Student Short Biography:
Millicent is a Master’s graduate in Medical and Veterinary Entomology from the University of Nairobi. Her research, which is grounded in malaria research, focuses on the ecology and biology of malaria vectors. Her thesis informs how different physicochemical factors affect the presence and abundance of malaria vectors in Western Kenya.
Before starting her MSc, she worked as a volunteer graduate assistant in marginalized communities in coastal parts of Kenya. Apart from supporting and strengthening education outcomes in the community, she actively participated in community sensitization programs addressing hunger and food insecurities. By volunteering in an area other than her home county, she gained invaluable exposure to diverse environments, experiences, and communities. This experience provided her with positive inter-ethnic interaction, thus a global mind-set. It also ignited a powerful interest in research, and it is during this period that she enrolled for masters.
She believes that only research can act as a critical tool to navigate this complex world. This belief, coupled with substantial community interests, is what keeps her on toes. Having worked in marginalized places and seeing people suffer due to lack of fundamental needs and still bear the burden of diseases like malaria and other vector-borne diseases fuels her. She believes that every community needs to be happy and healthy, which she says can only be contributed through research and collaboration. When she is not busy studying or editing a research paper, Millicent enjoys taking walks, listening to music, and dancing.
Project Summary
Thesis / Project Title: Anopheles productivity of aquatic habitats created through artisanal capture fishing on Mageta Island in Western Kenya
Thesis / Project Abstract
The effect of physicochemical characteristics of mosquito larval habitats on Anopheles productivity is not well known. To fill this knowledge gap, a cross-sectional survey was carried out on Mageta Island, western Kenya. Habitats were classified either as those created by or associated with artisanal capture fishing (ACF) activities on the Island or non-ACF. Physicochemical parameters and Anopheles mosquito larval density were recorded for each habitat type. The degree of association between Anopheles larvae/pupae and the physicochemical factors was tested using generalized linear models. High numbers of Anopheles larvae and pupae were found in habitats associated with ACF activities. Habitats with wooden bottom surfaces had more larvae than those with mud and rock bottom surfaces. Perimeter, TSS, temperature and conductivity influenced larval abundance significantly. Other factors interacted resulting in significant associations with Anopheles larval abundance. These were TDS with conductivity, TSS with DO and TSS with temperature. Even though individual physicochemical characteristics could be linked to density of Anopheles larvae and productivity of mosquito habitats, the results indicate that certain variables interact to regulate mosquito abundance. Malaria control measures tailored towards manipulating physicochemical characteristics in mosquito breeding sites should be adopted in integrated mosquito control programmes.