DRIP PhD scholar

Anastasia Nzau

Research project: Descriptive Survey and Integrated Approach to Control Leishmaniasis in Marigat Sub- County, Baringo County Anastasia is a DRIP PhD Fellow supervised by Dr. Maniania (icipe) and Prof. Dorcas Yole of The Technical University of Kenya(TUK). Anastasia is a young researcher whose interest is in Tropical Neglected Diseases and is currently working on “ A Descriptive survey and Integrated Approach to Control Leishmaniasis in Marigat Sub- county, Baringo County”.The study has two designs;  descriptive and experimental design. The descriptive design involves the description of the community’s knowledge, attitude, practices and beliefs in regard to leishmaniasis followed by public health education on the disease .The experimental design involves the upgrade of destitute housing as a measure to control transmission of the disease by reducing exposure to the infective bite of the vector. The second part involves the application of Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) in termite mounds. Two methods of application will be used; conidia in powder form will be applied using a modified foot pump and conidia in oil formulation will be sprayed using a knapsack sprayer. Sand flies will be trapped using a CDC light trap before and after treatment and observed for mycosis. Monitoring of fly densities will be followed for six months. Anastasia completed her undergraduate studies in B.ed Home science and Technology at Moi University Kenya, and obtained a MSc in Applied Parasitology from The University of Nairobi ,Kenya. She is currently registered for a PhD at The Technical University of Kenya (TUK), and is supported by a Hickey Family Foundation (HFF) through Daystar University and the National Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) Kenya. Anastasia is a member of the Teacher Service Commission of Kenya (TSC).

Jackline Mworia

Research project: Arthropod pests of Amaranth, African nightshade and Ethiopian kale and natural enemies in Tanzania Jackline is a DRIP PhD Fellow supervised by Dr. Fiaboe Komi (icipe) and Dr. Rainer Meyhöfer (Leibniz Universität Hannover, Germany). Jackline research interests include the management of arthropods in vegetable production and is currently researching on Insect and mite pests of Amaranth, African nightshade and Ethiopian kale and natural enemies in Tanzania. Jackline completed his/her undergraduate studies in BSc. Horticulture at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya and obtained a MSc in International Horticulture from Leibniz Universität Hannover, Germany. She is currently registered for a PhD at Leibniz Universität Hannover, Germany, and is supported by a scholarship from HORTINLEA project.

Richard Kyalo

Research project: Habitat suitability modeling for African citrus psyllids (Trioza erytreae) vector using remotely sensed and climatic variables Richard Kyalo is a DRIP PhD scholar supervised Dr Tobias Landmann (icipe). Richard’s research interests include the spatial statistics, ecological modeling, data mining and remote sensing. He is currently researching habitat suitability modeling for African citrus psyllids (Trioza erytreae) vector using remotely sensed and climatic variables, with the aim of developing an IPM management strategy for African citrus psyllids. He is currently registered for a PhD at the University of Bonn and is supported by a scholarship from the Citrus IPM Programme funded by GTZ. Richard holds a BSc Mathematics and Computer Science and a MSc in Applied Statistics from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kenya.

Florence Ng’ong’a

Research project: Characterization and functional analysis of tricorn-like proteins in Trypanosoma brucei brucei Florence is a DRIP PhD Fellow supervised by Dr. Vincent Adunga (icipe) and Dr. Steven Ger Nyanjom and Prof. Fred Wamunyokoli both of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya. Florence’s research interest includes molecular parasitology and is currently researching on “Characterization and functional analysis of tricorn-like proteins in Trypanosoma brucei brucei.”  T. brucei are tsetse-transmitted parasites causing African trypanosomiasis which threatens millions of people and livestock in Sub-Saharan Africa. Currently, the disease control methods include vector control and use of trypanocides which have been shown to have adverse side effects. Therefore, an understanding of unique biochemical and molecular features of T. brucei brucei may aid in the development new chemotherapeutic agents. Tricorn protease has been shown to be the core enzyme in proteolytic system in many bacterial cells. However, the presence and possible role of this protein in T. b. brucei endocytic system is still unknown. This study therefore, aims to identify and characterize tricorn-like proteins in T. b. brucei and determine their role on the pathogenicity of the parasite. Florence obtained her BSc and MSc. in Biochemistry at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya. She is currently registered for a PhD at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya and is supported by a scholarship from NACOSTI.

