info@chuka.ac.ke
020 231 0512/ 020 231 0518
Dean Faculty of Science & Technology
Email: pkkamweru@chuka.ac.ke
Faculty of Science and Technology
Department of Physical Sciences
FIELD OF SPECIALIZATION
Material Scientist
WORK EXPERIENCE
1. Dean FAST. From October 2023 to date.
2. Elected Members’ Trustee for the Egerton University Pension Scheme, since 24th April 2021.
3. Dean (Ag), Faculty of Science Engineering and Technology, Chuka University. Various dates
4. Senate member, Chuka University.
5. Treasurer, Kenya DAAD Scholars Association, Mt. Kenya region Chapter. Since October 2016.
6. Member of the Board of Undergraduate studies, representing the University senate.
7. Member of the Board of Postgraduate studies as a Physics subject specialist.
OTHER EXPERIENCES AND COMMITTEES MEMBERSHIP
1. Served as a member of several Ad hoc Committees of the Senate.
2. Committee member, appointed by the vice-chancellor to write a policy on University’s Transport.
3. Committee member, appointed by the vice-chancellor to write a policy on University E-waste management
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
19th May 2021- to date (continuing)
Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
Environmental and Land Law
Higher Education/Chuka University
4th July 2021-10th July 2021
Certificate of Proficiency
Trustee Development Programme. Retirement benefits fundamentals, Law and Retirement Benefit Schemes, Trustees and Governance, Retirement Scheme investing and Funding, Contracts, Sourcing and Administration.
College of Insurance in Collaboration with Humber College, Canada,
01stJune 2015- 30th September 2015 and 15th September to 15th December 2021
Post-doc/Scientist/ Researcher
Research; Planning and executing Research
Leibniz Institute for Age research (Jena, Germany) and Universitätmedizin Göttingen (UMG).
Research (Microscopy)
April 2012- March 2015
Dr. rer. nat.
Biophysics, Spectroscopy, Micro- and Nanoscopy, Laser Scanning Microscopy, Molecular cell biology, Chromatin Architecture, Protein-Protein proximities.
“Cell cycle dependent architecture of CENP-A containing centromeric chromatin and its regulation”
Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany and Leibniz Institute of Age research (FLI) Jena Germany.
International.
August 2007-May 2010
MSc(Physics)
Solid State Physics, Statistical Physics, Electrodynamics, Quantum Physics, Mathematical Physics, Classical Mechanics, Optical Physics & Molecular Spectroscopy and Laser Physics.
MSc Thesis title, “Investigation of Effects of Humidity and Temperature on the Accelerated Photodegradation of Polyethylene Flimsies Using DMA”
Egerton University, , Kenya
Funded by a Scholarship from Egerton University Council, awarded to the best graduating students in undergraduates.
Higher Education rank.
August 2002- August 2007
B/ED (Sci). First class honours and an Award as the best graduating Student of the year.
Physics and Mathematics
Egerton University, Kenya
Higher Education rank
1997-2000
KCSE(Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education)
English, Kiswahili, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Accounting, History, Agriculture and C.R.E.
Gathiru-ini Secondary School.
Secondary Level
ACADEMIC AWARDS RECOGNITION AND SCHOLARSHIPS
TWAS-DFG for a research stay at UMG (Universitätmedzin Göttingen)
Sept 2021-Dec 2021
The World Academy of Sciences
DAAD for doctoral studies in Germany
April 2012-May 2015
DAAD
MSc. Scholarship (Awarded to best graduating students at Bachelor level)
August 2007-March 2010
Egerton University Council
Best Graduating student Award- Trophy and a Certificate
Egerton University Alumni Association
SOCIAL SKILLS AND COMPETENCES
First aid services certificate from St John’s Ambulance, Egerton University.
Business and Research Proposal writing certificates by Egerton and Chuka University, Microscopy and Image analysis using ImageJ.
TECHNICAL SKILLS, COMPUTER SKILLS AND OTHER COMPETENCES
Computer packages – Windows Operations, Ms Word, Ms Excel, Ms Access, Ms PowerPoint, Internet and E-mailing. Certificate from Egerton University ICT department.
