Professor Richard Kiprono Mibey (born 12 December 1951) is a Kenyan academic, research scientist and university administrator. Mibey served as the Vice-Chancellor of Moi University, the second university to be established in Kenya between 2006 and 2016. He is a Professor of Mycology with over 35 years teaching and scholarly experience. He has extensive knowledge and experience in the higher education system having grown from a graduate assistant, research assistant, lecturer, senior lecturer, associate professor, professor, department chairman, dean, campus principal as well as deputy vice-chancellor.
He attended Sugumerga Primary School and Kericho High School for his early education, before proceeding to Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa, N.C., U.S.A., where he obtained a B.A. in Biology. From there, he went to Appalachian State University; Boone, N.C. for M.Sc. in Biology; and to Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, for an M.Sc. in Plant Pathology and D.Ed. in Agricultural Education and Extension, specializing in Plant Pathology. He also obtained a PhD. in Mycology of the University of Nairobi.
From 1986 - 1989, he was a Lecturer in the Department of Botany, University of Nairobi; 1989 - 1996, he was Senior Lecturer in the same Department, before he was promoted to the positions of Associate Professor (1997 - 2001), Professor 2002 and currently Professor Emeritus.
He has a wealth of Administrative experience. From 1998 - 2000, he was Chairman, Department of Botany, University of Nairobi; 2002 - February, 2004, Principal, Chiromo Campus, University of Nairobi; February 2004 - September 2006, he was the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration and Finance, Maseno University; and in September 2006 he was appointed Vice Chancellor, Moi University.
In terms of scholarship, Professor Mibey is a recognized world authority on fungal systematic. He is also a world authority on Fungal Taxonomy and Biodiversity Conservation. In that capacity, he has discovered more than 120 species of fungi. He has received several fellowships: DAAD Senior research Fellow; Darwin Fellow in April 1994 - April 1995, UNESCO Fellowship. He is a member of several professionals' organizations and societies. Member, British Mycological Society (BMS); Member, Committee on biodiversity and Conservation; Member, International Association for Plant Taxonomy; and Fellow, World Innovation Foundation.
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