David Makori

Research project: Using hyperspectral and multispectral remote sensing to map flowering plants in Africa David is an DRIP PhD Fellow supervised by Dr. Tobias Landmann (icipe) and Prof. Onesimo Mutanga (University of Kwazulu Natal (UKZN), South Africa). David’s research interests include the remote sensing, GIS and Environmental ecology, and is currently researching the use of hyperspectral and multi-spectral data to map mellipherous plants and determine the floral cycle in Africa. David completed his/her undergraduate studies in Landscaping at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya, and obtained a MSc in Environmental Planning and Management from Kenyatta University, Kenya. He is currently registered for a PhD at UKZN, South Africa.

Dianah Katiti

Research project: Analysis of erythrocyte adherence in blood stream forms and the swimming behavior of African trypanosomes in the tsetse fly vector Dianah is a DRIP PhD Scholar supervised by Dr Daniel Masiga (icipe) and Prof. Dr. Markus Engstler (Julius Maximilian-Universität Würzburg, Germany). Dianah’s research interests include neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), infection, diagnostics and immunology. She is currently researching the erythrocyte adherence of blood steam forms and the swimming behaviors of several African trypanosome species inside the tsetse fly vector. The research is to better understand the mechanisms of trypanosome survival in tsetse and mammalian host. Dianah is registered for a PhD at Julius Maximilian-Universität Würzburg and supported by a scholarship from DFG. Dianah holds a BSc in Biomedical Laboratory Technology and a MSc in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology from Makerere University, Uganda.

Stephen Othim

Research Project: Identification of amaranth germplasm accessions resistant to leaf webbers and weevils in Tanzania Stephen is a DRIP PhD Scholar supervised by Dr Komi Fiaboe (icipe) and Dr Ruth Kahuthia-Gathu (Kenyatta University (KU), Kenya). Stephen’s research interests include crop protection, integrated pest management and biological control. His PhD research is on the identification of amaranth germplasm accessions resistant to leaf webbers and weevils in Tanzania. The project is conducting field and laboratory experiments to evaluate amaranth germplasm accessions for their resistance, determine the mechanisms of resistance and identify their desirable horticultural traits. He will also study the effects of selected accessions on the biology and reproduction of leaf webbers and weevils and monitor the performance of indigenous parasitoids on leaf webbers of amaranth. He is registered for a PhD at KU and is supported by a scholarship from GIZ/BMZ, Germany. Stephen has a BSc in Microbiology and an MSc in Agricultural Entomology from KU, and is a member of the African Association of Insect Scientists (AAIS).

Clarence Mang'era

Research project: Physiological and molecular responses in adult and larvae Anopheles gambiae s.s. to Murraya koenigii (Curry Leaf) phytochemicals Clarence is a DRIP PhD Scholar supervised by  Dr Fathiya Khamis (icipe) and Prof. Hassanali Ahmed (Kenyatta University (KU), Kenya). Clarence’s research interests include biocontrol of arthropod pests and disease vectors, and the bioprospecting of plants for mosquito growth disrupting compounds. He is currently researching on the effect of phytochemicals from the Curry Leaf (Murraya koenigii) on physiological and molecular responses in larval and adult stages of the mosquito Anopheles gambiae s.s. He is currently registered for a PhD at KU and the project is supported by a grant from Grand Challenges Canada. Clarence obtained a BSc in Biomedical Science and Technology and a MSc in Biochemistry from Egerton University, Kenya.

Henlay Magara

Research project: Cricket farming for Food and Feed: Assessment of Cricket species Composition, Genetic Diversity and Development of Rearing Procedures for some Key species in Kenya Henlay is an ARPPIS PhD Scholar supervised by Dr Sunday Ekesi of icipe and Prof. Monica A. Ayieko of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Kenya, where he is currently registered for a PhD degree. Henlay’s research interests include insects for food and feed, sustainable diets, sustainable food systems and food policy. Henlay’s PhD project is on assessing cricket species composition, species diversity and development of rearing procedures for some key species that are used for food and feed in Kenya. His current research is supported by a scholarship from GREENiNSECT <a href="http://greeinsect.ku.dk/phd-projects-edible-insects/henlay-juma-otieno-magara/">http://greeinsect.ku.dk/phd-projects-edible-insects/henlay-juma-otieno-magara/</a>. Henlay completed his undergraduate studies in BSc Agricultural Education and Extension at Egerton University, Kenya and obtained a MSc in Agricultural Entomology from Kenyatta University, Kenya.

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