Research and Funding
Dr. Veronica Okello (PI) and Dr. Elizabeth Ndunda (Co-PI) win Internal Research Grant of KES 700,000 for their Proposal “Effect of Simulated Rainfall and Natural Weather on Chromated Copper Arsenate Treated Wood and Environmental Remediation: A Focus on Wood Treatment Plants in Kenya. The proposal was submitted for the 5th MksU call for internal research grant 2021/2022.
Dr. Edgar Owiti (PI) and Co-PIs (Dr. Veronica Okello, Dr. Elizabeth Ndunda and Mr. Dan Mulinge) win internal research grant of KES 700,000 for the proposal “Towards a Secure and Resilient Virtual Platform for STEM programmes in University”. The proposal was submitted for the 5th MksU call for internal research grant 2021/2022.
Prof. Getenga, a professor of chemistry in the department of Physical Sciences, in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Sören Thiele-Bruhn of the Department of Soil Science, University Trier has been awarded a funding of EUR 55,000 for the Research Group Linkage Programme 2022 under the Alexander von Humboldt foundation. The research proposes to develop a method for removing sulfonamides based antibiotics from manure using Nano-Embedded Chemically Functionalized Hydrochars. The intensive use of veterinary antibiotics for disease control in livestock production has become a leading source of environmental pollution both in terrestrial and aquatic environments. The occurrence of antibiotics and their metabolites in soils have been linked with detrimental effects on both soil microorganisms and plants. Additionally, antibiotics in the environment have been shown to induce development of drug resistant bacterial strains which could potentially even result in (multi)resistant pathogens with the potential to infect humans and animals. The research is highly welcome as it addresses the problem posed by antibiotics usage. The project has also incorporated four early career researchers from the school of Pure and Applied Sciences, providing them with opportunities to work with established researcher for mentorship.
Dr. Okello in collaboration with Prof. Ayitou, Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, wins the John Nuveen Fund Grant for International Research collaboration 2021. The grant funding of USD 7,000 is to support the development of environmentally benign carbon based materials for remediation of Oil Spillage in Water. The grant also aims at providing opportunities to UIC students to access opportunities abroad and acquire the skills and knowledge to address the global challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
Dr. Veronica Okello, a lecturer in the Department of Physical Sciences, is among the awardees of 2020 OWSD Early Career Fellows Programme. With a research funding of USD 50,000, Dr. Okello proposes to develop new analytical methods and nanoscale/nano-enabled materials for environmental remediation and monitoring of water, soil and air pollutants. The research focuses on Perchlorates (PCs) and fluorides (F-) in groundwater and surface water, which are pollutants of concern since high concentrations can cause health problems such as softening of bones, thyroid disruption, and cancer. Currently, 41% of Kenyans rely on groundwater sources while 59% use unimproved sanitation. Industrial discharge of PCs & F- in wastewater exacerbates the problem and increases loss of drinking water. It is envisaged that; Dr. Okello’s project will come up with an easy-to-use water filter that can screen F- and PCs. Given its nanosized pores, the filter should also remove other microorganisms such as bacteria. The filter will be linked to end-users through existing market systems for wastewater treatment:
Dr. Elizabeth Ndunda, a lecturer in the Department of Physical Sciences, is awarded the International Exchanges 2019 grant of EUR 6,000 in collaboration with Prof. Subrayal Reddy of University of Lancashire (UCLan). The collaboration Grant aims at developing research links between Africa-based FLAIR Fellows and UK-based researchers to address the current global challenges. The grant is awarded for the project “Development of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Water and Soil Pollution Detection and Purification”: Thus, through the grant the researchers proposes to develop an affordable sensor based on molecularly imprinted polymers for detection of phthalate esters in water. Phthalate esters have become pollutants of concern due to their toxic nature and their detection in the environment requires easy to use sensor system as an alternative to the expensive conventional systems.