Dr. Samuel M. Karenga, Ph.D.
P.O. BOX 28832-00100Nairobi, Kenya,
B.Sc. (1st Class Hons) (Egerton),
M.Sc (Egerton), Ph.D. (Oklahoma State University, OK, USA)
E-mail: skarenga@mku.ac.keLecturer, Bio-analytical/Organic ChemistryACADEMIC POSITIONS
Dean School of Post graduate Studies Mount Kenya University 2017- present
Lecturer (School of Pure and Applied Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Medical School) Mount Kenya University, Thika, Kenya July 2013-Present
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Formal Post-Baccalaureate ProgramCenter for Science and Mathematics EducationSan Francisco State University, CA, USA August 2011-February 2013
Teaching Assistant (Organic Chemistry) January 2006–July 2010
Teaching Assistant (General Chemistry) August 2005-December 2005Oklahoma State University, Department of Chemistry, Stillwater, OK
Various projects in designing and performing post modification reactions on organic monolithic stationary phases for liquid chromatography
Doctor of Philosophy in Analytical Chemistry 2010
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK Advisor: Professor Ziad El Rassi
Dissertation: Neutral Monolithic Capillary Columns with Alkyl and Aryl Ligands for
Reversed-Phase Capillary Electrochromatography
Page 2 of 4
Master of Science in Organic Chemistry 2009
Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya
Thesis: Anti-larval and Growth Disrupting Constituents from Melia volkensii on Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry 2002
Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya
RELATED RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
The Molecular Foundry, University of California, Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory, Chemist Postdoctoral Fellow September 2010- July 2011
Mentor: Dr. Frantisek Svec
Preparation of (meth)acrylate based monoliths with controlled pore size distribution for use in size exclusion chromatography, desalting mixtures, etc
Performing post modification reactions on monoliths to adapt them for the separation of macromolecules
Characterization of materials and particles using surface characterization instrumentation
Oklahoma State University, Graduate Research Assistant April 2006–July 2010
Research Internship August 2003-April 2005
International Center for Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Nairobi, Kenya
Industrial Internship January 2001-February 2001
Kenya Maltings Limited, Nairobi, Kenya
AWARDS, AFFILIATIONS AND SERVICES
Post-doctoral Fellowship 2010
ITP 2010 travel award 2010
Nominated for best Graduate Teaching Assistant award 2010
WHO/MIM/TDR Scholarship: I.C.I.P.E 2003
First class honors bachelor of science degree 2002
Member of the American Chemical 2010
Member of the California Separation Science Society (CASSS) 2010
JOURNAL REVIEWER: Electrophoresis, Journal of Separation Science, Analytical and
Bio-analytical Chemistry
SELECTED WORKSHOPS, TRAINING & CONFERENCES
Impact Evaluation Workshop, Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya 2015
World Class University Research Outcomes Intensive 2015, Towers Rotana, Dubai
2015
CASSS discussion group-achieving good column performance, Emeryville
California, USA 2011
MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and proteomics workshop, Stillwater,
Page 3 of 4
Oklahoma, USA 2008
1st International Conference, Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya 2013
Kenya Chemical Society Conference, ARC Hotel Egerton University 2002
PUBLICATIONS
Karenga, S., El Rassi, Z., Mixed ligand monolithic columns for reversed-phase capillary electrochromatography via hydrophobic and π interactions. Electrophoresis, 2011, 32, 1044–1053
Karenga, S., El Rassi, Z., Controlling retention, selectivity and magnitude of electroosmotic flow by segmented monolithic columns consisting of octadecyl and naphthyl monolithic segments. Applications to RP-CEC of both neutral and charged solutes. Electrophoresis, 2011, 32, 1033–1043
