DRIP PhD scholar

Trizah Koyi Milugo

Research project title:  Evaluating atni-malarial activity of the star weed (Parthenium hysterophorus) Milugo Trizah is an icipe DRIP PhD student and a PhD fellow of “Training Health Researchers into Vocational Excellence in East Africa” THRiVE consortium.  Her research is centered on developing a novel tool for controlling malaria transmission. Her supervisors are Prof(s) Baldywn Torto and David P. Tchouassi (icipe), Rhoel Dinglasan (University of Florida), David Warhurst (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine) and Dr. David Tchouassi (icipe). She holds a master degree in Biochemistry and BSc in Biochemistry both from the University of Nairobi.

Faith Jebiwot Kandie

Research project title:  Analytical screening of pesticides and other organic micropollutants in surface water systems and their relation to the prevalence of schistosomiasis within western Kenya. Faith is a DRIP PhD fellow supervised by Prof. Baldwyn Torto (icipe) P.D Werner Brack and Prof. Henner Hollert (Aachen university).   Her research interest is in the occurrence of pesticides and other organic micropollutants in surface water systems and their relation to the prevalence of schistosomiasis within western Kenya. Bio:  Faith graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies (Environmental Biology and Health option) from Moi University in 2012 and a master’s in Environmental Sanitation (Faculty of bioscience engineering) from Ghent University, Belgium in 2016. During her master’s program, Faith undertook research on the occurrence and removal of pharmaceuticals in wastewater stabilization ponds and trickling filters in western Kenya.

Gezahegne Getaneh Damessa

Research project title: Integrated Chickpea Diseases Management in Ethiopia. Gezahegne Getaneh Damessa is a DRIP PhD fellow supervised by Dr. Tadele Tefera (icipe), Prof. Fikere Lemessa (Jimma University, Ethiopia) and Dr. Seid Kemal (icarda). Gezahegne interests in Molecular Biology of phytopathology, and pest management research.  Currently he is doing his research on integrated chickpea disease management in Ethiopia. Chickpea is major pulse crop in Ethiopia produced for domestic and export market. Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Ciceris, and Ascochyta bilght caused by Ascochyta rabiei are the major most important disease of chickpea production constraint in Ethiopia. Pest management is crucial for sustainable chickpea production in Ethiopia. Integrated pest management is the best option and holistic approach of addressing pest problem.  The objective of his research heading and the candidate will intend to come up with concrete information on the ways of integrated pest management of chickpea in Ethiopia which easily adopted by producers.

Memory Kumbirai

Research project title:  Assessment of the geographic distribution and risk for the invasion and spread of Batrocera Zonata (Diptera: Tephritidae) In sub- Saharan Africa. Kumbirai M. Zingore is a DRIP PhD fellow supervised by Dr(s). C. Tanga, and S. Mohamed (icipe) and Dr George Sithole (University of Cape Town). Her research focuses on using spatial analysis techniques to enhance the species predictive modeling methods in mapping the risk of invasion and spread of Bactrocera zonata (Diptera Tephritidae) under climate change registered with the University of Cape Town, South Africa. She holds a master’s degree in Land Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and a BSc in Geology and Geography from the University of Zimbabwe.

Birhanu Amare

Birhanu Sisay Amare is a PhD scholar supervised by Dr Amanuel Tamiru, Dr Subramanian Sevgan and Prof. Baldwyn Torto (icipe). His project is Hosted by ICIPE through the European Union (EU) funded project for the management of Fall Armyworm (FAW) His research aims at enhancing the efficacy of pheromone lures and traps for effective monitoring and management of Fall armyworm. Birhanu holds BSc in Horticulture and MSc in Agricultural Entomology from Ambo and Haramaya University respectively. He is a previous beneficiary of icipe’s DRIP Msc. scholarship year 2017 class.

Elizabeth Kusia

Research project title: Biodiversity and distribution of Saturniidae (Lepidoptera), and their potential for mass rearing in Kenya. Elizabeth is a DRIP PhD fellow supervised by Dr. Sevgan Subramanian (icipe) and Prof. Christian Borgemeister (University of Bonn).  She is working on the aspects of edible insects in Kenya by looking at community perceptions and practices regarding insect consumption in Kenya, the diversity and distribution of edible saturniids in Kenya; decimating factors (biotic and abiotic) that affect edible saturniids in Kenya; host plants consumed by edible saturniids in Kenya and establishing mass rearing protocols for a selected edible saturniid in Kenya.

