KENYA NATIONAL NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE CENTER (KNMRC) STAKEHOLDERS MEETING

The National Research Fund (NRF) Board of Trustees represented by Dr. J.P.R. Ochieng-Odero, Prof. Oyawa, Vainadu Ingana and Dr Salome Guchu held a Stakeholder’s Meeting on 8th June 2021 with the Management of the University of Nairobi, to discuss the progress on the implementation of infrastructure project grant to establish the Kenya National Resonance Nuclear Center (KNMRC) at the Department of Chemistry, University of Nairobi.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Kiama, of the University of Nairobi, in his remarks expressed gratitude to the National Research Fund (NRF) for its continued support in realization of the project. He added that the University is dedicated to creating and strengthening partnerships with industry and other institutions and/or organizations to maximize research outcomes. ‘We are especially proud of the contributions the University is making through our research and learning centers and institutes and their involvement with industry partners. The University of Nairobi is a research-intensive university with a reputation for excellence and a strong and vibrant research culture’.

The NRF Board of Trustee Team leader, Dr. J.P.R. Ochieng-Odero, in his remarks acknowledged what the University is doing in the region and promised to continue supporting the University’s research work to positively impact the region. He then challenged the University to take advantage of the available resources to maximize research and Innovation.

During the meeting, the KNMRC team led by Prof. John Onyari, Chairman, Department of Chemistry, reported to the stakeholders on the status of the project. This was followed by tour of the Project site (Department of Chemistry) where the KNMRC Team members demonstrated analyses of samples using the 60 MHz Magritek Spinsolve spectrometer (Figure 1, see below), acquired through the infrastructure grant from The National Research Fund – Kenya (NRF-K). The stakeholders also viewed the site where the 400 MHz Jeol NMR machine and accessories will be installed as part of the project.

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Fig.1:60MHz Nuclear Resonance Spectrometer

The 60 MHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer (Magritek Spinsolve 60 NMR, Germany, Figure 1) is fully operational and the instrument is capable of analyzing 1H, 13C and 19F nuclei, both one-dimensional (1H and 13C NMR, DEPT) and two-dimensional (COSY, ROESY, HMBC and HSQC) NMR. This will substantially improve the teaching, research and consultancy capability of the department. The KNMRC has already started providing service to students of the University of Nairobi (UON), Kenyatta University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, and r the Kenya Medical Research Institute.

We are highly grateful to The National Research Fund – Kenya for the award of the Infrastructure Development Grant, and the University for Nairobi for facilitating and handling of the grant.

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 Fig2: KNMRC team demonstrating the application of NMR to Prof. Ochanda, DVC, RIE and other participants.

 

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 Fig3: KNMRC team demonstrating the application of NMR to Prof Margaret Jesang Hutchinson is the DVC, Finance, Planning & Development, University of Nairobi