A determined medical entomologist with great passion for research geared towards providing solution to vector-borne diseases facing mankind. I obtained my Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Nairobi (1st class honors) in 2017. I immediately enrolled for my Master of Science degree in Medical and Veterinary Entomology in the same university under the UON scholarship award. Thereafter, I joined the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) through the dissertation research and internship programme (DRIP) to undertake my research project. In my research, l was determining the “Effect of Pithecellobium dulce extract on vector competence of Aedes aegypti to chikungunya virus”. Findings of my research demonstrated that this plant modulates chikungunya virus infection success in Ae. aegypti thus, opening a novel avenue in the development of antiviral strategies targeting vector plant feeding behavior.

My aspiration is to have a progressive personal and career growth in the field of entomology, through application of several multidisciplinary approaches such as cell culture, molecular biology and chemical ecology. This will ultimately contribute to the identification of research gaps in vector-pathogen-host interaction and development of effective control tools.

My sincere appreciation goes to my mentors and supervisors Dr. Eunice Owino, Dr. George Ongamo (UON), Dr. David Tchouassi, Prof. Rosemary Sang and Prof. Baldwyn Torto (ICIPE) for the tremendous intellectual, technical and moral support.