Leah Joyce Symekher joined the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) as the Capacity Development Officer in the CapDev Unit in June 2016. She will manage the fellowship program, undertake capacity development for ILRI projects and partners.  Leah joins ILRI after 10 years’ professional experience in instruction, training & development and research. Previously she worked at the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission, Institute of Economic Affairs, Kyambogo
University – Kampala, Uganda serving at various capacities. Before joining ILRI, Leah worked with Equity Bank as the training manager in the Agency Department. She holds a B.ED, Science from Egerton University and M.ED, curriculum studies from the University of Nairobi.

Gertrude Mutua was appointed as Procurement Officer in June 2016. Prior to joining ILRI, she was working in  similar capacity with International Rescue Committee. She has 5 years’ experience in procurement. Gertrude holds a BSc in supply chain management from the University of Nairobi and is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supplies (MCIPS).

Sarah Ndungu was appointed as Office Assistant in the Food Safety and Zoonoses program in June 2016. Prior to joining ILRI, she was working with African Agricultural Technology Foundation, Kenya (AATF) as a Library Assistant/ Data entry clerk. She also worked withthe International Potato Centre (CIP), as a Library Assistant.  Sarah holds a Diploma in Library and Information Sciences from Inoorero University.

Paul Mutuo joined ILRI as a laboratory technician in Mazingira Centre’s GHG laboratory in July 2016. His main role is to analyze greenhouse gas samples, calculate greenhouse gas fluxes, perform preliminary data analysis, data management and perform installations as well as maintenance of measuring equipment. Prior to this appointment Mutuo was working with World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) as a field and laboratory technician (GC laboratory) for over eight years doing similar work. He holds a diploma in computers studies from Kenya Technical University.

Maria Kinyi joined ILRI as an ICT Business Systems Analyst effective August 2016. She will be working with users and stakeholders to gather business requirements for ILRI’s Business Systems. She will also be involved in building business processes and transforming business requirements into operational systems using the organizational software platforms. She has more than 8 years’ experience in business systems and process documentations garnered from Equity Bank Limited and Telkom Kenya. She is also an expert in System security in the context of risk assessment, vulnerability assessment and defense planning. She holds a BSc in Mathematics and Computer Science from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. She is a professional member of the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA and Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA)

Abdi Jama joined the Accelerated Value Chain Development Program (AVCD) as a Driver effective August, 2016.  Prior to this appointment, Abdi was a driver/cleaner in the ILRI’s transport department since 2008. He holds a certificate in automotive mechanical engineering and defensive driving. He is also a member of the Automobile Association of Kenya.

Denis Mwangi joined the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) as a research assistant under the Integrated Genotyping Support and Service (IGSS) platform in the Bec

A-hub, in September 2016. He will be part of the team responsible for providing genotypoic and informatic support services to crop and livestock improvement programs in Africa. He holds a BSc in Biotechnology from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).

Boniface Muganda joined ILRI as Research Assistant-System and Database Admin under the Integrated Genotyping Service and Support (IGSS) at BecA-ILRI hub. He will work in collaboration with the Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT Pty Ltd, Canberra, Australia) (www.diversityarrays.com) IT team to establish and maintain the IT infrastructure of the IGSS platform under the co-management of the BecA-ILRI hub and DArT. He will also be actively involved in running of the IGSS platform and genomic data analysis. He has undergone one-year intensive training in DArTseq GBS Technology at DArT. Previously, he worked as Database Specialist at BecA-ILRI where he implemented the Riceblast Database System. He holds a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Nairobi. He has also undertaken training course in Bioinformatics from University of California, San Diego.

Samuel Muoria joined ILRI as Research Assistant under the Integrated Genotyping Service and Support (IGSS) at BecA-ILRI hub. He will work in collaboration with the Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT Pty Ltd, Canberra, Australia. Previously, Samuel worked on various research programs like Tissue culture for propagation of disease free priority crops like Cassava, Napier Grass, Vanilla among others. He has also conducted plant and animal diagnostics using serological techniques such as ELISA, development of animal vaccines and Biosafety techniques and safe handling of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) at the Kenya Medical Research Institute. He holds a BSc  in Microbiology and Biotechnology from University of Nairobi.

Martin Ngunjiri Kanyeki joined ILRI in September 2016 as Research Assistant under the Integrated Genotyping Service and Support (IGSS) at the BecA-ILRI hub. His main role will be offering technical advice on sample collection, storage, DNA extraction and shipment of DNA samples to BecA. He will also be involved in laboratory bench work operations specifically DNA extraction and processing to produce genotypic marker data using DArTdb laboratory Information Management system. He will use DArT customized data analysis tools to produce a marker report that will be the backbone of providing technical support to IGSS clients and increasing efficiency of breeding programs.  He previously worked as an intern fellow at Kenya Medical Research Institute, Centre for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases Control Research (KEMRI-CIPDCR). He holds a BSc in Medical Biotechnology from Maseno University.  He has undergone one year training on genomics laboratory technical skills and basic data analysis at Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT) in Australia.

Leonard Kiche joined ILRI as Research Assistant – System and Database Admin under the Integrated Genotyping Service and Support (IGSS) at the BecA-ILRI hub.He will work in collaboration with the Diversity Arrays Technology  (DArT Pty Ltd, Canberra, Australia)     (www.diversityarrays.com) and IT team to establish and maintain the IT infrastructure of the IGSS platform under the co-management of the BecA-ILRI hub and DArT. Prior to joining ILRI, he worked at Paradise Safari Park Hotel Nairobi as  ICT Administrator and Technical User Support and at North Pole Center for Information Technology as an ICDL and Computer Programming Instructor. He holds a BSc in Computer Science, from Chuka University and  has undergone one-year intensive training in DArTseq GBS Technology at DArT.