Karenga, S., El Rassi, Z., Trends in nonpolar polymer-based monolithic columns for reversed-phase capillary electrochromatography. Electrophoresis, 2010, 32, 90–104
Karenga, S., El Rassi, Z., Naphthyl methacrylate-phenylene diacrylate-based monolithic column for reversed-phase capillary electrochromatography via hydrophobic and π interactions. Electrophoresis, 2010, 31, 3200–3206
Karenga, S., El Rassi, Z., A novel, neutral hydroxylated octadecyl acrylate monolith with fast electroosmotic flow velocity and its application to the separation of various solutes including peptides and proteins in the absence of electrostatic interactions. Electrophoresis, 2010, 31, 3192–3199
Karenga, S., El Rassi, Z., Naphthyl methacrylate-based monolithic column for RP- CEC via hydrophobic and π-interactions. Electrophoresis, 2010, 31, 991-1002
Karenga, S., El Rassi, Z., Neutral octadecyl monolith for reversed phase capillary electrochromatography of a wide range of solutes. J. Sep. Sci., 2008, 31, 2677-2685
SELECTED PRESENTATIONS
Karenga, S. (2013). Neutral acrylate/methacrylate-based monolithic stationary phases for the RP-CEC of neutral and charged species in the absence of annoying electrostatic interactions. 1st International Conference by Mount Kenya University, Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, August 28th-30th
Karenga, S. (2011). Monolithic capillary columns with alkyl and aryl ligands for capillary electro- and liquid-chromatography. Thermo fisher, Sunnyvale, California, May 18
Karenga, S. (2010). Neutral acrylate/methacrylate-based monolithic stationary phases for the RP-CEC of neutral and charged species in the absence of annoying electrostatic interactions. The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley NationalLaboratory, Berkeley, California, June 29
Karenga, S., El Rassi, Z., (2010). Investigation on Mixed Ligand Monolithic Stationary Phases for Capillary Electrochromatograophy. 25th International symposium on Microscale MicroScale Bioseparations (MSB), Prague, Czech Republic, March 21-25
Karenga, S., El Rassi, Z., Minquan Zhang (2010). Neutral monolithic columns for reversed-phase capillary electrochromatography of a wide range of species via nonpolar and π-interactions-applications to proteomics profiling in a 2D capillary platform. Fourth Saudi Science Conference, Medina, Saudi Arabia, March 21-24
Karenga, S., El Rassi, Z., Minquan Zhang (2009). An integrated fluidic platform for simultaneous depletion and prefractionation of proteins prior to two-dimensional electrophoresis for facilitating in-depth serum proteomics profiling. 24th International symposium on Microscale MicroScale Bioseparations (MSB), Dalian, China,October 18-22
Karenga, S., El Rassi, Z., Minquan Zhang (2009). Neutral monolithic columns for reversed-phase capillary electrochromatography of a wide range of species via nonpolar and π-interactions-applications to proteomics profiling in a 2D capillary platform. 1st Sino-US Symposium on Separation Sciences, Dalian, China, October17-18
Karenga, S. (2009). Investigation on a neutral octadecyl monolith for reversed phase capillary electrochromatography of a wide range of solutes, Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya, July 22
EXTRACURRICULAR AND VOLUNTEER EXPERINCE
Jigger treatment activity in Marsabit County 2015
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory run around 2010
Robert/Eunice fishing contest 2007
Coordinated volunteers for ITP 2010, Baltimore, Maryland 2010
First Presbyterian church, Stillwater faith family
(crop walk to fight world hunger) 2008
Upendo Kwanza volunteer team (USA, Kenya) 2006-present
Tree planting during environmental conservation week,
Egerton University, Njoro 2002
STUDENT SUPERVISION
Lucy Wamuyu Mwangi (Undergraduate) Graduated August 2015
Project title – Adoption of Ninhdrin-Based Physical Processing of Latent Prints to
Investigate Complicated Crimes
Dr. Peter Kirira
PhD Nagasaki Unversity, Japan
MSc, Kenyatta University, Nairobi Kenya
Email:pkirira@mku.ac.ke
Academic Qualification
