Research Scientist Freshwater Systems Research Environmental Toxicology & Fisheries Biology Organochlorine Pesticides • Pollution Profiling • Aquatic Assessments Email: jnyaundi@kmfri.go.ke Email: nyaundjo@gmail.com Academic Qualifications PhD Finalist – Kisii University, Kenya (Dissertation Examined; Passed Thesis Defense Sept 2022; Awaiting PhD Graduation Dec 2023) MSc – Masinde Muliro University of Science & Technology (MMUST), Kenya (2012) International Diploma – Marine & Freshwater Resources Monitoring & Assessment (UNU-FTP, Iceland) BSc Hons – University of Eastern Africa, Baraton (UEA) Certificate – Data Handling & Analysis (Wageningen University, Netherlands) EU Supported Biostatistics & Scientific Research Certificates Professional Memberships Environmental Institute of Kenya (EIK) National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) – Environmental Assessments Research Location & Specialization KMFRI Kisumu Research Centre Department: Freshwater Systems Research (FWS) Specialization: Fisheries Science, Environmental Ecology, Pollution Profiling Research Interests: Aquatic Environmental Toxicology, Fisheries Biology & Ecology, Marine & Fresh Water Assessments, Organic & Inorganic Contaminants, Disaster Management & Sustainable Development | Leadership Focus: Advancing understanding of aquatic environmental contamination, assessing organochlorine pesticide residues in freshwater ecosystems, and providing scientific evidence for sustainable management of fisheries resources in Kenya's inland waters. Joseph Kiyuka Nyaundi has been a practicing research scientist in the field of aquatic sciences since engagement. He is a trained and qualified postgraduate (MSc) student from Masinde Muliro University of Science & Technology (MMUST) (December 2012) and is currently undergoing doctoral training at Kisii University as a PhD Finalist (Dissertation Examined; Passed Thesis Defense September 2022; awaiting PhD graduation December 2023). He has also attained an International Diploma on Marine and Freshwater Resources, Monitoring & Assessment from the United Nations University-Fisheries Training Programme (UNU-FTP) in Iceland; Certificate Training on Data Handling & Analysis from Wageningen University of Research (WUR) in the Netherlands; and 4 other Biostatistics and Scientific Research certificates from the European Union. He is a member of the Environmental Institute of Kenya (EIK) and the National Environment Management Authority of Kenya (NEMA), working on issues dealing with Environmental Assessments. Currently, he serves as a Tutorial Fellow for undergraduate groups in both private and public universities. He has participated in several international research projects and teams focusing on income generation, employment, poverty alleviation, conservation, and management of aquatic resources. Major Research Projects & Collaborations Kenya Belgium Joint Project (KBJP) EU-Lake Victoria Fisheries Research Project (EU-LVFRP) Implementation of Fisheries Management Project (IFMP) Lake Victoria Environmental Management Project (LVEMP II) National Council Science Technology & Innovation (NACOSTI) National Research Fund (NRF) Transfer Allowable Quarters (TAQ) & Transferable Allowable Catch (TAC) – Mussel Culture in North Sea Research Specializations & Interests
Key Research Contributions & Publications Organochlorine Pesticides Research – Lead author on dissipation of environmental DDT metabolites concentrations in surface water in high-density populated areas of South-Western Kenya (African Journal of Aquatic Science 2023); occurrence and distribution of organochlorine pesticide residues in water and sediment in earthen fish ponds in South West Kenya (Uganda Journal of Agricultural Science 2021); organochlorine contaminants in Nile tilapia in densely populated areas of South-Western Kenya (Journal of Environmental Science & Engineering 2020). Blue Economy & Recreational Fisheries – Co-authored research on emerging frontiers for blue growth in African Great Lakes: the potential for recreational fishing industry in Lake Victoria, Kenya (Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management 2023). Fish Stock Assessment – Co-authored research on stock assessment of Lates niloticus (Nile perch) in Upper Victoria Nile, East Africa and its impact on national economy (Uganda Journal of Agricultural Science 2020); conservation of endangered native Victoria Tilapia, Oreochromis variabilis in Upper Victoria Nile (Uganda Journal of Agricultural Science 2020). Lake Victoria Research – Extensive contributions to understanding the ecology, pollution status, and fisheries of Lake Victoria, including research on water quality, phytoplankton diversity, cyanobacteria, cage culture impacts, and mercury distribution in the lake's food web (co-author with Campbell et al., Journal of Great Lakes Research 2003). Mitochondrial DNA Studies – Co-authored research on comparative mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of Oreochromis variabilis and Tilapia zilli: genome characterization and phylogeny analysis (JKUAT Scientific Conference Proceedings 2019); complete mitochondrial DNA sequences of Victoria tilapia and Red belly Tilapia (Taylor & Francis International Journal 2015); mitochondrial genome of endangered native Singidia tilapia (Oreochromis esculentus) (Mitochondrial DNA 2015). Joseph Kiyuka Nyaundi's extensive research and technical contributions at KMFRI strengthen the Institute's capacity to assess organochlorine pesticide contamination, monitor water quality, evaluate fish populations, and develop evidence-based management strategies – contributing critical scientific information for the protection of Kenya's freshwater ecosystems and the sustainable development of inland fisheries, particularly Lake Victoria. |