2009 to Current

Egerton University, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Molecular Biology practicals and General Biochemistry

• Other responsibilities include the following:
  • In charge of the Molecular Biology laboratory.
  • Oversee day to day running and management of the laboratory.
  • Carry out and advice on various Molecular Biology techniques carried out in the lab by our regular students and others who would like to use the lab. These include: nucleic acid extractions, amplification by PCR, electrophoresis as well as optimization and troubleshooting.
  • Prepare, set up and conduct practicals for both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
  • Assist staff and students in their research and research projects respectively.
  •  Assist in the publication of research out puts.
  • Assist the Chief Technologist with day to day running of the department and act as the Chief Technologist when he is away or on leave.
  • Together with the chief technologist develop SOPs; ensure constant supply of consumables, reagents and equipment in the lab as well as their preventive maintenance.

• Ensure quality assurance and quality control in the laboratory especially with safety and use of SOPs. Member of the quality assurance committee in the department.

• Marking of practical reports for both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
• Invigilating of examinations.

2001 to June 2009

International Livestock research Institute (ILRI)

• Extraction (using various methods), standardization, cataloging and storage of DNA from various sources.
• DNA amplification  (PCR). 
• Extraction of high quality total RNA from various tissues for use in Micro-array work.
• cDNA synthesis and subsequent use for qPCR assays
• Preparing, running and processing both agarose and acryl amide gels.
• Fragments analysis by genemapper software
• Purification of monocytes and their subsequent cultivation as well as growth into macrophages and CD4 cells in the laboratory.
• Purification of trypanosomes from blood and their subsequent cultivation and growth in the laboratory as well in laboratory animals
• Challenging and subsequent monitoring of laboratory animals miceand cattle.
• Train and assist visiting scientists, postgraduate students and undergraduate students on the various Molecular Biology techniques in the laboratory and in their research.
• Liaise with the local area coordinator and manage SOPs, ensure constant supply of consumables, reagents and equipment in the lab as well as their preventive maintenance.
• Ensure quality assurance and quality control in the laboratory especially with safety and use of SOPs.
• Collect samples in the field and share them with our overseas collaborators.
• Prepare serum and plasma and store it optimally for further analysis.
• Microscopic examination of experimental animals using blood smears, prepare and read PCVs to ascertain levels of infection and enter this into databases.
• Carry out basic analysis (using Microsoft excel) of phenotypic data from experimental animals especially survival data and parasitaemia.