PARTICIPANTS
Tigist Assefa
Ethiopia
Position: icipe ARPPIS PhD Scholar
Manuscript title: VOLATILE EXCHANGE BETWEEN UNDAMAGED PLANTS BOOSTS THE INDIRECT DEFENCE OF NEIGHBOURING PLANTS
Tigist Assefa is a PhD research fellow under African Regional Postgraduate Programme in Insect Science (ARPPIS). Tigist holds a Bachelors degree in Applied Biology and Masters degree in Insect science from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia in 2008 and 2011, respectively. Before she joined ARPPIS, she worked as a research assistant in Addis Ababa University on SIDA funded research project. Her current research focuses on understanding the chemical ecology of plant-plant communication and plant-insect interactions with the view of developing novel pest management strategies.
Allan Mweke
Kenya
Position: icipe DRIP PhD Scholar
Manuscript title: Evaluation of pathogenicity of Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana isolates to cowpea aphid (Aphis craccivora Koch)
Bio
I am a PhD DRIP scholar at Humboldt University Germany, working on integrated management of cowpea aphid (Aphis craccivora Koch) using entomopathogenic fungi and cultural practices. Prior to joining icipe i was working for KEPHIS and have experience in quarantine control, Phytosanitary inspections, regulation of research in bio-control and biotechnology, pest risk analysis, pest surveillance, pest diagnosis and seed inspections and certification and variety testing. I have also worked with University of Nairobi where i was involved in technology transfer to smallholder farmers involved in horticultural production. Prior to that i worked for ADRA in a food security project.
Daniel Ouso
Kenya
Position: icipe DRIP MSc Scholar
Manuscript title: High Resolution Melt Analysis for Forensic Identification and Discrimination of Illegal Bushmeat and Wildlife Species Based on Three Mitochondrial Genes
Daniel is a graduate of Molecular and Cell Biology and currently a Postgraduate student of Molecular Bioilogy and Bioinformatics. For the past about two years he has been involved in various research applying high resolution melt analysis tools in arboviral surveillance and other microoganisms of disease vectors including mosquitoes, ticks, sandflies and also works with cell cultures for virus propagation. He is currently using HRMA as a tool for forensic species identification and discrimination of illegal bushmeat in tackling the menance of loss of biodiversity through poaching.
Joseph Mwangi
Manuscript title: Aflatoxin contamination of maize grains stored in commercial and strategic grain reserve warehouses in Kenya
Kenya
Position: icipe DRIP MSc Scholar
Joseph is a DRIP Fellow supervised by Dr. Christopher Mutungi (icipe). Joseph research interests include, Post-harvest loss assessment, grain post harvest loss and pest management, aflatoxin analysis and control. Joseph is currently researching on post-harvest losses in commercial and strategic grain reserve warehouses in Kenya. The research aims get nationwide data on the types, causes, and magnitude of post-harvest losses in commercial and strategic grain reserve warehouses. Joseph completed his undergraduate studies in bachelor of Food science and technology at Egerton University, Kenya and is currently registered for an MSc degree in Food Science and technology at Egerton University.
Sheila Agha
Cameroon
Position: icipe ARPPIS PhD Scholar
Manuscript title: Species abundance and distribution of potential dengue and yellow fever vectors in urban and peri-urban areas of Kenya
I am a PhD research fellow at icipe Nairobi, registered at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. My research work is fully sponsored by DAAD and NIH. Previously, I received a scholarship from DAAD to pursue an MPhil. degree in medical Entomology. My c
Nelly Ndungu
Kenya
Position: icipe ARPPIS PhD Scholar
Manuscript title: Morphometrics and DNA barcoding of Hypotrigona species (Apidae: Meliponini) in Kenya
Ms. Nelly Ndungu is a PhD research fellow under African Regional Postgraduate Programme in Insect Science (ARPPIS), 2014 registered at the University of Pretoria. Nelly holds a Bachelors degree in Biomedical Science and Technology and a Masters degree Biochemistry from Egerton University. She is experienced in various molecular laboratory techniques and Stingless bee studies. Stingless bees are important in production of honey and for pollination. The Hypotrigona group of stingless bees produce unique sweet honey with lemonade taste. In the light of the global decline in honey bee populations, conservation of stingless bees is important to sustain their value to pollination and honey production. This is only possible if their domestication could be achieved. The potential for domestication and conservation of the Hypotrigona species relies on sound knowledge of their taxonomy, behaviour and developmental biology. This study is aimed at improving our ecological knowledge, towards understanding the taxonomic status and commercial use of the Hypotrigona species.
Lawrence Wamiti
Kenya
Position: icipe ARPPIS PhD Scholar
Manuscript title: Effects of entomopatogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae on development of trypanosomes in Glossina fuscipes fuscipes and its vector competense
Lawrence is a Medical Laboratory Science graduate registered in Mount Kenya University and has been working in the Arthropod Pathology Unit under the supervision of Dr Fathiya at Duduville Campus, Kenya. Lawrence main interest is to investigate biological control of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD's) vectors, specifically Trypanosomiasis affecting man and his animals. This disease is caused by trypanosomes whose sole vector is tsetse flies. For the past two years,Lawrence has been investigating the effects of Entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae on development of Trypanosoma congolense in the vector Glossina fuscipes fuscipes and the flies ability to successfully acquire and transmit the parasite.