SPSS (statistical package for the social sciences)-research process, questionnaire Design, fundamental statistics, data handling, data transfer and data analysis. Certificate by Egerton University, Computer Science department.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
1 Members’ Elected trustee for the Egerton University Pension Scheme.
2 Secretary of the steering committee of English (1st) Service at JKMC PCEA church
3 Member of the PCEA JKMC development committee
3 Vice secretary to the Strategic Planning committee JKMC PCEA church
4 JKMC PCEA church University and Secondary students mentor
5 Physicist Blogger; www.myphysicslink.com
December 2021-To Date
Associate Professor of Physics, Chuka University.
Coordinating Departmental programmes, Overseeing Course allocations in the department, Facilitation of Exams and External examining for quality assurance, Teaching and tutorials, Setting and marking exams, Postgraduate teaching and supervision, Research among others
Chuka University, P.O. Box 109-60400, Chuka
Higher Education
October 2017-To Date
Senior Lecturer, Physical Sciences Department, Chuka University.
Coordinating Departmental programmes, Overseeing Course allocations in the department, Facilitation of Exams and External examining for quality assurance, Teaching and tutorials, Setting and marking exams, Postgraduate teaching and supervision, Research among others
Chuka University, P.O. Box 109-60400, Chuka
Higher Education
2013-October 2017
Lecturer, Physical Sciences Department, Chuka University.
Chuka University, P.O. Box 109-60400, Chuka
Higher Education
01stJune 2015- 30th September 2015
Post-doc/Scientist/ Researcher
Research; Planning and executing Research
Leibniz Institute for Age research (Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena), Germany.
Research
November 2010- November 2013
Assistant Lecturer at Physical Sciences Department, Chuka University.
Coordinating Departmental programmes, Overseeing Course allocations in the department, Facilitation of Exams and External examining for quality assurance, Teaching and tutorials, Setting and marking exams, and Many others
Chuka University, P.O. Box 109-60400, Chuka
Higher Education
January 2010– 2012
Part-time Lecturer
Teaching and tutorials, Setting and marking exams and Many others
Egerton University, Physics Department, P.O. Box 536-20115, Egerton.
Higher Education.
External Examiner
1. Tharaka University. Since 2020
External and Internal Peer Reviewing
1. Member of the UKRI Peer Review College, for research proposal considered for Global Challenge Research Funds (GCRF) of the United Kingdom.
2. An External reviewer for Meru University of Science and Technology directorate of research since August 2017. Reviewed many research proposals.
3. A Peer Reviewer for the directorate of Research and publications of Chuka University since 2015. Reviewed many research proposals.
4. A Peer Reviewer for the Chuka University Journal on Environmental Sustainability Advancement Research. Reviewed several research articles.
KEY RESEARCH PROJECTS
Ongoing – Polyurethane degradation and Potential Impacts to environment elucidation Kinetochore and Centromeric Chromatin structure elucidation by Modern Spectroscopic Techniques Plastics Degradation: Acceleration of Polyethylene Photo- and Thermal degradation
Scientific Publications
Visit my google scholar
Research Interests
Biophysics – Microscopic Techniques
Solid waste Management, Plastics and Polymer, Based materials degradation and Impacts to Environment
Scientific Membership & activities
– Vice-President and Member of the Biophysical Society-Kenyan Chapter. Membership No. 96636
– Member of the Optical Society of America (OSA). Membership No. 10111368
– Physics Society of Kenya, Membership No. 037
– Kenya DAAD Scholars Association KDSA- Active member N0. A/12/91557
Research Grant applications
| Grant | Amount (KES, EUR USD) |
| 1.TWAS grant for scientific visit together with Prof. Diekmann and Prof. Fred Wouters | USD 11000 |
| 2.CIM/GIZ Returning Expert Grant | EUR 9600 |