Name of Institution: Kyoto University, Japan
Field of Study: Synthetic Chemistry
Degree: Postdoctorate Training
Completion Date: March 2012
Name of Institution: Nagasaki University, Japan
Field of Study: Pharmaceutical Sciences
Degree: PhD
Completion Date: September 2010
Name of Institution: Kenyatta University
Field of Study: Organic Chemistry: Natural Products
Degree: MSc
Completion Date: December 2004
Name of Institution: Kenyatta University
Field of Study: Education: Chemistry & Mathematics
Degree: BEd Science
Completion Date: October 2001Professional Experience i) Designation/Position: Director, Mount Kenya University Foundation & Senior
Lecturer, Department of Physical Sciences
Name of Employer: Mount Kenya University
Start Date: August 2017 End date: to date
ii) Designation/Position: Deputy Director, Research and Development & Senior
Lecturer, Department of Physical Sciences
Name of Employer: Mount Kenya University
Start Date: May 2013 End date: July 2017
iii) Designation/Position: Post doctorate Fellow
Name of Employer: Kyoto university, Japan
Start Date: October 2010 End date: February 2012
iv) Designation/Position: Senior Research Officer, Chemical Sciences Unit, Centre for
Traditional Medicine & Drug Research
Name of Employer: Kenya Medical Research Institute
Start Date: January 2006 End date: May 2013
D. Student Supervision & Research Related Activities
Postgraduate Student Supervision: PhD Supervision
Name: Mr. Peter Karanja (MSc.) Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology
Title: Antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities of Kenyan Cape
Gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.). MSc. Supervision
Name: Ms. Anne Nyakio Nyamakima, Kenyatta University
Title: Synthesis and antimalarial evaluation of quinoline-trioxane and quinoline-chemosensitizer hybrid drugs.
Name: Mr. Solomon Githuka, Kenyatta University
Title: Antiplasmodial activity of some Kenyan medicinal plant extracts singly or in combination with chloroquine and/or artemisinin.
Name: Ms. Fiona Oyatsi, JKUAT/ITROMID
Title: Synthesis of novel hybrid molecules for malaria control.
Name: Ms. Dorothy Kedesani Moga, JKUAT/ITROMID
Title: An investigation of biological activity of plant therapeutics in vitro against cervical and prostate cancer cells
Name: Ms. Anne Muhuha, Mount Kenya University
Title: Antimicrobial activity of moringa oleifera, aleo vera and warbugia ugandensis on multidrug resistant escherichia coli, pseudomonas aeruginosa and staphylococcus aureus.
ii) Grant & awards:
a) Donor: Templeton World Charity Foundation (TWCF), Amount; 862,311 USD, Date 2016-2018; Project summary: Kenya Christian and Scientific Affiliation (KCSA): Facilitating Synergetic Interactions between Science and Christian Faith. Role: Co-Principal Investigator
b) Donor: Association of African Universities, Amount; 2,000 USD, Date 2016; Project summary: Small grants for thesis and dissertation awarded to Ms. Fiona Oyatsi for the thesis “Synthesis of Novel Hybrid Molecules for Management of Plasmodium falciparum”. Role: Supervisor
c) Donor: National Commission for Science, Technology & Innovation (NACOSTI), Amount; 200,000 KSH, Date 2015-2016; Project summary: MSc. research grant for a proposal titled “An investigation of anti-proliferative and antioxidant activity of plant derived extracts against cervical and prostate cancer cell lines” awarded to Ms. Kedesani D. Moga. Role: Supervisor
d) Donor: National Commission for Science, Technology & Innovation (NACOSTI), Amount; 200,000 KSH, Date 2015-2016; Project summary: MSc. research grant for a proposal titled “Investigation of the neem plant extracts regulation of genes associated with cervical and prostate cancer in vitro” awarded to Mr. Paul M. Kimani. Role: Supervisor
e) Donor: Mount Kenya University Vice-chancellor Research Grant, Amount;
100,000 KSH, Date: 2013-2014; Project summary: Synthesis and antimalarial evaluation of quinolone-trioxane and quinolone-chemosensitizer hybrid drugs. Role: Principal Investigator.
