Nationally recruited staff (NRS) — Kenya

Mwihaki Mundia joined the Biosciences Eastern and Central Africa – International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub in August 2018 as communication officer. Mwihaki has five years’ experience in communications; she has expertise in public relations, advocacy, social media management and strategic planning. She is passionate about the environment, poetry and experiencing different cultures. She was formerly a communications and community relations officer at the Creatives Garage in Nairobi, and before that, served as communications officer at the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF).She has a bachelor’s degree in communication, from Daystar University; and a certificate in digital marketing from the Advertising Academy, powered by Google.

Nicholas Bor joined ILRI as research assistant for the ZooLinK suite of projects under the Animal and Human Health Program effective August 2018. He will be based in Busia, Western Kenya. Bor brings on board three years’ experience in veterinary practice, research and public engagement. He has an interest inOne Health, epidemiology and animal production. He is a veterinary surgeon trained at the University of Nairobi and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in One Health at the University of Edinburgh, UK

Celestine Omolo joined the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) as procurement officer in September 2018. She has six years of experience in procurement and supply chain management. Prior to this appointment, she worked for Sameer Africa Limited (YANA Tyres) and Metro Logistics Limited. Celestine holds a B.com (procurement and supply chain management) degree from the University of Nairobi; is a certified procurement and supplies practitioner (CIPS-UK) and is currently pursuing an MSc in project management at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).

Seth Akira joined ILRI in September 2018 as accountant. He holds a B. Com (accounting) degree from Kenyatta University. He is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Kenya and an International Register of Certificated Auditors (IRCA)-certified QMS lead auditor (ISO 9001:2015). He has over six years’ experience accounting. Previously, he worked for the Bollore Group as a payroll accountant, handling payroll matters for Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya and Madagascar.

Robert Mutai  joined ILRI’s Large Animal Unit as animal technician  in September 2018. He holds a Diploma in Animal Health from Egerton University, Certificates in Range Management and  Artificial Insemination  from AHITI, Kabete, College of Veterinary Services. He was previously  working with Technology Farm, Nakuru and also  worked with a farm in Njuca, Thika.

Karen Rutto joined the ILRI’s Finance Department as accountant attached to the General Accounting Unit effective October 2018.  She was previously with Islamic Relief Kenya as senior finance officer where she worked for close to six years. Prior to that, she served as auditor with Horwath Erastus & Co. CPA. Rutto has wide accounting experience in the non-profit sector and auditing, budgeting, financial reporting and internal controls. She will play a key role in budgeting, recharges and asset management. Rutto has an MBA (finance) from Jomo Kenyatta University B. Com (finance) degree from Catholic University and is a CPA (K).

Christopher Kuria joined ILRI’s Finance Department accountant attached to the Support Services Unit effective October 2018. Prior to joining ILRI, he worked at KPMG East Africa as senior financial advisor. Earlier on, he served as a credit card operations assistant with theNIC Bank. He brings valuable experience in accounts payables/receivables management, payroll and internal controls. Kuria holds a B. Com degree from the University of Nairobi, and an information technology diploma from Middlesex University. He is also a CPA (K).

Bakhet Hassan joined ILRI in October 2018 as animal technician in the Animal Unit where she is responsible for providing support in the unit and assisting researchers during experiments as defined in protocols. Previously, she worked as an instructor at Bukura Agricultural College. Prior to this appointment, she was an intern at the ILRI Farm supporting the African Swine fever, East Coast fever and mycoplasm research experiments. She has also worked with the Bayesian Consulting Group as field officer in conducting household survey. She is a diploma-holder in animal health from Egerton University.

George Wanjuki has been appointed as ILRI’s ICT customer service officer effective November 2018. He was previously ICT customer service technician at ILRI from April 2015. In this new role, he will be providing on-going support on client technology, respond to Level 2 support, develop procedures and controls for service improvements, coordinate the resolution of escalated application, hardware and software problems. He holds a BSc in computer science from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). George has more than 6 years’ experience in ICT customer service and will be based in ICRAF HQ Offices.

Priscilla Kinyanjui has been appointed as technician – environmental, occupational health and safety effective November 2018. Previously, she served as ILRI’s Environment Occupation Health and Safety (EOHS) technical assistant from January 2018 to date and was previously a student on research at Nature Kenya, Coast region office in Gede in June 2016 to March 2017 and (ILRI), Environment occupational Health & Safety (EOHS) office October 2014 to April 2015. She holds a BSc degree (Environmental studies) from Kenyatta University and has enrolled for her MSc in Environmental studies.

Nationally recruited staff (NRS) — Ethiopia

Wondimeneh Esatu has been appointed as research officer – animal genetics/breeding in Livestock Genetics Program effective  August 2018.  He holds PhD in animal breeding from Wageningen University of Research, the Netherlands, MSc degree in Animal Physiology from Addis Ababa University and international diploma in poultry and animal feeds from the Netherlands. Before joining ILRI, he was working as national poultry research program leader.

