies in Kenya and Ethiopia. Her research further aims to understand the economic burden of tsetse and tick-borne diseases. Kavengi’s Host project and funding is from BMZ Project, GIZ funded, ICIPE Pilot phase "Improving food and nutritional security through integrated control of tsetse and tick-borne livestock diseases (ICTLD). Kavengi holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and Master’s in Economic Policy Management at the University of Nairobi, School of Economics.

Sahadatou Mama Sambo

Sahadatou Mama Sambo is a PhD researcher Supervised by Dr. Samira A. Mohamed (Icipe), Dr. Shepard Ndlela (Icipe), Prof Hannalene Du Plessis (North-West University, South Africa). Her aim is to confirm the performance of D. gelechiidivoris and usage of Metarhizium anisoplae (isolate icipe20) on Tuta absoluta in different climatic and bio-ecological area in East Africa. Sahadatou completed her BSc. and MSc. on agricultural science at Faculty of Agronomic Sciences of the University of Abomey-Calavi (Benin)

Nadia Karelle Toukem

Research project: Optimization of integrated pests and pollinators management (IPPM) strategies in avocado-cucurbit production systems in East Africa. Research goals: This project aims to improve knowledge of the factors that impact on the efficiency of pollination and Integrated Pest Management services in Avocado – Cucurbit production systems and further optimize their integration to improve quantity and quality of crop yields, honey and other bee derived products that are free from pesticide residues, and safe for both domestic and export markets.  Host project and funding: Integrated pest and pollinators management (IPPM) to enhance productivity of avocado and cucurbits among smallholder growers in East Africa, a project funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Supervisors: Dr. Brian Isabirye, Dr. Sevgan Subramanian, Dr. Fathiya Khamis, Dr. Elfatih M. Abdel-Rahman, Dr. Michael Lattorff (icipe). Bio: Nadia earned a BSc in Animal biology from the University of Dschang, Cameroon and an MSc in Zoology from the University of Yaoundé 1, Cameroon. She is a member of the African Association of Insects Scientists.

Fairo Dzekashu Foryuy

Research project title: Diversity of plants, pollinators, and their network in natural and agricultural habitats of the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot in Kenya Research goals: Assess plant-pollinator diversity using molecular tools (DNA bar coding) to determine functioning of plant-pollinator interactions and ecosystem services. Findings from this study will provide very important knowledge about ecological networks and their stability across different landscapes to ascertain the conservation of the ecosystem service of pollination. Host project and funding: APPI (JRS Biodiversity Foundation) Supervisors: Dr. Michael Lattorff and Dr. Regis Babin, both from (icipe). Bio: Fairo holds a BSc in Zoology and Animal Physiology from The University of Buea, Cameroon and an MSc in Zoology and Animal Physiology (Specialty Entomology) from the University of Buea, Cameroon.

Vongai Marjorie Paradza

Research Project: Development of effective bio pesticides for management of pesticide resistant strains of whiteflies infesting vegetables in East Africa Host project: BioInnovate Africa Phase I project “<a name="_Hlk489267569">Promoting smallholder access to fungal biopesticides through Public Private Partnerships in East Africa</a> (PROSAFE)” Funding: DAAD Research goals: To identify effective entomopathogenic and endophytic biopesticides, develop effective and innovative formulations and application strategies for the identified biopesticides for management of whiteflies infesting vegetables in East Africa Bio:  BSc in Agriculture (Crop Science) from the University of Zimbabwe; MPhil in Agriculture from the University of Zimbabwe Supervisors: Dr Fathiya Khamis, Dr Sevgan Subramanian, Dr Komivi Akutse, Dr Sunday Ekesi

Mukundi Mukundamago

Research Project: Predicting the spatio-temporal distribution of common plant-pollinator interactions in two contrasted and changing landscapes of the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspots in Kenya: the Aberdare range and the Taita Hills Research Goals: This research will seek to model the impact of a combination of various environmental factors on main plant-pollinator interactions in order to predict their distribution under changing land use and climate. Host Project and Funding: APPI project (JRS Biodiversity Foundation) Bio: Mukundi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Management from the University of Venda, South Africa; a BSc (Hons) Biodiversity and Ecology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa; and an MSc in Conservation Ecology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa. Supervisors: Dr Régis Babin and Dr Michael Lattorff

Subscribe to ARPPIS PhD scholar