DRIP MSc scholar

Judith Nabwire Oundo

Research Project: Bio-ecology of False codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in Capsicum Agro-Systems in Selected Counties in Lower Eastern. Judith Nabwire is a DRIP MSc Scholar supervised by Dr Shepard Ndlela. Her research aims to determine the occurrence, host interaction and management of Thaumatotibia leucotreta in Capsicum production system for improved foreign earnings and farmers livelihood.  She completed her BSc in Horticulture at the University of Nairobi. She is currently registered for her MSc in Crop protection at University of Nairobi

Gno-Solim Ela N'Dakpaze

Research Project: Climate Resilience of Tomato Production Using Climate Smart pest management technologies, Uganda. N’dakpaze Gnô-Sôlim Ela is a DRIP MSc. Scholar supervised by Dr. Henri Tonnang (icipe), Prof Daniel Olago (University of Nairobi), Dr. Dorothy Amwata (South Eastern Kenya University). His research aims to find the barriers /opportunities and the importance of digital tools in the adoption of climate Smart Pest Management Technologies (parasitoids) in sustainable management of invasive pest Tuta absoluta in Uganda. He completed his BSc in Biological Sciences at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa and a Diploma in psychology at AMANI. He is currently pursuing his MSc in Climate Change and Adaptation at the University of Nairobi. Gnô-Sôlim Ela has a certification in Integrated Environmental impact assessment and environmental Audit.

Victor Ochieng Omondi

Research Project: Characterization of Rumen Metabolites including Greenhouse Gases. Research interest: Victor Omondi is a trained Chemist from the University of Kabianga and is presently an MSc Analytical Chemistry student at the University of Nairobi, Department of Chemistry. Omondi is an aspiring research scientist with interests in Analytical chemistry, Environmental Conservation & Sustainability. His beliefs revolve around the application of chemistry principles to solve existing societal, environmental and biotechnological problems through research aided by modern Analytical techniques and instruments. His present research on characterization of rumen metabolites including greenhouse gases aims at providing insights on the rumen chemistry and greenhouse gas emission among livestock within a pastoral set up. This is in abid to design practical approach of making livestock green and less vulnerable to vectors. Research goals: Apply chemistry Concepts to develop novel practical mechanisms of mitigating environmental pollution vis-a-vis climate change.

Kawira Mathenge

Research project title:  Investigating the role of wildlife in the transmission of Animal trypanosomiasis in Shimba Hills National Reserve, Kwale County, Kenya. Research goals: Her research focuses on elucidating the importance of sylvatic transmission to animal trypanosomiasis, as well as understanding the transmission of trypanosomes between wildlife and livestock in Shimba Hills National Reserve, allowing animal health agencies to better manage disease risk and better localise and prioritise control strategies. Supervisors: Dr. Daniel Masiga (Animal Health) and Dr. Andrew Jackson (University of Liverpool) Bio: Kawira graduated from the University of Nairobi with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry in 2016. In 2017, she joined icipe as a research assistant in the molecular biology and bioinformatics unit under the supervision of Dr. Dan Masiga. She participated in a study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of icipe’s tsetse fly repellent technology for controlling Animal African Trypanosomiasis (AAT). Her role was to evaluate the prevalence of trypanosomiasis in cattle enrolled in the study, which took place in the villages around the Shimba Hills National Reserve, Kenya. In 2018, she participated in a collaborative project with the Jackson laboratory (University of Liverpool) where she assisted a post-doctoral fellow from Liverpool in a study aimed at testing an approach for analysing Trypanosoma congolense variant antigen diversity in sequence data. From this, she was able to receive 6 months training at the University of Liverpool on trypanosome genomics which enabled her to generate and analyse transcriptomes first hand. She won an International Master's Fellowship grant with Wellcome Trust in 2019 and pursed her MSc in Advanced Biological Sciences at the University of Liverpool. She is currently focused on her fellowship project at icipe where she is investigating the role of wildlife in the transmission of AAT in Shimba Hills National Reserve.

Stephen Mangara Wainaina

Research Project: Modelling Pest Incidence repeated measures In Long-term Farming Systems Research interest: Modelling repeated measures of agricutural designed experiments using generalized linear mixed models. Research goals: To see how climate change impact on pest incidence and to see how different farming systems show their resistance to pest in long-term farming systems. Host project and funding: Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL Supervisors: Dr. Chrysantus Mbi Tanga, Prof Anthony Waititu and Dr, Daisy Salifu. Bio: I completed my undergraduate studies in Mathematics and computer science in Taita Taveta Univercity (TTU), Kenya. I am currently registered for an MSc at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).