Sandros Bekele has been appointed as assistant to project manager in Impact at Scale Program effective  August 2018.  She holds a MSc degree in Project planning and Management from Yom Institute of Economic Development Joint Masters of Science Program with Debre Markos University and BA degree in accounting from Unity University.  Before joining ILRI, she was working as administrative assistant in IFPRI Ethiopia. Before joining ILRI, she was working as administrative assistant in IFPRI Ethiopia.

Ermiyas Sebsibe has been appointed as program accountant in Impact at Scale Program effective August 2018.  He holds BA degree in Accounting from Hawassa University. Before joining ILRI, he was working as senior accountant at Health, Development and Anti-Malaria Association, Ethiopia.

Mulugeta Yitayih has been appointed as research officer-socio-economics in Livestock Genetics Program effective  August 2018.  He holds a MSc degree in Research Methods from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya, BA degree in Economics from Haramaya University, Ethiopia and diploma in agriculture from Ambo college.  Before joining ILRI, he was working as research officer in ICARDA Ethiopia.

Alemayehu Ademe has been appointed as facilities and projects manager in Engineering and Facilities Management unit effective September 2018.   He is Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) from Project Management Institute (PMI), USA, postgraduate diploma in land management and informal settlement regularization, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, BSc degree in civil engineering from Addis Ababa University, professional certificate in project management from Addis Ababa University  and certified in PRINCE2 project management method (foundation level) from APM Group, UK.  Before joining ILRI, he was working as general manager & co-founder at MAWO Engineering and Trade PLC.

Bisrat Tesfaye has been appointed as Procurement Officer in Supply Chain unit effective September 2018.  He holds BA degree in Management from Arbaminch University, Ethiopia in 2018. Before joining ILRI, he was working as Senior Procurement Officer since September 2015 at Mercy Corps (USA).

Selome Alemu has been appointed as Helpdesk Administrator in Engineering and Facilities Management unit effective October 2018.  She holds BSc degree in Electrical Engineering from Addis Ababa University in 2015 and BA degree in Business Administration from Addis Ababa University in 2013. Before joining ILRI, she was working as Marketing Data Coordinator since October 2017 at Tecno Mobile Ethiopia.

Cherinet Desalegn has been appointed as Program Accountant in Sustainable Livestock Systems Program effective  October 2018.  He holds MSc degree in Accounting and finance from Hawassa University in 2014, BA degree in Accounting from Jimma University in 2008 and currently he is ACCA student since 2016. Before joining ILRI, he was working as Finance Officer at Catholic Relief Service Ethiopia Program.

Seble Samuel has been appointed as communications and knowledge management specialist in Sustainable Livestock Systems Program, Climate Change Agriculture and Food Security East Africa (CCAFS EA) effective December 2018.  She holds a MSc degree in environmental change & management from University of Oxford and BA degree in geography and anthropology from MCGILL University. Before joining ILRI, she was working as communications consultant at Deutsche Gesellschaft Fur International Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Abebaw Abebe has been appointed as national liaison and protocol officer in National Liaison and Protocol unit effective December 2018.  He holds L.L.B degree in law and governance studies, MA degree in marketing management and BA degree in business management from Addis Ababa University.  Before joining ILRI, he was working as manager, risk management and compliance at Life and General Insurance S.C., Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Dr. Getachew Legese has been appointed as TAAT National Technology Transfer Officer in TAAT Project effective 19 December 2018. He has several years of experience in research, academia and development works. He received PhD from University of Bonn, Germany in 2018. His doctoral research focused on agricultural and rural development policy analysis. He has worked as a value chain consultant for the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA) (2011-2014). Among his many industry experiences are; marketing expert and value chain economist for the Ethiopia Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards and Livestock and Meat Marketing Program (SPS-LMM), associate researcher at the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (1998-2008), coordinator of national Natural Resources and Production Economics research project (2003-2008) and head of socio-economics research Division at Kulumsa Research Center (2003-2008). Getachew has also served as an agricultural development planner for Bureau of Planning and Economic Development of Oromia Regional State (1998-1999). His experiences will be very invaluable to the TAAT livestock technologies scaling program and the entire CRP program at ILRI. Please join me in welcoming Dr. Getachew.

Lidet Wodajo has been appointed as accountant – general accounting in Finance unit effective December 2018.  She holds BA degree in accounting and auditing from Hawassa University Before joining ILRI, she was working as senior finance officer at Doctors with Africa Caumm, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Yonas Sime has been appointed as genebank database management specialist in Feed and Forage Development Program effective December 2018.  He holds a MSc degree in computer science from Addis Ababa University   and BSc degree in computer science from HiLCoE school of computer science. Prior to joining ILRI, he was working as database and information systems specialist at Livestock Identification and Traceability (ETLITS), Addis Ababa.

Nationally recruited staff (NRS) — India

 

Khushbu Noor joined ILRI’s Finance department of Regional Office, South Asia, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) as an accounts assistant in August 2018.