Richard Nyamota
Kenya
Position: icipe DRIP MSc Scholar
Manuscript title: Molecular detection and prevalence of arbovirus strains infecting free-ranging non-human primates in Kenya
Richard is an MSc (Biochemistry) student at Egerton University, Njoro. He is interested in studying the prevalence and genetic diversity of zoonotic pathogens infections in non-human primates. Currently he is working to determine prevalence of arbovirus strain in non-human primates (NHPs) in Kenya with keen interest in evolution and genetic diversity and hence zoonotic potential. Arboviruses can be transmitted from NHPs into humans by Zoophilic mosquitoes hence medically important pathogens. Prior to joining Egerton for my MSc, he was an intern the institute of primate research immediately after obtaining his BSc degree (Biochemistry/Zoology) from Kenyatta University.
Daniel Mutyambai
Kenya
Position: icipe Postdoctoral Fellow
Manuscript title: Emission of oviposition-induced semiochemicals modulating parasitoids response in hybrid maize
Dr. Daniel Munyao Mutyambai, is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the icipe’s Push-Pull programme. He holds a PhD in Chemical Ecology from North West University, South Africa (2015); a Master of Science in Entomology from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya (2011) and a BSc (Hons), Biology/Chemistry from Maseno University, Kenya (2007). Daniel studies tritrophic interactions of maize-stemborer pests and parasitoids where he is involved in the identification of plant defence elicitor(s) from stemborer eggs. His research interests are in host-vector/pest-parasitoid tritrophic interactions and exploitation of semiochemicals mediated by these interactions for development of innovative pest management approaches.
Sarah Achola
Kenya
Position: icipe Research Assistant
Manuscript title: The Anatomy of Coffee Production in the Taita Hills, Kenya
Sarah Achola is the research assistant for the Adaptation for Ecosystem Resilience in Africa. She has a background in environmental planning and management and a Master of Science in Climate Change studies, specializing in ecosystem based adaptation. Her specific strengths are in socio-economic data collection and analysis and assessment of vulnerability and climate change adaptation strategies. Her research areas include climate change adaptation, food security, livelihoods and coffee production.
Kukom Edoh Ognakossan
Togo
Position: icipe DRIP MSc Scholar
Manuscript title: Postharvest impacts of rodents on the quantity and quality of the on-farm stored maize in the low land tropical agro-ecological zone of Kenya.
Kukom is a DRIP MSc Scholar at ICIPE. His research interests include grain postharvest management, storage systems and food safety. Kukom is currently researching on postharvest losses of maize by rodents in on-farm storage in Kenya. The aims of the project are to generate nationally representative data on the magnitude of rodents postharvest losses in on-farm maize storage systems, identify factors responsible for the losses, determine diversity of rodents species associated to the losses and impact of rodents damage on grains contamination by storage moulds and aflatoxin. He is currently registered for MSc in Food Science and technology at JKUAT.
Teresiah Njihia
Kenya
Position: icipe ARPPIS PhD Scholar
Manuscript title: Kairomones of the coffee bug Antestiopsis thunbergii and their potential application in management of the pest
Bio
I'm a 28 years old lady of Kenyan nationality. I have been affliated to icipe for the past four years, as a volunteer, Masters student and currently a PhD student in my 2nd year. My research speciality is on crop protection using sustainable mechanisms such as utilizing host volatiles and insect pheromones for manipulation and management of insect pests.
Soul-kifouly G. Midingoyi
Benin
Position: icipe DRIP PhD Scholar
Manuscript title: Evaluating Food Security Impact from Biological Control of Cereal Stemborers in Kenya: Application of the continuous treatment approach
Mr Soul Midingoyi is currently a PhD research fellow under icipe’s DRIP program and is registered as PhD candidate at Kenyatta University, Kenya. Soul holds a Masters in rural economics from Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL), Belgium, and Agric.Engineer in Agricultural economics from Université d’Abomey-Calavi (UAC), Benin. His work experience includes a two-year Post-Masters Research Fellow at the Impact Assessment Program of Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) and Researcher in agricultural policy analysis at the agricultural research institute of Benin. His area of expertise covers impact assessment of development programs and he is co-author of some papers in socio-economic impact assessment.
Esther Abonyo
Kenya
Position: icipe DRIP PhD Scholar
Manuscript title: ESTABLISHMENT, SPREAD AND PARASITISM OF CEREAL STEM BORERS BY COTESIA FLAVIPES CAMERON IN DIFFERENT AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONES IN KENYA
Esther Abonyo undertook her Bachelor of Science studies at Kenyatta University. She graduated with a BSc (Zoology) and was awarded a scholarship that enabled her to enroll for a Master in Science (Agricultural Entomology) at the same institution. After a year of coursework, she carried out her project work at icipe under the Entomopathology Unit. Upon completion, she then served as a Junior Professional Officer at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for four years before being awarded a scholarship to undertake doctorate studies in Entomology at icipe. She is registered at the University of Nairobi.
