Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you born and where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in听rural听Kenya. I attended boarding school, thus learning to be responsible and independent at an early age.听
What inspired you about science and your specific area of research?听
My passion is in biotechnology and health,听largely inspired by memories of my grandfather who used听to extract plant-based therapies听to treat sheep suspected of having sustained snake bites.
Where did you obtain your earlier degrees?
I听hold听a听B.Sc. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology听(2011)听and听an听MSc in Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics听(2014),听both听from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in Kenya.听
Who is your key听influence?
I am inspired by Dr. Florence Wambugu, a听Kenyan听scientist renowned for her research and development initiatives on the tissue-culture banana as a way of enhancing food security听in Africa.
What is your research focus?
My research听aims to synthesize compounds in the African cabbage听(known scientifically as听Cleome gynandra)that have value for human and animal health.听
Although widely used as听a vegetable and a medicinal plant,听C.听gynandra听is one of Africa鈥檚听orphan crops 鈥斕齨eglected or overlooked plants听that听are often听more听nutritious and听better听suited to听local听agricultural systemsthan exotic varieties.
My studies are supported by the听Regional Scholarship听and Innovation Fund (RSIF). I am听registered at听Sokoine University听of Agriculture, Tanzania, and I am currently in a sandwich programme at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea.
What progress听have you made so far?
I have conducted and published a systematic review that updates knowledge听on glucosinolates, sulfur-containing compounds found in cruciferous vegetables听like the African cabbage,听broccoli, brussels sprouts听and kale.听
These compounds听play an important role in human and animal health (disease therapy and prevention), plant health (defence chemicals, biofumigants and biocides) and food industries (preservatives).听
The听study听also presents factors that affect the natural occurrence and biological availability of the compounds, supporting increased harnessing of their therapeutic values.
What is the contribution of your research听to the Sustainable Development Goals听(SDGs)?
Broadly speaking, my research is aligned to SDG 2: Zero Hunger. Central to this goal is the understanding thata profound change of the global food and agriculture system is needed if we are to nourish the more than 690 million people globally who are听currently听hungry.听
Because of their high听nutritional听value, African orphan crops are a vital way of addressing听malnutrition, especially hidden hunger, in Africa.听
My research will contribute much-needed scientific knowledge, as well as awareness towards unlocking the full potential of these African orphan crops.
How does your academic journey contribute听to tackling the COVID-19听pandemic?
Alongside听two other female RSIF PhD scholars, I was interviewed for an article discussing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our personal lives and research journeys.听
We believe that the candid presentation of the challenges we have faced, lessons learnt and our sources of resilience听will help to mitigate the adverse impact of the pandemic on other scholars and researchers.
