DRIP MSc scholar

Naomi Nyawira Kimenyi

Research Project:  Intraspecific Genetic Diversity among Trypanosomes from Northern and Coastal Kenya Regions Naomi is a Drip Scholar supervised by Dr. Merid Getahun (icipe) and Prof. Titus Mukiama;  Dr. Nelson Amugune (UoN, Kenya). Her research interest is in Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics. Her current research focuses on the application of microsatellite genotyping in population genetics studies of Trypanasoma species in Kenya. Naomi completed her BSc in Microbiology and Biotechnology at The University of Nairobi (UoN), Kenya and is currently enrolled in the same university for her Master of Science in Genetics.

Andrew Agrey Abiya

Research project: Assessment of the efficiency and profitability of Multistorey garden technology for vegetable farming among smallholder farmers in Kenya. Andrew is a DRIP MSc scholar supervised by Drs. Saliou Niassy, David Kupesa (icipe) and Dr Steven Ger (Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and technology, JKUAT, Kenya). His research interest includes impact of agricultural technology on productivity. He is currently assessing the impact of Multistorey garden technology on the efficiency and profitability of vegetable farming in Kenya. The aim of the project is to provide information that will assist the design and implementation of agricultural technologies that increases the efficiency and profitability of farming systems.  He completed his BSc in Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya.  He is currently registered for an MSc at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya.

Fabrice Rwasimitana

Research Project: Measurement of Greenhouse gases emission in locust’s system and their Performance on waste stream-based diet. Fabrice is a DRIP MSc scholar supervised by Dr Chrysantus Tanga-Mbi (icipe) and Prof Thoppe Srinivasan (University of Rwanda). His research aims to measure the greenhouse gases emission in locust system and their performance on waste stream-based diet. He completed his BSc in Agronomy at the University of Rwanda.  He is currently registered for his MSc at the University of Rwanda.

Fiona Kinya

Research project: Assessing plant feeding behavior in the malaria vector, Anopheles funestus. Fiona is a Drip MSc scholar supervised by Dr. David Tchouassi; Prof. Clifford Mutero (icipe) and Dr. Eunice Owino (University of Nairobi). Her research interest is in vector biology, including herbivory behavior in one of the major malaria vectors, Anopheles funestus. She is researching on the extent to which An. funestus feed on plants, the specific plants they feed upon and if at all there is any association between plant feeding and insecticide resistance.  Fiona completed her undergraduate in BSc Microbiology and Biotechnology at university of Nairobi. She is currently registered for MSc at University of Nairobi, Kenya and supported by a scholarship from University of Nairobi.

Timothy Kegode Mugodo

Research project: phytochemicals, volatiles and bioactivity of Apis mellifera propolis from different regions in Kenya Timothy is a DRIP MSc Scholar supervised by Dr. Michael Lattorff (icipe) and Dr. Joel Bargul (icipe/JKUAT). His research interest is in propolis, including their difference in phytochemicals, volatile composition and their bioactivity (antibacterial and antioxidant activities) for their potential application in pharmaceutical and food industry. Timothy is currently researching on the phytochemicals and bioactivities of propolis from six different geographical and climatic conditions in Kenya in order to come up with how climate and vegetation affects the composition of propolis across. Timothy completed his BSc studies in Biochemistry at The University of Nairobi, and he is currently registered for a MSc Biochemistry at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

Terry Adongo Ochieng

Research Project: Combination of Biorational (Azadirachta indica) and  Bacillus thuringienesis (Bt) in Novel formulation for the control of Tuta absoluta. Terry is a DRIP MSc scholar supervised by Dr. Fathiya (icipe) and Dr. Dora (University of Nairobi). Her research interest is in use of azadirachta indica as plant extract and Bacillus thuringiensis as a microbial agent for the biocontrol of Tuta absoluta. Terry completed her BSc studies in Agricultural Biotechnology at University of Eldoret and is currently registered as an MSc student at University of Nairobi.

Linus Kiriungi Wamai

Research project: Growth and Laying Performance of Exotic Chicken Fed on Soya bean Meal and Sunflower Cake Diets Substituted with Insect- Based Meal. Linus is a DRIP MSc scholar supervised by Dr. Chrysantus Mbi Tanga (icipe), Dr. Leonard Munga, PhD (Kenyatta University, Kenya) and Dr. Isaac Maina Osuga, PhD (icipe, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya). His research interest is in the use of insect as an alternative source of animal feed.  He is currently researching on the growth rate and laying performance of exotic layer chicken when fed on black soldier fly larvae meal. Linus completed his BSc in Animal Health and Production at Kenyatta University, Kenya and currently registered for MSc in Animal Nutrition and Management at Kenyatta University, Kenya. Linus is a member of the Kenya veterinary Board.

Benson Kipchirchir Limoh

Research project: Comparative evaluation of vector competence of Aedes aegypti from the coastal region of Kenya for dengue serotypes. Benson is a DRIP MSc Scholar supervised by Prof. Rosemary Sang’ (icipe/ KEMRI) and Dr. David Tchouassi (icipe).  His interest in research lies in arboviruses and associated vectors and how they interact with the environment. He is currently researching on the interaction between   Aedes aegypti populations from coastal Kenya and dengue virus serotypes. He has acquired laboratory-based research experience in techniques such as virus isolation by mammalian and insect cell culture, viral quantification by Plaque assay, viral RNA extraction, RT-PCR, qPCR, Agarose Gel Electrophoresis, DNA Barcoding, Western blotting, ELISA, SDS PAGE, rearing, infection, and dissection of arboviral vectors. Benson completed his BSc studies in Medical Biotechnology at Maseno University in Kenya. He is registered for MSc in Medical Virology at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kenya.

Divina Kerubo Arama

Research project: Acceptability and willingness to pay for insect based biscuits among school going children and their caregivers in Kenya. Divina is a DRIP scholar supervised by Dr Chrysantus M. Tanga (icipe) and Dr. John Kinyuru (Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology). Her research interest is in investigating factors that influences consumer acceptance, and adoption strategies that can be applied in adoption of insect foods. Divina completed her BSC studies in Food Science and Technology from Technical University of Kenya. She is currently registered for her MSc studies at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

Stephie Muthoni Mwangi

Research Project: Economic Impact of Training Mango Growers on Integrated Fruit Fly Management in Elgeyo Marakwet,  Kenya. Stephie is a DRIP MSc Scholar supervised by Dr Beatrice Muriithi (icipe) and Dr Hillary Bett (Egerton University, Kenya). Her research interest is in impact assessment, microeconomics, development economics, behavioural economics and food security. She is currently researching on the impact of IPM training on the knowledge and perceptions of mango farmers, their demand for fruit fly IPM and on their mango production loss in Elgeyo Marakwet.  Stephie completed her BSc studies in Economics and Statistics at Egerton University. She is currently registered for a MSc in Agricultural and Applied Economics at Egerton University.

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