DRIP MSc scholar

Michael Kofia Landi

Research project: Optimizing annotation of bovine immunoglobulin sequences, novel germline allele discovery and simulation of antibody repertoire evolution in African bovine breeds. Michael is a DRIP MSc scholar supervised by Dr Dan Masiga (icipe), Dr. Jean-Baka Domelevo Entfellner (BecA-ILRI hub), Dr. Sonal Henson (ILRI) and Dr. Samwuel O. Odiwuor (Pwani University). He is currently undertaking his research project at the BecA-ILRI hub aimed at characterizing germline genes of African bovine breeds immunogenetics. He has developed a keen interest in Immunoinformatics through his master project and developing workflow management systems to enhance reproducible and scalable data analysis. Michael completed his undergraduate studies in Biochemistry at Pwani University and currently undertaking his MSc in Bioinformatics supported by EANBiT.

Festus Mokaya Nyasimi

Research Project: An Expanded Motif Assessment and Ranking Suite for Human and Insects Festus Nyasimi is a DRIP MSc scholar supervised by Caleb Kibet and Dr. Daniel Masiga (icipe). His research interests are in the field of epidemiology, virology, regulatory genomics and bioinformatics. He is actively engaged in training and community outreach events and he is the lead at the Bioinformatics Hub of Kenya, a platform that fosters networking, training, and collaborations between bioinformatics researchers and students within the region. Festus completed his undergraduate studies in Microbiology and Biotechnology at University of Nairobi, Kenya, and he has a PGD in Health Research Methods from Pwani University. He is also an Open Life Science (OLS) mentee.  He is currently undertaking his MSc Bioinformatics fellow project supported by the EANBiT Project.

John Oketch

Research Project:  Comparison of the patterns of spread of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in Africa using virus sequence data. John is a DRIP MSc scholar supervised by Dr. Dan Masiga (icipe), Prof James Nokes (KEMRI Wellcome Trust) and Dr. Everlyne Isoe (Pwani university). His research project is aimed at comparison of the patterns of spread of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in Africa using virus sequence data. He completed his BSc studies in Molecular and Cellular biology at Kenyatta University, Kenya. He is currently pursuing MSc in Bioinformatics supported by EANBiT.

Henrick Aduda

Research project: Characterizing transmission dynamics of viral haemorrhagic fever outbreaks in Uganda using sequence data (2000-Present) Henrick is a DRIP MSc scholar supervised by Dr Dan Masiga (icipe), Dr. Jonathan Kayondo (UVRI), Prof. Matthew Cotten (MRC-Uganda), Dr. Etienne de Villiers (KEMRI-Wellcome Trust) and Dr. Julius Lutwaama (UVRI). His research interest is in emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases in Africa. Henrick is currently researching on the transmission dynamics of VHF outbreaks in Uganda using collated sequence data from 2000 to 2020. Henrick completed his undergraduate studies in Biotechnology at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kenya. He is currently registered for an MSc at Pwani University, Kenya and is supported by the EANBIT scholarship based at ICIPE.

Henry Shamallah Chonerwa

Research Project: The contribution of mobile phone communication to small-scale crop farming in Bungoma County, Kenya. Henry is a DRIP MSc scholar supervised by Dr. Saliuo Niassy (icipe) and Dr. Rebbecca Ng’ang’a (Daystar University, Nairobi). His research interest is in mobile phone application in farming, particularly small-scale. Henry is currently researching on the contribution of mobile phone communication to small-scale crop farming in Bungoma County, Kenya. Henry completed his BSc degree in Computer Science at Kisii University, Kenya and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Communication at Daystar University, Nairobi Kenya, under DAAD scholarship.

Joseph Mulama Atemia

Research Project: Mining next-generation genome sequencing data for genetic diversity assessment of eastern Africa finger millet blast fungus Joseph is a DRIP MSc Scholar supervised by Dr Dan Masiga (icipe) and Prof Santie De Villiers and Prof Suhaila Hashim (Pwani University, Kenya).  His research interest is on the assessment of the genetic diversity of finger millet blast fungus in eastern Africa. Joseph is currently undertaking his MSc. degree in Bioinformatics at Pwani University, Kenya funded by EANBiT. He completed his Bachelor of science in Biochemistry at Pwani University in Kilifi, on identification and comparison of cultivable bacterial and fungal communities associated with the rhizosphere and endosphere of intercropped Amaranthus spp. in Kilifi Kenya.

Collins Bulinda

Research project: Assessment of economic viability of different business models in Kenya's emerging insect feed value chain Collins is a DRIP MSc Scholar supervised by Drs. Monica Fisher and Holger Kirscht (icipe) and Dr. Eric Gido (Egerton University, Kenya). His research interest is on food policy issues, value chain analysis, financial research and impact studies and is currently developing effective business models for insect-based feed value chain, a case of Hermetia illucens under INSFEED II project, funded by World Bank. Collins is currently undertaking his Msc degree in Agribusiness Management at The Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Agriculture and Agribusiness Management (CESAAM) at Egerton University (Kenya). He completed his BSc studies in Agribusiness Management from Egerton University.

Patrick Ocitti

Research project title:  Validation of hot water post-harvest treatment on Uganda's mango varieties for quarantine security against Fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis)" Patrick is a DRIP Msc Scholar in the Plant health theme supervised by Dr. Samira Faris (icipe) and Prof. Ann M. Akol (Makerere University).  His research interests focus to optimize hot water post-harvest treatment of mangoes against B. dorsalis of Ugandan mango varieties and this attain quarantine security for fruits. He completed his undergraduate studies in BSc. Agriculture in Gulu university, Uganda.

Jane Kagure Njaramba

Research Project title: A molecular Survey of Viral and Bacterial Zoonotic pathogens in Bushmeat Jane is a DRIP MSc scholar supervised by Dr. Lillian Wambua (icipe and University of Nairobi) and Prof. Titus Mukiama (University of Nairobi). Her research interest is in zoonoses, including their transmission through arthropod vectors, animal health and wildlife conservation. She is currently researching the presence of viral and bacterial pathogens in bushmeat being sold in key locations in Kenya. Jane completed her undergraduate studies in Forensic Science in Kenyatta University, Kenya. She is currently registered for a MSc. Genetics at the University of Nairobi, Kenya and is supported by a scholarship from Gandhi Smarak Nithi.

Loretta Wangui Mugo

Research project title: Evaluation of microbiological hazards and related toxins associated with unprocessed and processed edible grasshoppers Loretta is a DRIP MSc Scholar supervised by Dr. Sevgan Subramanian. Her areas of interest include, but are not limited to food microbiology and toxicology. She will be evaluating the microbiological hazards and toxins associated with edible grasshoppers widely consumed in Uganda. This study proposed to determine the optimal processing techniques to make grasshoppers safe for consumption and also to prolong their shelf life. She obtained her undergraduate in Food Science and Technology and is currently registered at the University of Nairobi for her MSc. in Food Safety and Quality.

Subscribe to DRIP MSc scholar