info@chuka.ac.ke
020 231 0512/ 020 231 0518
Associate Professor of Ecology
Email: egithae@chuka.ac.ke
Faculty of Science and Technology
Department of Biological Sciences
FIELD OF SPECIALIZATION
Associate Professor of Ecology
WORK EXPERIENCE
2021 to date: Associate Professor of Ecology, Department of Biological Sciences, Chuka University, Kenya
2014 – 2021: Senior Lecturer in Botany, Department of Biological Sciences, Chuka University, Kenya
2009 – 2014: Lecturer in Botany, School of Natural Resource Management, Maasai Mara University
2002 – 2008: Research Assistant, Biotechnology Laboratories, Kenya Forestry Research Institute
2004 – 2007: Graduate student, Development and implementation of a sustainable resource management plan for Marsabit forest and its associated watershed Agricultural Research Foundation, Kenya
LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT ROLES
2023 – 2024 (Various dates): Acting Vice Chancellor, Chuka University. Performing duties of the Vice Chancellor.
June 2023 to February 2025: Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration, Finance, Planning and Development, Chuka University, Kenya.
September 2017 to December 2024: Chairperson, Department of Biological Sciences, Chuka University, Kenya.
Various dates (2016-2017): Acting Director, Directorate of Research and Extension, Chuka University. Performing duties of the Director.
2015 – 2019: Secretary, Board of Research and Extension, Chuka University, Kenya
2013 – 2014: Chairperson, Department of Environmental studies and Forestry, Maasai Mara University, Kenya.
2013 – 2014: Acting Examination Officer, Department of Environmental Studies and Forestry, Maasai Mara University, Kenya
CONSULTANCIES/b>
June, 2025: Reviewer and Panelist.
Food Systems Resilience Project. Supported by the Government of Kenya and World Bank.
January 10 – December 31, 2019: Lead consultant/Mentor.
Nurturing a network of policy analysis for enhanced agricultural development and food and nutrition security in Kenya. Supported by International Livestock Research Institute, AgriFose2030, Regional Strategic Analysis and Knowledge Support System and the Swedish International Development Agency.
February 20 – October 31, 2018: Lead consultant/Mentee.
Multifunctional landscapes in agriculture. Supported by International Livestock Research Institute, AgriFose2030, Regional Strategic Analysis and Knowledge Support System and the Swedish International Development Agency.
EDUCATION
2015 – 2017: Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management, Open University, England.
2008 – 2011: Ph.D. Dryland Resource Management (Ecology and Environment), Department of Land Resource Management & Agricultural Technology, University of Nairobi, Kenya.
2003 – 2007: M.Sc. Plant Taxonomy and Economic Botany, School of Biological Sciences, University of Nairobi, Kenya.
1998 – 2002: B.Sc. Botany and Zoology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Nairobi.
1993 – 1996: Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education, Mahiga Girls Secondary School, Othaya, Kenya.
1984 – 1992: Kenya Certificate of Primary Education, Kiangengi Primary School, Kenya.
OTHER PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
2025: Certificate in Project Management, Kenya Institute of Social Work and Community Development, Nairobi, Kenya.
2024: Diploma in Strategic Management, Department of Management Studies, Indiana Institute of Science, Bangalore, India.
2002: Certificate in Computer Applications, Vickitech Computer Systems, Nairobi, Kenya.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND EXTENSION SERVICES
1. February 2025- to date: Advisory Board, Africa Research and Impact Network (ARIN). Fostering connection and peer-learning amongst researchers, policymakers, and practitioners who work in different fields and states.
2.. 2023 to date: The Focal Point Person in the Agroecology Global Coalition of Chuka University in the Working Group of Research, Innovation & Education.
3. 2023 to date: External Examiner, Department of Biological Sciences, Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST), Meru, Kenya
4. 2023 to date: Mentor, Commonwealth Scholarships (CSC) Mentoring Programme, connects Commonwealth Scholars and Alumni to support knowledge and skills development and a practical understanding of how these can be implemented post-scholarship to achieve development impact.
5. 2021 to date: Member of Parish Church Council, Mothers Union and the Secretary of training and extension committee at the ACK Good Shepherd Church, Chuka.
6. 2024: Reviewer, Bachelor of Science (with education) curriculum. Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST), Meru, Kenya.
7. 2023: Mentor, British Ecological Society (BES) Mentoring Programme, support peers and enhance their career potential.
8. 2023: Facilitator, Mental health. Mother’s Union talent week, Anglican Church of Kenya
9. 2023: Team member, 4th Eastern Region open – career, research, innovation and entrepreneurship week (ERO-CRIEW), Chuka University main campus
10. 2021: Team member, Diagnosis and management of pests and diseases in green grams in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya.
11.Various dates: Volunteer and mentor on career growth, gender empowerment and environmental conservation.
12. 2018- 2020: Secretary and volunteer, Ray of Hope Kenya (ROHK), ACK St. Joseph’s Kabete, All Saints Cathedral, Nairobi, Kenya
13. 2017: Editor, Proceedings of Chuka University 3rd International Research Conference under the theme “Harnessing Research, Innovation and Technology to Realise the Sustainable Development Goals” held in Chuka University, Kenya from 26th to 28th October, 2016, Under publication
14. 2016: Editor, Proceedings of Chuka University 2nd International Research Conference under the theme “Mainstreaming Research Commercialization for Sustainable Development” held in Chuka University, Kenya from 28th to 30th October 2015. 575 pp.
