Early Career Marine Biotechnologist KMFRI Mombasa Molecular Biology & Biotechnology Omics • eDNA • Fish Genomics • Metagenomics • Bioinformatics Email: smwakisha@kmfri.go.ke Email: mwakishasam@gmail.com Department Fisheries (Molecular Biology / Biotechnology) Specialization Molecular Biology • Biotechnology • Genomics Core Expertise eDNA Techniques
Fish Whole Genome Analysis
Metagenomics
Next-Generation Sequencing
Bioinformatics & R Programming | Research Focus: Marine biotechnology, omics research, environmental DNA (eDNA), fish genomics, metagenomics, and AI-driven analysis of aquaculture microbial communities. Early career marine biotechnologist who joined KMFRI in July 2019 with a strong focus on omics-based approaches in aquatic sciences. He actively applies environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques to complement conventional biodiversity assessment methods, contributing to more accurate ecosystem monitoring. His work includes fish whole genome analysis to understand ecological and physiological processes in aquatic organisms. He is proficient in bioinformatics and R programming, with routine involvement in nucleic acid extraction, next-generation sequencing, and advanced data analysis. Currently, he is exploring the application of artificial intelligence in understanding aquaculture metagenomes, aiming to unlock microbial interactions and improve sustainable aquaculture systems. Research Interests Fish Genomics Metagenomics eDNA Bioinformatics Aquaculture Microbiome Artificial Intelligence Awards & Recognition - WIOMSA – MARG I Grant (2020)
- MEXT PhD Scholarship (2021)
Qualifications - MSc Biotechnology – JKUAT
- B.Tech Biotechnology – Technical University of Kenya
Selected Publications Mwamburi et al. (2019) Production of polyhydroxyalkanoates by hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria. Teresia et al. (2020) Endophytic fungi from mangrove plants along the Kenyan coastline. Ohowa et al. (2021) Sponges as biomonitoring tools for trace element pollution. |