f) Donor: National Council of Science & Technology (NCST), Amount; 1,000,000
KSH, Date: 2013 -2015; Project summary: Investigation of anti-cancer activity in selected medicinal plants used in the management of cervical cancer. Role: Principal Investigator
g) Donor: Kenya Medical Research Institute, Amount; 980,000 KSH, Date: 2013 –
2015; Project summary: Bioprospecting for anticancer agents from selected Kenyan medicinal plants for the management of prostate and cervical cancer. Role: Principal Investigator
h) Donor: Jomo Kenyatta University of Science & Technology (JKUAT), Amount;
4,290,000 KSH, Date: 2012 -2015; Project summary: Synthesis of novel hybrid molecules for the management of malaria. Role: Co-Investigator
i) Donor: National Commission for Science, Technology & Innovation (NACOSTI), Amount; 200,000 KSH, Date 2012-2013; Project summary: MSc. research grant for a proposal titled “Syntheses and Antimalarial Evaluation of Quinoline-Trioxane and Quinoline-Chemosensitizer Hybrid Drugs” awarded to Ms. Anne N. Wamakima. Role: Supervisor
j) Donor: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Priority Areas, Amount; 8,000,000
k) Donor: Japanese Government Ministry of Education and Training (Monbukagakusho), Amount; 6,000,000 Yen, Date: 2007 -2010; Project summary: Research student scholarship. Role: PhD Student
l) Donor: International Foundation for Science (IFS, F/4199-1), Amount; 10,000
USD, Date: 2007 -2008; Project summary: Isolation and biological studies of anti- plasmodial compounds from selected plants used by Maasai community, Kenya. Role: Principal Investigator
iii) External Thesis Examination – 2016
a) Justus Omboga Obwoge, thesis titled “Studies of pharmacological properties and health benefits of tea selected from three tea growing regions of Kenya” an MSc thesis from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology.
b) Ronald Nyakweba Otondi, thesis titled “Structure-activity studies of - octalactone analogues and blends against tsetse flies, Glossina pallidipes and G. morsitans morsitans” an MSc thesis from Kenyatta University.
c) Ms. Kihagi R. Wamuyu, thesis titled “Antibacterial, Antifungal and Phytochemical Screening of the Plant Species Lannea Schweinfurthii (Engl.)Engl.” an MSc thesis from Kenyatta University.
d) Victor I. Mwangi, thesis titled “Antimalarial activity of methylene blue against
drug resistant Plasmodium parasites” an MSc thesis from Jomo Kenyatta
University of Agriculture & Technology.
e) Ms. Jackson M. Obegi, thesis titled “Phytochemical composition and repellency of volatiles emitted by live potted Mentha piperita (Pepper Mint) plants against Anopheles gambiae ss” an MSc thesis from Kenyatta University.
Other Activities
i) Member of MKU Ethics Review Committee
Role: Reviewer of protocols and a facilitator during trainings on ethics.
ii) Consultancy for Rafiki Bank.
Project: East Africa Chama Awards 2014
Role: Reviewer of applications and selection of winning candidates
iii) Consultancy for Partners for Care NGO
Project: a) Water Backpack Re-Design 2014, b) Water Backpack Impact Assessment in 4 Counties 2016
Role: Re-design strategies of Greif water backpack, impact assessment report on
use and adoption of the water backpack technology.F. Recent/selected publications (2006 to date)
PUBLICATIONS
Kande, A. W., Kirira, P. G., & Michuki, G. N. (2017). University Industry Collaboration and Innovativeness of Firms: Evidence from Kenya Innovation Survey. International Journal for Innovation Education and Research, 5(3), 1-10.
Kirira PG, Karenga SM, Michuki GN. A Technical Report Research on Utilization of packH2O in Kenya. 2016. http://www.packh2o.com/wp- content/uploads/2016/09/Mount-Kenya-University-Research-On-Utilization-of-packH2O- in-Kenya.pdf
Kirira PG, G.M. Rukunga, A. Wanyonyi, F.M. Muregi, J.W. Gathirwa, C. N. Muthaura, S.A. Omar, F. Tolo, G.M. Mungai, I.O. Ndiege*. J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 106:403-7.Conferences & Workshops
February 2017: Participated in a two day “International Workshop on Clinical Research and Grant Writing” on 23rd & 24th February, 2017 at Meru.
