Chief Research Scientist KMFRI – Oceanography & Hydrography Marine Ecology & Seagrass Physiology Seagrass Restoration • Coral Reef Ecology • Ocean Literacy • Community Development Email: juku@kmfri.go.ke Email: juku988@gmail.com Current Roles Coordinator of Research – KMFRI
Chair – Africa Ocean Decade Taskforce
Past President – WIOMSA Board
Executive Committee – SCOR
Member – Ocean Literacy Expert Group Academic Qualifications PhD – Stockholm University (Seagrass Ecology)
MSc – University of Nairobi
BSc – University of Nairobi Research Location KMFRI Mombasa Research Centre
Department: Oceanography and Hydrography | Leadership Focus: Advancing marine conservation through seagrass research, fostering community-led coastal development, and driving the Africa Ocean Decade agenda for sustainable ocean governance. Dr. Jacqueline Uku is a Chief Research Scientist at KMFRI and a distinguished conservation leader specializing in the ecology and physiology of marine flora, with a particular focus on seagrasses. Her pioneering research has significantly advanced understanding of tropical seagrass ecosystems along the East African coast. Dr. Uku has a special interest in community development, having worked extensively with coastal communities during the Kenya Coastal Development Project as the Project Leader. She currently serves as the Coordinator of Research at KMFRI, overseeing the Institute's scientific agenda and research portfolio. Jacqueline is the recent past President of the Board of the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) and also serves on the Executive Committee of the Scientific Committee for Oceanic Research (SCOR). She is currently serving as the Chair of the Africa Ocean Decade Taskforce, whose main mandate is to support the implementation of the Africa Ocean Decade Roadmap. She is also a member of the expert group for Ocean Literacy. Leadership & Governance Expertise Past President – WIOMSA Chair – Africa Ocean Decade Taskforce Executive Committee – SCOR Ocean Literacy Expert Group KMFRI Research Coordinator Research Interests & Specializations - Seagrass physiology – Photosynthetic adaptations, productivity, and carbon acquisition in tropical seagrasses
- Seagrass restoration and ecosystem management – Pioneering restoration trials in Kenyan seagrass meadows
- Coral reef ecology – Macroalgal-coral interactions and reef ecosystem dynamics
- Seaweed ecology – Distribution patterns and ecological roles of macroalgae
- Community livelihood development – Integrating conservation with coastal community empowerment
- Ocean literacy – Advancing public understanding of ocean science and sustainability
Scholarly Contributions Extensive Publication Record: Numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, books, reports, and theses spanning seagrass ecology, coral reef dynamics, ocean governance, and blue economy. Key publications in Marine Ecology Progress Series, Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, Marine Biology, Journal of Phycology, Frontiers in Marine Science, Aquatic Botany, and the WIO Journal of Marine Science. Book & Report Contributions: Co-editor of "From Ridge to Reef: A legacy for sustainable coastal development in Kenya" (KMFRI, 2021). Contributor to the Global Ocean Science Report 2020 (IOC-UNESCO) and Blue Economy: An Ocean Science Perspective (Springer, 2022). Lead author of numerous technical reports for KWS, CORDIO, WIOMSA, and UNEP-GEF WIO-LaB. Theses: PhD – "Seagrasses and their epiphytes: Characterization of abundance and productivity in tropical seagrass beds" (Stockholm University, 2005) • Licentiate Thesis – Stockholm University (2003) • MSc – University of Nairobi (1995) Dr. Jacqueline Uku's appointment to the KMFRI Board and her global leadership roles bring unparalleled expertise in marine ecology, community-driven conservation, and ocean governance – strengthening the Institute's capacity to deliver on its blue economy mandate, advance seagrass restoration, and position Africa's ocean science agenda within the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. |
