Collins Adoyo joined ILRI – Humidtropics Program as a Research Technician – Data Collection and Management on 1 October, 2013. Collins holds a BSc. IT from Kenyatta University, Diploma in IT Kenya School of Monetary Studies, Short Courses in Biostatistics and M&E of HIV/AIDS Programs from University of Nairobi Institute of Infectious Diseases (UNITID).Collins has over 5 years’ experience in Research activities of Data Collection and Management. Before joining ILRI, Collins worked for KEMRI/CDC as a Data Specialist in the Influenza Program where he played a pivot role in mobile applications development, database development, data management, analysis and reporting.

Stephen Mwalimu:- Stephen Mwalimu joined ILRI as a Research Technician, Cellular Immunology on October 12013. He has more than five years research experience in immunology of infectious diseases combined with experience in teaching and laboratory management. Mwalimu career track included research studies with University of Georgia/KEMRI, State University of New York/KEMRI and several Medical Diagnostic Laboratories. He has a BSc. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and Higher Diploma in Immunology and Haematology from Technical University of Kenya. Currently Pursuing MSc. Degree in Infectious Disease (Immunology option) at Kenyatta University.   Research Interests: Immune response to infectious diseases.

Benjamin Nzau joined ILRI, vaccine platform group as Research Technician Immunology/ Immunochemistry on 1 October 2013. He has more than five years’ experience in microbiology/virology.
Nzau professional research track has involved investigating Non Typhi Salmonella ability to transfer resistant plasmid at the Centre for Microbiology Research, KEMRI. Recently, he has been working on HIV research at the Centre for Virology Research, KEMRI and McGill University AIDS Centre, Canada involving commercial sex workers research project which was a joint study between Manitoba University, University of Nairobi (UNITID) and KEMRI. He has a BSc in Microbiology and currently awaiting his Master’s thesis defence in Molecular Biology.

Anthony Warui, joining in as the Commercial Services Manager on 1 October 2013. He has more than eight years’ experience in real property management, facilities management, contract management, project management, occupational health and safety, environmental issues, risk and management of outsourced services. Until the time of joining ILRI, Anthony has been working at Kenya Commercial Bank, Facilities and property Management department as the facilities and property manager in charge of more than 200 properties and 115 offsite ATM locations. He has also been part of the Banks cross-functional team working on having the Bank ISO 14001 certification on Environmental Management.  Anthony is a member of the Institution of surveyors of Kenya (Valuation and Estate Management Chapter) and an associate of Institute of Real Estate Management – IREM. He has a Bachelors degree in Land Economics (Real Estate) from the University Of Nairobi.

Kenneth Muriithi joined ILRI as an Office Assistant on 2 October, 2013. He has more than five years’ experience as an educator specializing in improving literacy level among the immigrants. Muriithi’s career growth has involved close association with the private sector whereby he has come up with several programs aimed at improving the quality of teaching & learning Mathematics in schools and its application in real life. He is also a web developer.

Eunice Machuka joins the BecA Hub as a Research Technician on 7 October 2013. She has vast experience in molecular biology, bioinformatics and biochemical techniques gained during her durations of employment, research, attachment and internships at the Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia, icipe, KARI-TRC, South African National Bioinformatics Institute (SANBI) and Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI). Eunice has been rigorously involved with regional capacity building activities particularly the Wellcome Trust Advanced Courses on ‘Molecular Approaches to Clinical Microbiology in Africa’. She has a BSc in Biochemistry and an MSc in Biotechnology funded in part by a World Federation of Scientists scholarship and the Biosciences Eastern and Central Africa Network (BecANet) Competitive Graduate Fellowship. She participated in the International Glossina Genome Initiative (IGGI), a consortium of scientists assembling the Glossina genome and has also worked at the KEMRI and Regal Pharmaceutical Limited in Nairobi. Eunice intends to reinforce her career by following on her research interests to investigate host-pathogen interactions with a view of developing new and/or better intervention methods.

Mwangi Kamau joined ILRI as an Office Assistant on 1 October 2013 under Biosciences Directorate Department.  Previously, Mwangi worked with Chemserve Cleaning Services Limited and ILRI’s Transport Department. He holds a certificate in computer graphics design and other computer packages. He is a good driver and holds Valid Kenyan driver’s license.

Alex Muli joined ILRI as a Programme Accountant on 1 October 2013. He has over four years’ experience as an Accountant. Before joining ILRI he has worked with World Vision Kenya and the International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe). He holds a B.Com Degree in Finance from Kenyatta University and is currently pursuing his final qualification as A Certified Public Accountant of Kenya.

Robert Lechipan joined ILRI as a Marketing and Capacity Development Assistant on 14 October 2013. He has worked with various NGOs in Marsabit County particularly with BOMA Project as a research fellow and a consultant evaluating the micro-enterprises owned by women supported by BOMA. Having previously worked for a year as a Technical Assistant, Livelihood Diversification program with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) project on Enhancing Community Resilience Against Drought (ECoRAD) in Marsabit County, he has considerable experience on rural entrepreneurship, market linkage and Village Community Banks (VICOBAs). He also worked with the Marketing and Agribusiness sector at Equity Bank Head Office as a Relationship Officer in charge of Coffee and other high value crops.  Robert holds a B.A. Philosophy, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Kenya and Bsc. Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Management, EARTH University, Costa Rica. He also holds a certificate in bio-informatics and computational biology. He speaks fluent Spanish.

Pauline Gikemi was appointed as a Budgets & Grants Officer for Biosciences on 15 October 2013.  She has over four years’ experience in audit, grants and financial management. She joined ILRI as a Grants Accountant in October 2012.  Prior to joining ILRI she worked as a Chief Accountant with World Relief International Kenya and an Audit Associate at Deloitte & Touche. Pauline holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance from Strathmore University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Ngubia Mwangi joined ILRI Finance Department as a Property Accountant in May 2008; recently moved to Food, Safety and Zoonosis as a Programme Accountant. He has more than 7 years’ experience in both  ‘not for profit’ and ‘for profit’ organizations. He is a Certified Public Accountant, holds a Master’s degree in Economics and an undergraduate in Economics & Sociology and is currently pursuing Financial Risk Management certification (GARP, Financial Risk Manager -FRM®).

David Barasa joined ILRI as a program assistant on 23 October 2013 to work with a SIDA-funded program in the BecA-ILRI Hub. Previously he worked under ILRI’s Housing Conferencing and Catering as food and beverage supervisor and with Cafe Royale Limited as a station manager.  David holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Hotel and Institution Management from Maseno University in Kenya and has completed his Masters’ degree in Business Administration from the University of Nairobi awaiting Graduation. David has had a wide experience in customer care and service; having worked with different hospitality companies in Kenya.

Eric Anyona has been appointed as an Administrative Assistant in the Animal science for sustainable productivity program effective 1 October, 2013. He has seven years’ experience in administrative and logistical support. He has previously worked in the private sector as an administrator. He holds a diploma in Business Administration from Kenya Polytechnic University College(Now Technical University of Kenya).