| 3.IFS Research grant F/5372-1. In collaboration with Sospeter Njeru et al. | USD 12000 |
| 4.NRF Institutional facility grant of 2017 | KES 67, 000,000 |
| 5.DAAD grant to support KDSA Mt. Kenya Chapter conference held at Meru University of Science and technology in 2017 | KES 2,0000,000 |
| 6.DAAD grant to support Biophysics Society Conference at Bishop Stam Pastoral Center | KES 2,0000,000 |
| 7.DAAD funds to support a doctoral student together with Diekmann et al., 2014 | KES 4, 500, 000 |
| 8.Chuka University Internal research Fund; staff multi-disciplinary | KES 1, 000, 000 |
| 9.Chuka University Internal research Fund; together with Jane Gatwiri | KES 80,000 |
| Chuka University Internal research Fund; together with Ruth Ndung’u | KES 100,000 |
| Chuka University Internal research Fund; together with Alex Muasya | KES 150,000 |
| Chuka University Internal research Fund; together with Nixon Mutwiri | KES 150,000 |
| Chuka University Internal research Fund; together with Kairo Catherine | KES 200,000 |
| Chuka University Internal research Fund; together with Doreen Cheporir | KES 150,000 |
| Chuka University Internal research Fund; together with Jim Kimathi | KES 150,000 |
| Chuka University Internal research Fund; together with Elosy Gatakaa | KES 240,000 |
Post-Graduate Students Supervision
| Name | Level | Thesis Title | Status |
| Kairo Nkirote Catherine | PhD | Effect Of Cooperative Mastery Learning Approach On Students’ Motivation, Self-Concept Of Ability And Achievement In Physics In Secondary Schools In Kirinyaga County, Kenya | Completed |
| Gatakaa Elosy | PhD | Performance and Efficiency of Selected Organic Based Photovoltaic Modules in the Kenyan Market Compared to the Silicon based | Thesis writing stage |
| Mukere Moffat | PhD | Evanescent wave fiber optic sensor for waterborne analytes | Data Collection stage |
| Muasya A.N. | MSc. | Characterization Of Nixzn0.5-XMg0.5Fe2O4 Synthesized By Sol-Gel Method And Fabrication Of An Effective Sensor For LPG | Completed |
| Kirimi N. M.
|
MSc. | Sol-Gel Synthesis and Characterisation Of Copper Doped Nickel Titanate (CuXNi1-XTiO3) Nanoparticles For Degradation Of Organic Dyes | Completed |
| Ndung’u R.W. | MSc. | Changes In Extracellular Electric Potential In Spinach In Response To Changes In Dark/Light And Water Availability Conditions | Completed |
| Butembu S. | MSc. | Synthesis And Characterization Of Aluminum Doped Zn-Co Ferrites Nano-Particles | Completed |
| Gideon A. O. | MSc. | Synthesis And Characterization of Copper Doped Mg-Ni Ferrite Nanoparticles | Completed |
| Annarita Kajuju Mwenda | MSc | Health Seeking Behaviour and Lifestyle Modification Strategies of Hypertensive Patients In Imenti North Sub County | Completed |
| Mbatha E. | MSc. | Formulation Of The Schrodinger Equation Using The Hilbert Space Operator Approach | Completed |
| Gikunda Charity | MSc. | Patients and System Related Factors Associated With Non-Adherence to Antihypertension Medication among Patients at Chuka Referral Hospital, Kenya. | Completed |
| Jonathan K. M | MSc. | Mechanical Characterization of Rice Husk Ash – HDPE composite | Completed |
| Kaburi Mwiti | MSc. | Determinants of high incidence rate of mental disorders among youths in Chuka sub county | Completed |
| Mutava Gabriel M. | MSc. | First Principles Study On Effects Of Pressure And Niobium Doping On Structural And Electronic Properties Of Molybdenum Disulfide Monolayer | Completed |
| Mwanzia Boniface | MSc. | Ab Initio Study Of Structural And Piezoelectric Properties Of Hafnium Doped Bismuth Sodium Potassium Titanate | Completed |
| Ivans Mutwiri | MSc. | An Intergrated Geophysical Investigation And Elemental Geochemical Analysis For Iron Ore Deposits In Kimaachia Area, Meru County, Kenya | Completed |
| Chepkorir Doreen | MSc. | Thesis writing | |
| Kimathi Jim | MSc. | Thesis writing | |
| Malavi B. | MSc. | Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Red soil, Rice Husks Ash and Quarry Dust Geopolymer | Thesis writing |
| Kipng’etich R. K.