She holds a BCOM degree from Delhi University and is a Chartered Accountancy (Inter) from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and is currently pursuing her finals to be a Chartered Accountant (India).  Prior to joining ILRI, she was working with Sharp and Tannan, Chartered Accountants, a prominent certified public accountancy firm based in New Delhi, India. She has three years of experience in the field of Auditing & Assurance, Taxation and Financial Reporting in the banking, service and manufacturing industry.

She brings in wealth of expertise in Indian Taxation, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Auditing Concepts.

 

 

Internationally recruited staff (IRS)

Lei Sun was appointed health scientist for Germplasm Health Unit (GHU) at the ILRI Genebank starting August 2018. She gained her PhD in plant pathology at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) in 2009. She worked as an assistant professor in biological control of plant pathogens at the CAAS Institute of Plant Protection for four years before joining ILRI’s Genebank as a visiting scientist in 2014. Then she worked at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC) and at the Centre for Translational Microbiome Research (CTMR) at Karolinska Institute in Sweden for three years as a scientific researcher focusing on elucidating virulence mechanisms of bacteria biofilm and human diarrheal pathogens, and bacteria anaerobic culture before returning to ILRI, to work as a consultant in the Genebank in 2017.

Mireille Ferrari joined ILRI’s CGIAR Research Program on Livestock as communications manager effective August 2018.  She will be working closely with the Communications and Knowledge Management (CKM) Unit and communication specialists embedded in the programs. Ferrari has been a communications specialist since 2002, writing, creating strategies and developing communications products for clients and audiences across the globe. She completed her bachelor’s degree at the University of Durham in the UK and went on to study multimedia at the Rhode Island School of Design in the US. Prior to joining ILRI, she was with the World Food Programme Somalia Country Office. Ferrari has worked on project and corporate communications with the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) in Indonesia and with the Asian Development Bank in the Philippines. Formerly, she was communications director at Sayara Strategies in Afghanistan, where she led public information campaigns for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), UN agencies, non-governmental organizations and government ministries. She is a co-founder and brand creator of the Women’s WorldWide Web, an online crowdfunding platform for projects that support disadvantaged women and girls. Ferrari is Swiss.

Renee Bullock joined ILRI in August 2018 as a gender scientist in the SLS program. Renee’s work focuses on understanding social relations and dynamics in climate-smart livestock systems and processes of commercialization. Renee uses qualitative, quantitative and intersectional approaches to conduct intra-household, community and value chain analyses.  Before joining ILRI she worked at IITA and was based in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo. She conducted gender analyses of agricultural innovations that included pest and disease management practices and evaluated the role of youth groups to support young women and men’s agency and entrepreneurship. She also implemented a project to enhance rural women and men’s microfinance capacities and capabilities.  Renee completed her PhD in Geography at the University of Florida.

Svenja Marquardt joined ILRI’s team of Mazingira Centre in September 2018 as animal nutrition scientist. She is responsible for agronomic, livestock productivity and greenhouse gasses measurements for different livestock systems. Previously she worked as senior assistant in the professorship of Animal Nutrition at ETH Zurich, Switzerland. She has led research projects in Kenya, Bolivia, Brazil, Syria, Nepal and Switzerland. She holds a PhD in animal nutrition from ETH Zurich and postgraduate certificates in development and cooperation and international policy and advocacy. Marquardt is originally from Germany but has now  been living in Switzerland, so she now holds both citizenships; German and Swiss.

Chinyere Ekine joined ILRI’s Livestock Genetics Research Program in Animal Biosciences as statistical geneticist in October 2018. He will support research in livestock genetic improvement and development of genomic tools that can deliver substantial improvements to poor farmers in low-input environments.  Prior to joining ILRI, she was a postdoctoral fellow at Livestock Gentec, University of Alberta, Canada, where she worked in projects that demonstrated the use of genomic technologies in improving traits of economic importance in beef cattle. She has developed strong capabilities in quantitative data analysis, with experience in mixed model methodologies, genomic selection and general application of molecular information (genomic tools) in animal breeding. She is passionate about the use of improved animal genetics and breeding strategies to aid sustainable development and reduce poverty and hunger in developing countries. Ekine is a Canadian citizen, originally from Nigeria.

Hanneke Hemmink was appointed as postdoctoral scientist-immunologist in the Animal Health program effective December 2018 after 2 years as a joint appointee between ILRI and the Roslin Institute.  She will be working towards the development of a subunit vaccine against African Swine Fever. Hanneke graduated as a doctor of  Veterinary medicine (DVM) from the Universiteit Utrecht and holds an MSc in Veterinary immunology and a PhD in Infection and immunology from the university of Edinburgh. She has worked in clinical veterinary practice and has 5 years of post doc experience working at the Roslin Institute, the Pirbright institute and ILRI. Her main interests are infection and immunology related to veterinary diseases’.