Experience

ICIPE - International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology

• Kenya
• Research
• 500 - 600 Employee

• Wellcome Trust Graduate Fellow

  • Sep 2019 - Present

  -Led a project that examined the role of sylvatic transmission of Animal African Trypanosomiasis in livestock by quantifying wildlife-to-livestock transmission in Shimba Hills National Park through Whole Genome Sequencing-Planned and executed research activities to completion -Monitored the progress of experiments and research project activities in a timely manner.-Designed, developed, and modified research experiments in investigating the role of wildlife in the transmission of animal trypanosomiasis-Performed field research with a technical team and gathered data to begin the fellowship project.-Performed thorough research and analysis of data and created reports on research activities.-Facilitated innovative learning experiences and hands-on training in laboratory techniques. Show less

• Research Assistant

  • Jul 2017 - Sep 2019

  -A member of the molecular biology and bioinformatics unit in the animal health department. -Participated in projects that aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of icipe’s tsetse fly repellent technology for controlling Animal African Trypanosomiasis (AAT). -Evaluated the prevalence of trypanosomiasis in cattle in villages around Shimba Hills National Reserve in Kwale County. -Screening for trypanosome infection in livestock blood samples both at the field site and in the laboratories -Setting up NGU and Bi-conical traps to monitor the distribution and diversity of tsetse fly populations in a particular area.-Developed a PCR-HRM assay that could rapidly identify and differentiate trypanosome infections based on their distinct melt curve profiles which could lead to more rapid identification of trypanosome diversities in wild population and flag the presence of novel trypanosomes, hence providing a better understanding of trypanosome epidemiology and disease risks. Show less



Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool

• United Kingdom

• Research Intern

  • Feb 2019 - Jul 2019

  -A member of a research group (Dr Andrew Jackson) that specializes in the genetics of trypanosome parasites which translated to a better understanding of how to efficiently investigate pathogens that cause diseases from a molecular and cellular level, as well as a better understanding of the biology of host-pathogen interactions that could improve diagnostics in animals and potentially develop new treatments and vaccines. -Received training in trypanosome genomics by being a part of a project that aimed at examining trypanosome gene expression in naturally infected tsetse flies through transcriptomics. This was to confirm that specific variant antigen genes are expressed in the fly mouthparts prior to inoculation into a vertebrate host. -Generated and analyzed trypanosome transcriptomes firsthand and presented my work at the British Society of Parasitology,(BSP) conference Show less



Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI)

• Popo Road, South C

• Intern at Food Division

  • Apr 2017 - Jun 2017



Heidelberg University Biochemistry Center

• Research Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Undergraduate Research Assistant

  • Jul 2015 - Aug 2015

  -I joined the department "Circadian Rhythms and Molecular Clocks" (Prof. Brunner) at Heidelberg University Biochemistry Center. -I supported a project investigating the mechanism of posttranslational modifications (PTMs) of the central transcription factor in the molecular clock of the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa. -During this period, I was able to learn and carry out various techniques in the laboratory. These included: -Growing Neurospora crassa on solid medium and preservation of strains -Growing Neurospora crassa in liquid medium and obtaining material for protein and RNA analysis -Isolation of non-denatured protein of fungal cells -Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Polyarcylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) -Western Blot (semi-dry) -Isolation of mRNA of fungal cells -cDNA synthesis -quantitative real time PCR Show less



Mastermind Tobacco Limited

• Mombasa Road, Nairobi

• Laboratory Assistant

  • Jun 2015 - Jul 2015

  During my time at Mastermind Tobacco, I learnt the following skills: -Sampling of raw materials used in the cigarette making -Processing of tobacco for cigarette making -Quality control in filter making departments -Quality control in cigarette making department -Quality control for packed cigarettes before release to the market -Analysis of moisture contents for tobacco using brabender oven and probe -Pressure drop and circumference measurements for cigarettes -Weight control using analytical balance Show less