Akbar Ganatra

Research project title: Ecological investigation of freshwater pollution on transmission of schistosomiasis. Akbar is a DRIP PhD student studying under Dr Ulrike Fillinger (icipe) and Dr Francis McOdimba (Egerton University).  Akbar began studying insects during his time at Keele university, where he majored in Biology in his undergraduate and continued with his masters, investigating the genetics of speciation in Anopheles gambiae. Since then, he has broadened his scope in insects, studying taxonomy at the National Museum of Kenya before beginning his PhD at icipe. His current project, “Ecotoxilogical investigation of freshwater pollutants on the effect on transmission of schistosomiasis” encompasses several of his interests, including addressing Neglected Tropical Diseases, curbing pollution and the invertebrate ecology.

Bonaventure January

Research project title:  Integrated management of rice stem bores in Morogoro Tanzania. Bonaventure is a DRIP PhD fellow supervised by Dr. Tadele Tefera (ICIPE) and Dr. Gratian Rwegasira, Sokoine university of Agriculture, Tanzania. Bonaventure’s research interests is on entomology and is currently doing his PhD Research with Tittle ‘‘management of rice stem borers in irrigated low land rice ecosystem in Tanzania’’ . Rice stem bores are great concern to rice growers in Tanzania. Farmers currently are using synthetic insecticides in the control of the pest which has detrimental effect to human being and environmental non-targeted organisms which needs development of alternative means. Cultural practices and use of bio-pesticides can be used as alternative to synthetic pesticides. These methods are safe to human being and to environment This research sets a basic for this work. Bonaventure Completed his Master’s degree in Crop protection and a bachelor degree in Agriculture General at Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania in 2012 and 2006 respectively

Ibrahim Hashim

Research project: Development of integrated disease management for rice blast disease (Pyricularia grisea) in Tanzania Ibrahim is a DRIP PhD fellow supervised by Prof. Robert Mabagala and Prof. Delphina Mamiro, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania. Ibrahim’s research interests include plant disease diagnostic, distribution and management options. In Africa, the use of pesticides to control crop diseases has increased to a large extent, and their misuse is becoming more abundant. The reports have shown the detrimental effects of these pesticides to the environment, farmers, consumer health, beneficial predators and parastoids. However, in Tanzania little information is available on the integrated management of rice blast disease involving cultural and biological control agents. Therefore, assessment of cultural methods such as hot water seed treatment, rates of nitrogen fertilizer and bio-pesticides such Trichoderma spp. and Bacillus subtilis for rice blast disease management in Tanzania is highly needed. This research sets a basis for this work. Ibrahim completed his postgraduate studies in MSc crop science and undergraduate studies in BSc in Agriculture at Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania.

Shaphan Yong Chia

Research project: Assessing the Potential of Black Soldier Fly as Protein Subsidy in Poultry, Fish and Pig Feed in Kenya Shaphan is a DRIP PhD Fellow supervised by Dr. Chrysantus Tanga Mbi (icipe), Dr. Sunday Ekesi (icipe), Prof. Marcel Dicke (Wageningen University, The Netherlands) and Prof.  Joop Van Loon (Wageningen University, The Netherlands). Shaphan’s research interests include; management of insect pests of agricultural importance and investigation of edible insects. He is currently researching on “Assessing the Potential of Black Soldier Fly as Protein Subsidy in Poultry, Fish and Pig Feed in Kenya”. In East Africa, poultry, pig and fish farming are the fastest growing agribusiness activities. However, high feed costs hamper farmers’ profits. There is research need for alternative sources of low-cost, safe/sustainable feed supplements. Use of insects can help significantly in addressing this problem (FAO, 2013). This project will exploit: -Black Soldier Fly, Hermetia illucens in commercial production of a low-cost, high-quality protein source. -Involve women and youth farmer groups to ensure farmer participation in establishment of intensive insect-based agribusiness enterprises. -Research to assure high nutrition and microbial safety of the insect-based protein products. Shaphan completed his undergraduate studies in Zoology and Medical Laboratory Technology (BSc) at the University of Buea, Cameroon, and obtained an MPhil in Entomology from ARPPIS, University of Ghana, Legon. He is currently registered for a PhD at Wageningen University, The Netherlands, and is supported by a scholarship from Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research NWO. Shaphan is a member of the icipe Scholars Association.

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