EXPERIENCE
My professional journey across biotechnology, innovation, and management.
Chief Operating Officer
Lenny Kivuti Innovation Centre • Nairobi County, Kenya
Providing high-level strategic direction and ensuring operational efficiency across all legacy projects and departments.
Product Manager & Researcher
Lenny Kivuti Innovation Centre • Kenya
As a Product Manager and Researcher at LKIC, I assist in developing Lenny Kivuti's legacy projects, which include transforming Kenya's agricultural landscape by maximizing the value of local produce, promoting sustainable practices, and creating new economic opportunities. My responsibilities span the entire project lifecycle, from conceptualization and feasibility studies to technology selection, project planning, implementation, and stakeholder management. I actively contribute to LKIC's diverse portfolio, including real estate development & management, cultural & social impact projects, and further research & innovation in multiple fields.
Scientific Researcher
Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) • Nairobi County, Kenya
Co-authored and led the scientific development of multiple high-value
grant proposals and concept notes targeting critical issues in Kenyan agriculture, livestock
health, and productivity.
- PPR Vaccine Development: Drove the proposal for an in
vivo efficacy study of a novel multi-epitope subunit vaccine for Peste des Petits Ruminants
Virus (PPRV), designing the methodology for goat trials.
- Livestock Digital
Identification: Developed the concept note and presentation for a national Livestock Digital
Identification and Management system using RFID technology to combat cattle rustling and
improve traceability.
- Probiotic Upscaling: Authored the proposal to upscale the use of
KALRO's proprietary probiotic (KALPRO™) to enhance livestock production and mitigate climate
change effects in arid and semi-arid lands.
Briefly contributed to the strategic planning
for a Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) vaccine project.
Biotechnology Researcher
Centre for Science and Technology Innovations (CSTI) • Nairobi, Kenya
Research to support the development of Processes and Procedures that
ensure CSTI can enhance SME and Citizen Science capacity in Circular Bioeconomy
Eco-Industrial Technologies as Socio-Technical Systems. Identifying genomic sequences that
can be used to define the optimal research path for sickle cell biologics and biopharma
treatment in Eastern Africa.
Coordinate with African CSOs Biodiversity Alliance
(ACBA) to develop a user profile of the needs and expectations with respect to data
collection, access, and use of regional DNA Sequencing Information (DSI) databases for the
conservation of African Biodiversity. I am currently working on developing protocols for DNA
sequencing of African Odonata to ascertain the epigenetic effects of exposure to PFAs,
training citizen science volunteers on socio-environmental data collection, and planning for
low-cost methods to perform accurate biochar chemical characterization. I am also a
researcher within an East African Sickle Cell Disease Project consortium, assisting with the
study design that links personal and environmental health.
Audio Engineer
Master Made Studios • Nairobi County, Kenya
Learning how to improve sound to a professional level.
Music Producer
Spectrum Music • Nairobi, Kenya
Part-time job as a music producer and artist.
Assistant Real Estate Manager
Geomaps Africa • Nairobi, Kenya
I worked directly under the instruction of Geomaps Africa's CEO. I was responsible for overseeing that construction projects are ongoing in good time and to the client’s standard. Finding clients to rent out office space and housing. Assisting current clients with any issues that may arise. It taught me a lot about teamwork, the chain of command, the client and employee vetting process, plus project and time management under pressure.
Bio-polymer Research Intern
Centre for Science and Technology Innovations (CSTI) • Nairobi, Kenya
Produced cassava bioplastic to produce carrier bags for commercial use, in response to the ban on synthetic plastic-based carry bags in Kenya.
Undergraduate Research Assistant
CDC/KEMRI • Nairobi, Kenya
I was attached to the Centre for Traditional Medicine and Drug
Research (CTMDR) which involved Botanical identification, documentation, and storage.
Extraction of phytochemicals and phytochemical studies of medicinal plants. Evaluation of
plant extracts in various in vitro and in vivo assays: antimalaria, antibacterial,
anticancer, anti-viral agents, antioxidant assays, and cytotoxicity on mammalian cell lines.
Formulation of herbal remedies: antibacterial soap and antiviral cream. Theoretical primer
preparation, PCR (real-time) studies, MTT assays and trypsinization, Leishmania studies,
Malaria studies, HPLC studies. I was also the group leader of my student
group.
Taking interest in studies by other scientists in the institute allowed me to
learn how to use HPLC and PCR machines. Also how to perform in vivo bioassays for both
cancer inhibition and pain medicine production, and learning how to perform an MTT assay and
trypsinization procedure. I also took a bit of interest in the leishmaniasis lab.
I
stayed longer than the other trainees but had to leave in July for two reasons. Firstly, I
decided to first complete my bachelor's studies before getting a job. Secondly, I decided to
go assist my Dad campaigning for the 2017 Kenyan election.