15. 2014: Exhibitor, Maasai Mara University Open Day, University Grounds, Narok, Kenya
2010-2014: Secretary, Aids Control Sub-Unit, Maasai Mara University
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
1. 2025- date: Member, Africa Research and Impact Network (ARIN).
2. 2021- date: Member, Family Farming and Agroecology Community of Practice.
3. 2021- date: Member, Global Landscapes Forum (GLF).
4. 2017- date: Member, British Ecological Society (BES).
2017- date: Member, Ecological Society of Eastern Africa (ESEA).
Department of Biological Sciences, Chuka University, Kenya
Department of Environmental Studies & Forestry, Maasai Mara University, Kenya
School of Natural Resource Management, Maasai Mara University
RESEARCH GRANTS/ AWARDS/SCHOLARSHIPS
1. Visiting Scholarship, Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study, South Africa. Project ‘Assessment of social-economic impacts of invasive cactus (Opuntia engelmannii) to rural livelihoods and their environment in drylands of Kenya’ with researchers at Stellenbosch University Centre for Invasion Biology
2. Impacts of invasive Opuntia species in the rangelands of Kenya funded by Chuka University
3. Future Agricultures Consortium Climate Smart Agriculture in Kenya post-Masters Research, Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, UK
4. Women in Science Award (5th position), Agricultural innovations for sustainable development Women in Science Competitions by CTA/ FARA at Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
5. 2nd Best Poster Presentation Award in the 2nd RUFORUM Biennial Meeting under the theme ‘Building capacity for food security in Africa’ Entebbe, Uganda
6. Abdou- Salam Quëdraogo Fellowship, Bioversity International. Genetic diversity of gum arabicproducing Acacia senegal varieties in Kenya using Inter-Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) and Chloroplast Simple Sequence Repeat (cpSSR) markers
7. PhD Fellowship granted by RUFORUM
8. MSc Scholarship granted by the University of Nairobi
PUBLICATIONS
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POLICY BRIEF
1. Githae E.W (2018). Prickly pear cactus invasion: A major threat to biodiversity and food security in the
drylands of Kenya. Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Irrigation, Kenya.
POSTGRADUATE SUPERVISION
PHD
1. Characterization of ochratoxigenic fungi in dry coffee Cherry, effect of post-harvest handling practices and factors affecting its prevalence in Tharaka Nithi County
2.Prevalence of root knot nematodes in sweet potato farms and biological control using plant extracts, Chuka University
3. Effects of agricultural nutrients influx on water quality, phytoplankton diversity and fish biomass in Thiba River Basin, Kenya Chuka University
4. Phytoplankton diversity and their control using Moringa species in the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) Fish Ponds in Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya, Chuka University
5. Environmental factors that influence regeneration and phenology of Ocotea Usambarensis Engl. establishment on the southern slopes of Mt. Kenya Chuka University
6. Efficacy, safety and conservation status of anti-malarial and mosquito repellent plants used in Embu County, Kenya Gulu University, Uganda
7. Application of Biotechnology and Integration of Information Systems to Improve Stress Tolerance of Pumpkin (Cucurbita Spp) in the Drylands of Kenya (Ongoing)
8. Maginyo Purity Kathambi. Assessing the Host Range of Globodera rostochiensis, their Impact on Population Density of Nematodes and use of Nematophagous Fungi as a Potential Biocontrol Agent (Ongoing)
Msc
1. Screening of nematodes cysts and eggs of nematophagous fungi for use as biocontrol agent against potato cyst Chuka University
2. Prevalence and characterization of fungal avocado fruit diseases and their control using Aloe secundiflora crude Extracts Chuka University
3. Phytochemical analysis of Tamarindus indica L. extracts and assessment of their antimicrobial activity against plant pathogens in Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya Chuka University
4. Prevalence of tomato early blight in Tharaka-Nithi County and control using endophytic microbes isolated from Azadirachta indica Chuka University
5. Characterization of road-side tree nursery diseases and the influence of environmental factors on their spread along agro-ecological zones, Chuka University
6. Characterization of Green Gram Fungal Diseases and the effect of edaphic factors on their occurrence in Tharaka Nithi and Kitui Counties, Kenya, Chuka University
7. Prevalence, characterization and susceptibility of antibiotics on positive TB isolate for Mycobacterium species at Meru Level Five hospital in Meru County, Kenya Chuka University
8. Phytochemical analysis of crude extracts of Tithonia diversifolia and Kigelia africana and their antimicrobial effects against Fusarium oxysporum in Tomatoes, Chuka University
9. Characterization of municipal solid waste stream and its effects on the environment in Narok Town and its environs, Kenya Maasai Mara University
10. Influence of physico-chemical properties and microbial diversity of water sources to environment and health in Narok County, Kenya Maasai Mara University
11. Prevalence of potato postharvest soft rot in Stores and Use of Botanicals in Management of Pectobacterium Carotovora in Meru County, Kenya, Chuka University
12. Physicochemical properties and microbial contamination of borehole water and treatment using cactus, maize and sunflower in Meru County, Kenya Chuka University (Ongoing)
13. Purity Kathure Njagi (SM24/58083/22). Ethnobotanical study of selected medicinal plants in Meru County, Kenya, and their efficacy against antibiotic-resistant bacteria