Postgraduate Students Profiles

EDUCATION BACKGROUND

• Master of Science in Environmental Chemistry, University of Nairobi (2025)
• Thesis title: Distribution and Characterization of Microplastics in Nairobi River.
•  Supervisors: Professor David K. Kariuki and Doctor Bridget K. Mutuma
• BSc.Ed (Chemistry and Biology), University of Dar es Salaam (2016)

            Upper Second Class Honours, GPA: 4.1

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Assistant Lecturer (2025-to date)
• Tutorial Assistant (2019-2025)
• High School Teacher (2017-2019)

AWARDS

• Certificate of attendance and participation in the 8th Annual Research Week Conference of the Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Nairobi (October 2025)
• Certificate of attendance and participation in the 7th Annual Conference of the Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Nairobi (November 2024)
• Certificate of attendance in the Pan Africa Chemistry Network Congress 2024 under the auspices of the Royal Society of Chemistry. Nairobi, Kenya (October 2024)
• Certificate of attendance for a two days short course on Pedagogical methods for teaching university students (2021)
• Certificate of Recognition for facilitating excellent performance in Chemistry for high school students (2018)
• Certificate of appreciation for participating in the Dar es Salaam University Students’ Organization as an electoral committee member (2016)

TEACHING

Ardhi University:

• 3rd  year undergraduate students, Environmental Chemistry course (1st semester)
• 2nd year undergraduate students, Toxicology and Risk Managament (2nd semester)
• 1st year undergraduate students, Basic Chemistry (1st semester
• 2nd year undergraduate students, Instrumental Methods of Analysis ( 1st semester)
• 1st year undergraduate students, Project II: Analytical  Laboratory Survey (2nd semester)

High School:       

• Chemistry and Biology for high school students

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP

• Affiliate Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry, AMRSC (Membership number: 784763)

RESEARCH INTERESTS

• Environmental sampling, Microplastics (MPs) recovery from environmental samples, and characterization of MPs.
• Ecotoxicology, Chemical pollutants, Chemical risk assessment and management, Remediation techniques for chemical pollutants.
• Material science.

Area of Specialization

Natural product chemistry:

• Isolation and Characterization; Extraction techniques, Purification and structure elucidation.
• Biological activity; antimicrobial (antiviral, antibacterial), anti-inflammatory and anticancer.
• Semi-synthesis; modification of Natural products to enhance their biological activities.
• Documentation of traditional knowledge of the plants.

Instrumentation knowledge: Nuclear magnetic Resonance (400 MHz, 500 MHz and 600 MHz), LC-ESIMS, Preparative HPLC, UV-Vis, IR, GCMS, ORD instrument, CD instrument.

Software: Chemdraw, Mnova, Endnote

Membership: AMRSC; Royal Society of Chemistry

Mr. Kiganda has published two manuscripts in the reputable Journal of Natural products. He spent his two years at Uppsala University in Sweden where he was exposed to HPLC, NMR, UV-vis, IR and LCESIMs under the supervisor Prof. Mate Erdelyi. These two years were sponsored by the Swedish research Council.

Supervisors:

Prof. Abiy Yenesew

Department of Chemistry

University of Nairobi

Prof. Albert Jairo Ndakala

Department of Chemistry

University of Nairobi

Dr. Hoseah M. Akala

Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)

He is a dedicated young professional with expertise in medicinal chemistry, computational chemistry, and synthetic chemistry, with a focus on developing new molecules for pharmaceutical applications, particularly in treating fungal infections. His work involves a blend of theoretical and hands-on research, leveraging computational tools to predict molecular interactions and validate them through synthesis and laboratory testing. Currently, he is pursuing Master of Science in Chemistry, University of Nairobi at the Department of Chemistry.

He is passionate about contributing to drug discovery by identifying novel compounds that address pressing health challenges. His background in analytical chemistry, organic and inorganic chemistry, and industrial analysis provides a solid foundation for this work.

Mr. Liyosi is currently pursing Master of Science in Environmental Chemistry at the Department of Chemistry, University of Nairobi. His research interest is on  Inorganic Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Nanomaterials, and Sensors for Environmental Sustainability.

Supervisors

1. Prof. David Kariuki

2. Dr. Bridget Mutuma

Ms. Lavender is a student pursuing MSc. in Environmental Chemistry  at the University of Nairobi, Department of Chemistry. She is currently in her 2nd year of study. Lavender works well in group setting and have excellent interpersonal and communication skills both written and spoken English. She is good at setting task priorities and using her organizational skills to improve collaboration and accomplish goals. I'm excited to put my knowledge and initiative to use in a fast-paced, demanding setting that prioritizes professionalism, progress, and career advancement while welcoming ongoing skill and knowledge improvement.

Sylvia Kamau holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Chemistry from the University of Nairobi and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Industrial Chemistry.

Topic of Study: “Phytochemical Study of Selected Dracaena Species for Anti-Inflammatory and Anticancer Principles''

Research interests:His main research interest is on isolation, structure elucidation, and hemisynthesis of bioactive natural products from medicinal plants with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties, which has led to the publication of 6 research articles in peer-reviewed journals.

He has co-authored 2 book chapters and is highly skilled in the characterization of organic molecules using modern analytical techniques including NMR, LC-MSn, semi-preparative HPLC, Column Chromatography (CC), GC-MS, X-ray diffraction analysis, CD, UV, and FT-IR.

Supervisors:

Prof Leonidah Kerubo Omosa,
Department of Chemistry,
University of Nairobi, Kenya

Prof Abiy Yenesew
Department of Chemistry,
University of Nairobi, Kenya
 

Ms. Bonareri is currently a Ph.D. in Chemistry candidate working on corrosion of steel roofing sheets. 

She did Msc Environmental Chemistry, where she worked on the analysis of the concentration of heavy metals, pesticides, and nutrients in the Lake Elementaita drainage basin.

During her BSc studies, she studied Industrial Chemistry where she worked on fluoride in Lake Bogoria.

Research title: Investigation of atmospheric corrosive behavior of metallic coated and prepainted steel roofing sheets as influenced by selected environmental parameters in marine, industrial and rural environments in Kenya.

Research interest:

1.Corrosion chemistry especially degradation of paints and corrosive behavior of steel.

2.Environmental chemistry: analysis of heavy metals, nutrients, and pesticides in different matrices.

Supervisors: Dr. John Onyatta, Prof. Amir Yusuf, and Dr. Vincent Madadi.

 Area of Specialization

Inorganic and coordination chemistry

Research Interest

Synthesis of Platinum Group Metals (PGM) Schiff base complexes and their applications in medicine and catalysis. Understanding the coordination modes, solubility, and stabilities in regards to the applications.

Topic of Study: “Occurrence, distribution and environmental impact of organophosphate
residues in the lower Tana River catchment: a case study of river Kathita in Tharaka- Nithi
county, Kenya..”

Supervisors:

Dr. Deborah A. Abongo,

Department of Chemistry,

University of Nairobi

Dr. P. M. Guto

Department of Chemistry,

University of Nairobi

Dr. J. G. Kithure

Department of Chemistry,

University of Nairobi

Dr. V.O. Madadi,

Department of Chemistry,

University of Nairobi