February 2017: Participated in a two day training workshop on “Quantitative data analysis with R” at African Population Health Research Centre, Kitusuru APHRC Campus on 16th & 17th February, 2017.
November 2016: Participated in the IST-Africa Horizon 2020 Training workshop on Research & Innovation funding mechanism organised by the Ministry of Education Science and Technology in cooperation with IIMC, Ireland on 10th November 2016 at Moi University, Nairobi campus.
September 2016: Organized and Participated in a two-day training course on Plagiarism on 14th and 15th September 2016 held at Mount Kenya University, Thika Campus.
September 2016: Organized and Participated in a 2-day National Delegates Conference on Science and Religion themed “Fostering Dialogue between Faith and Science in the African Context” from 8th – 9th September, 2016 at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya. Topic presented: Faiths and Worldviews.
July 2016: Participated in the Faraday Institute Summer Course 11 Science and Religion: Conversations between Worldviews on 3rd – 8th July 2016, held at Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
May 2016: Organized and Participated in a 3-day course facilitated by the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion on “Science and the Christian Faith: The Quest for Synergetic Co-existence” from 10th – 12th May 2016 at Masada Hotel, Naivasha, Kenya.
April 2016: Organized and Participated in a two-day training on Research Ethics on 7th and 8th April, 2016 held at Mount Kenya University Graduation Pavilion, Thika, Kenya.
December 2015: Participated in the inaugural Bioethics Society of Kenya conference held on 16th and 17th December, 2015 at Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya.
December 2015: Participated as a delegate in the second Senior Expert Dialogue Conference 2015 (SED – 2015) on Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) on the theme “Innovation Hubs, Clusters and Parks and Africa’s Transformation” hosted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and NACOSTI on 2nd-4th December, 2015 held at Laico Regency Hotel, Nairobi Kenya.
November 2015: Participated as a faculty trainer at MKU Kitale Campus on a workshop titled Scientific Communication: Grant Proposal and Publication Writing, on 13th November, 2015, Kitale, Kenya.
October 2015: organized and participated at the ICABUMPA-iN4iN International Conference funded by Mount Kenya University in collaboration with Leipzing University of Germany, on 27th-29th October, 2015 titled “New Concepts for Business Acceleration for Africa” held at Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Nairobi, Kenya.
September 2014: Received completion certificate/transcript for Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI Program) modules on animal Care and Use.
June 2014: Participated in a 5-day Critical Appraisal of Research Proposals Training Workshop on 16th to 20th June, 2016 held at Silver Springs Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya.
August 2013: Organized and Participated in a 3-day (August 28-30) Mount Kenya University First Biannual International Conference themed “Towards Achieving a Knowledge Economy through Research and Innovation”, at Safari Park, Nairobi, Kenya. Topic: Apoptotic Machinery as a Drug Target in Protozoan Parasites: A Case of Malaria Parasite.
June 2013: Participated as a Trainer in a two-day Supervisors and Postgraduate Students workshop at Nairobi Campus. Presentation: Dissemination of Research Findings.
May 2013: Participated in a 5th Annual Academic Conference (1st International Conference): Globalisation and Empowerment in Africa held at Rift Valley Sports Club- Nakuru, Kenya From 16th to 18th May, 2013
May 2013: Participated in a course on Compliance to Biosafety Act No. 2 of 2009 and its Regulations Topics: The Role of NBA in Biosafety Regulation in Kenya and the Biosafety (Contained Use) Regulations, 2011.
April 2013: Organized and participated in Mount Kenya University Bioethics Sensitization Training.
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering- Mendeleyev University of Chemical Technology, Russia
Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Engineering- New Jersey Institute of Technology, USA