Tracy Wanjiku Maina

Research Project: Elucidating the horizontal transmission routes of Anopheles Symbiont Microsporidia MB Research interest: To evaluate different transmission routes and transmission rates of the symbiont Microsporidia MB in Anopheles arabiensis. Research goals: Exploring Microsporidia MB as a possible biocontrol tool for Malaria Host project and funding: Symbiovector Supervisors: Dr Jeremy Herren and Dr. Tullu Bukhari (ICIPE) Bio: I joined ICIPE in November 2019 as an intern under the symbiovector team.I completed my undergraduate studies in Medical Microbiology in 2019 and i am currently doing a masters in Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics in JKUAT.

Afrika Onguko Okello

Research project: Assessment of farmers perceptions, preferences and cost-effectiveness of insect-based chicken feed in Kiambu County, Kenya Afrika is a DRIP MSc scholar supervised by Dr. Michael Kidoido (icipe) and Drs. Jonathan Nzuma; David Jakinda (University of Nairobi). Her research is on the current challenges experienced in chicken production, particularly stemming from high feed cost, the future production of chicken products is at stake and consequently the ability of the industry to meet the demand for chicken products. The innovative insect-based chicken feed (IBF) that incorporates insect protein into the formulation diet is expected to revolutionize the chicken sub-sector and consequently lead to the emergence of an insect-value chain, to ensure mass production of insects and the sustainability of these two industries. The question, however, arises: are chicken-producers ready to take up such a novel feed and what improvements would they like to experience with this feed to avoid the setbacks that has prevented the chicken industry from realizing its full potential? Her study therefore seeks to evaluate the role of perceptions of farmers towards the IBF and their willingness to pay (WTP) for the attributes of this feed. Afrika obtained her undergraduate degree from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (BSc. Agricultural Economics and Rural Development). She is currently undertaking her MSc. Agricultural and Applied Economics at the University of Nairobi.

Brian Bwanya Edward

Research Project: Comparing mitochondrial genes of Aedes aegypti strains in East Africa to strictly anthropophagic strains in other continents Brian is a DRIP MSc scholar supervised by Drs. Jandouwe Villinger, David Tchouassi (icipe), and Dr. David Mburu (Pwani University). My research interest is in the application of molecular Biology and Bioinformatics to understand the dynamics of vectors of epidemiological concern. My current research seeks to elucidate mitochondrial variation in forest and domestic forms of Aedes aegypti and how these variations correlate with dengue outbreak occurrence patterns in East Africa and continents outside Africa. He has developed interest in bioinformatics while involved in a study at the Walter Reed Project aimed at determining and characterizing the phylogeny of Phasi Charoen-like viruses. Brian completed his BSc in Biotechnology from Masinde Muliro University.  He is currently registered for MSc Bioinformatics at Pwani University supported by the EANBiT project.

Bakari Kaneno Salim

Research project: Prevalence and intensity of schistosomiasis in Biomphalaria and Bulinus snail species in river Asao in Kisumu County, Western Kenya. Salim is a DRIP MSc scholar supervised by Drs. Ulrike Fillinger, Tullu Bukhari, Mr. Akbar Ganatra (icipe) and Dr. Cyrus Oyieko (Maseno University).  His research interest is in locating transmission sources of schistosomiasis in inland waters. He is currently investigating the correlation between microscopy and molecular PCR-based techniques in determining the parasite load of the infection in intermediate host snails. Salim completed his BSc in Basic Science, Zoology (with IT) at Maseno University, Kenya and is currently registered for his MSc in Applied Parasitology and Vector Biology at Maseno University.

Mercy Jemutai Kibii

Research project: Diversity and performance of egg parasitoids of Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) on maize in Kenya Mercy is a DRIP MSc Scholar supervised by Drs. Subramanian Sevgan, Samira Mohamed (icipe), and Dr. Felister Nzuve (University of Nairobi). Her research interest is in natural enemies of Fall armyworm which include egg parasitoids and how these parasitoids can be incorporated in Fall armyworm Integrated Pest Management strategies.  Her current research focuses on diversity of egg parasitoids in different agro ecologies of Kenya and assessment of their effectiveness on Fall armyworm eggs under controlled conditions in the laboratory. Mercy completed her BSc studies in Zoology/Botany at University of Eldoret. She is currently registered for her MSc in Crop Protection at the University of Nairobi supported by a scholarship from Regional Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM).

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