|
MSc. | Investigation Of Oil-Based Pollutants In Lake Nakuru Waters Using Integrating Sphere Spectrophotometry And Infrared Spectroscopy | Data collection |
| Ireri J. G. | MSc. | Changes of Spider Silk Mechanical Properties due to spin ambient conditions and degradation | Thesis Writting |
| Musembi L Kalondu | MSc. | Effects of Silver Coating on the Structure and Antimicrobial Activity of CoxMg1-XFe2O4 Ferrite Nanoparticles Synthesized by Sol-Gel Method | Data collection |
| Muthomi Morris | MSc. | Evanescent Wave Sensor Based On Fibre Optic For Real Time Monitoring Of Nitrogen Dioxide | Data collection |
Post-Graduate Examination
| Name | Year | Level | Thesis Title |
| 1. Fidelis Ngugi | 2020 | PhD | Adsorption of Lead and Rhodamine B from Water Using Mangroves (Rhizophora mucronata), Carbon nanotubes and Cobalt Ferrite Nanocomposites |
| 2. Ithigi David Kibaara | 2019 | PhD | Effects of Water Physiochemocal Properties on health and Phytoplankton Diversity and Biomass and Control of Cynobacteria using Moringa oleifera Lam Extract in the ESP Fish ponds |
| 3. Elias Eric Mwenda | 2017 | PhD | Factors Influencing Teachers’ Resistance to Performance Contracting: A Case of Embu East District- Kenya |
| 4. Mbaka Kimanthi Peter | 2017 | PhD | Influence of ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System on the Quality of Services Offered in Public Universities in Kenya |
| 5. Mwobobia Kagworia Susan | 2017 | PhD | Effects of HIV/AIDS on Psychosocial Wellbeing and Coping Mechanisms of Visually Impaired Learners: a case of St. Lucy’s School in Imenti South Sub-county. |
| 6. Okong’o Mark | 2016 | PhD | Modelling HIV/AIDS co-infection with malaria and tuberculosis in the presence of treatment and counselling. |
| 7. Mwedwa Nancy Mutwiri | 2019 | MSc | Modelling of the effects of Mindfulness Based on Stress on Breast Cancer Survival Rate among Women in Meru and Nyeri County, using COX Proportional Hazard model. |
| 8. Fredrick Ogolla | 2019 | MSc | Morphological characterization of Exserohilum turcicum (Pass.) Leo. & Suggs. causing Sorghum Leaf Blight and the Effct of temperature and media on its Pathogenicity in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. |
| 9. Florence Munoru | 2019 | MSc | Evaluation of Factors Affecting Utilization of the Cervical Cancer Screening among Women of Child Bearing Age in Isiolo County |
| 10. Consolata, Kirigia | 2019 | MSc | Assessment Of Hindrances And Facilitators To Immediate Post-Partum Intrauterine Contraceptive Device Uptake Among Mothers Delivering In Meru Hospital |
| 11. Ochwach Jimrise Onyango | 2018 | MSc | Modeling Nitrate Leaching Into Groundwater Using
Advection –Dispersion Equation |
| 12. Oundo, Monicah Buyasi | 2018 | PhD | Effectiveness of Psycho-Education Interventions in Combating Self-stigma among Family Caregivers of Persons with Psychological disorders in Tharaka Nithi Country |
| 13. Kawira Esther | 2018 | MSc | Norm of an Elementary Operator of Finite Length A C* Algebra |
| 14. Kariuki Richard | 2018 | MSc | Synthesis, Characterization and Application of Transition Metal-doped Manganese Oxide Catalyst on Degradation of Methylene Blue |
| 15. Muriruri Peter Guchu | 2018 | MSc | Norm of an Elementary Operator in a Tensor Product |
| 16. Gachoki, Peter Kinyua | 2018 | MSc | Modelling Flight delays at JKIA using Logit, Random Forest and Support Vector Machine Models. |
| 17. Mong’are, Dominic | 2018 | MSc | Comparative analysis on Prediction on Loan Defaults using Support Vector Machine and Logistic Regression Models. |
| 18. Mugoh, Casty Gatwiri | 2018 | MSc | Predicting the Effect of demographic Characteristics on Parity using Regression Models |
| 19. Scholastica Twili Nzomo | 2017 | MSc | Effect of Integrated Rural Tourism Planning on Communities Livelihood and Resources Vitality in Makueni County, Kenya |
| Listening | Reading | Spoken | Writing | |
| Swahili | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| English | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| German | B1 Level | B1 Level | B1 Level | B1 Level |