Ruth Chepchirchir
Position: icipe DRIP PhD Scholar
Manuscript title: Economic analysis of push-pull technology in Eastern Uganda
Ruth is an ARPPIS PhD Fellow supervised by Prof. Zeyaur Khan (icipe), Dr. Alice Murage (KALRO) and Dr. Ibrahim Macharia (Kenyatta University. Ruth’s research interest includes impact assessment, sustainable agricultural and rural development, agricultural policy, and is currently researching on the Economics of Integrating Push-Pull Technology in Smallholder Maize-Dairy Farming Systems in Uganda. The aim of her research is to carry out a comprehensive economic analysis of integrating push-pull technology in maize-dairy farming systems in Eastern Uganda, while evaluating its impact on household welfare. Ruth has submitted two scientific papers which are currently under review by European Journal of Development Research (EJDR) and Food security journal.
Kenya
Protus Mulati
Kenya
Position: icipe DRIP MSc Scholar
Manuscript title: EVALUATION OF NEONICOTINOID RESIDUES IN HIVE PRODUCTS FROM KIAMBU AND NAIROBI COUNTIES, AND ITS IMPLICATION ON HUMAN HEALTH AND BEES IN KENYA
I am a Kenyan Citizen who has pursued Master’s Degree in Environmental Science from Kenyatta University. I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Management from Moi University and a Diploma in Environmental Resources Management from Technical University of Kenya. I have taught Environmental studies and Environmental Science at the Technical University of Kenya for 6 years. I have a strong proposal writing, interpersonal & communication, capacity building and team building skills. I fit well in multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary teams either as a team leader and keen to learn from others.
Agnes Kiriga
Manuscript title: OCCURRENCE OF PLANT PARASITIC NEMATODES IN COMMERCIAL PINEAPPLE FIELDS OF DELMONTE AND KAKUZI, KENYA
Kenya
Position: icipe DRIP MSc Scholar
Agnes is a DRIP master’s fellow, with research interest in plant pathology, specifically nematology area. Currently she is researching on identification of plant parasitic nematodes affecting pineapple in Kenya and the effect of bio control agents on Meloidogyne spp. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from Egerton University. She has attended a Potato cyst Nematode Workshop icipe Duduville Campus, Nairobi.
Victoria Tibenda
Uganda
Position: Research Scientist, NARO, Uganda; BecA ABCF Fellow
Manuscript title: Detection and Prevalence of Aflatoxin B1 and Fumonisins in Commercial Fish Feed in the Lake Victoria Basin, Uganda
Victoria is an aquaculture scientist and currently a research fellow at the ILRI-BecA Hub. She holds a PhD in Fisheries from Rhodes University, South Africa, a Masters degree in Fisheries and Aquaculture and a Diploma in Education from Makerere University, Uganda. She has worked before as a biology teacher, university lecturer, a field extension worker and currently works with the National Agricultural Research Organization and is stationed at Aquaculture Research and Development Center in Uganda. Her current research focuses on cultured fish nutritional aspects.
Bwihangane Birindwa
Manuscript title: Risk factors and sero-prevalence of Peste des petits Ruminants virus in D R Congo
DRC
Position: Assistant lecturer
Université Evangelique en Afrique, DRC; BecA ABCF Fellow
I am a PhD scholar at the University of Nairobi and a visiting scientist at BecA-ILRI Hub under the ABCF program, I have been working as an Assistant lecturer at "Universite Evangelique en Afrique" in DRCongo since 2011 and my research area is the field of Molecular genetics,genomics and epidemiology of infectious viral diseases. Prior to joining the University of Nairobi and BecA-ILRI Hub i was in Tanzania for two years from 2013-2015 for my Masters degree in One Health Molecular Biology at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA).
Sharon Towett
Kenya
Position: icipe DRIP PhD Scholar
Manuscript title: Identification and characterization of Spiroplasma in Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes
Sharon Towett is an Masters student registered at the University of Nairobi. She did her Masters project at icipe. Prior to her Masters, Sharon did her Bachelors degree at University of Eastern Africa, Baraton after which she had a chance to do internships at Center for Diseases control and Walter Reed Project in Kisumu and Kericho respectively. She has a passion for research and especially application of molecular techniques.
Stephen Omburo Othim
Kenya
Manuscript title: Seasonal abundance of amaranth lepidopteran defoliators and the role of Phenylacetaldehyde and indigenous parasitoids in their management in Kenya
Position: icipe DRIP PhD Scholar
Stephen has a deep passion for research in agriculture. He recently completed his masters program in crop protection (Entomology) from Kenyatta University after which he was awarded a DRIP scholarship by icipe to pursue his PhD based on his findings at masters level. He has attended a training on data analysis organised by icipe and also made a presentation at the AAIS conference in 2015 in Benin. Stephen is a self driven person and has a dream of making great scientific advances through research in agriculture to achieve food security in Africa.