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<span>Dr. Domitila Kyule</span>
Scientist

Dr. Domitila Kyule

Centre Director, Sagana

Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute
 
Senior Research Scientist
Centre Director – KMFRI Sagana
 
Fish Safety & Value Addition
Post-Harvest Technologies • Food Safety • Aquaculture Innovation
 

Email: domsjos@yahoo.com Email: domsjos2016@gmail.com

 
Current Role & Experience
Centre Director – KMFRI Sagana Aquaculture Research Centre
Over 10 years academic and research experience
Principal Investigator – CSAPP, STFC & KCSAP Projects
Academic Qualifications
PhD Microbiology – Kenyatta University, Kenya (2014–2019)
MSc in Limnology and Wetland Ecosystems – UNESCO-IHE, Netherlands (2007–2009)
BSc (Botany & Zoology) – University of Nairobi (1999–2003)
Leadership Training
Senior Management Course – Kenya School of Government, Embu
Strategic Leadership Development Program – Kenya School of Government, Embu
Leadership Focus: Driving innovation in fish value addition and post-harvest technologies, advancing fish safety standards, and providing policy direction for sustainable aquaculture development in Kenya.
 

Dr. Domitila Kyule-Muendo is a Senior Research Scientist at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI). Currently, she serves as Centre Director at KMFRI, Sagana, responsible for coordinating and implementing research, administrative, and financial activities, ensuring they align with the Institute's strategic plan, vision, and mandate.

Dr. Kyule-Muendo is trained in Senior Management and Strategic Leadership from the Kenya School of Government, Embu Campus. During her academic and research experience spanning over 10 years, she has collaborated in the development and execution of donor-funded research projects at national, regional, and international levels, including ASARECA, KAPAP, and NRF Projects.

Currently, she is a Principal Investigator of donor-funded projects including CSAPP, STFC, and KCSAP Projects. She has vast knowledge and experience in post-harvest technologies, value addition, safety in fish and fish products, and general aspects of aquaculture and fisheries thematic areas. She has published over 10 books and book chapters, over 25 papers in peer-reviewed journals, and has innovated over thirteen fish products and an improved fish smoking kiln.

 
Research Interests & Specializations
Fish Product Development & Value Addition Fish Safety & Standards Post-Harvest Technologies Fish Health Management Aquaculture Policy Briefs Improved Fish Smoking Kiln Innovation
 
Key Innovations & Achievements
  • Innovated over thirteen fish products – Developing value-added fish products to enhance marketability and consumer acceptance
  • Improved fish smoking kiln – Designed and developed an efficient smoking kiln to reduce post-harvest losses and improve product quality
  • Over 25 peer-reviewed publications – Contributing to knowledge in fish safety, value addition, and aquaculture
  • Over 10 books and book chapters – Including the State of Aquaculture Report, Fish Recipe Book, and Training Manuals
 
Key Policy & Advisory Roles
TVET Curriculum Committee – Aquaculture Technicians Technical Member – Food Safety Bill & Policy Review Member – Fish Marketing Policy Development Member – Blue Economy Strategy for Kenya
 
KMFRI Committee Memberships
  • Monitoring and Evaluation Committee
  • Risk Management Committee
  • KMFRI Performance Management Committee
 
Key Research Contributions & Publications
  • Consumer Preferences – Published research on perceived consumer preferences of fisheries products retailed in Kenyan markets (Bioscience Research 2020).
  • Fish Product Development & Market Trials – Led research on fish product development and market trials in Kirinyaga and Meru Counties (Livestock Research for Rural Development 2014).
  • Selective Breeding – Co-authored research on selective breeding of Nile tilapia for increased genetic diversity and sustainable aquaculture development (Journal of Applied Aquaculture 2021).
  • AquaFeed Value Chain – Contributed to review of critical aspects of aquafeed value chain in Kenya's aquaculture sector (Sustainable Agriculture Research 2021).
  • Zoonotic Pathogens – Published research on prevalence of zoonotic Cryptosporidium spp. isolates in Njoro Sub-County (African Journal of Infectious Diseases 2021).
  • Fish Value-Added Product Preferences – Led research determining fish value-added product preferences among residents of Wote Town, Makueni County (Bulletin of Animal Health and Production in Africa 2016).
 
Books & Major Publications
Lead Editor – State of Aquaculture Report 2021 – "Towards Nutrition Sensitive Fish Food Systems" (KMFRI, 2021). Contributing author to multiple chapters including "Post-Harvest Management, Value Addition and Fish Marketing" (Chapter 6) and "Development Strategies and Prospects for Sustainable Aquaculture Development in Kenya" (Chapter 10).
Fish Recipe Book, Volume 1 – Lead author of fish recipe book (KMFRI, Kenya Literature Bureau, 2017, 45pp), promoting fish consumption and value addition.
Training of Trainers (ToT) Manual – Co-author of Training of Trainers manual for aquaculture value chain (KCSAP, KALRO, 2020).
Overview of Good Aquaculture Practices in Kenya – Co-author of KMFRI publication on good aquaculture practices (2017, 34pp).
Dr. Domitila Kyule-Muendo's leadership as Centre Director at KMFRI Sagana brings exceptional expertise in post-harvest technologies, fish safety, and value addition – strengthening the Institute's capacity to innovate fish products, develop improved processing technologies, influence policy through technical advisory roles on food safety and fish marketing, and advance sustainable aquaculture development that reduces post-harvest losses, enhances food and nutrition security, and creates economic opportunities along Kenya's aquaculture value chain.
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