It’s a milestone in academia as the Republic of Chile’s Prof. Aparna Banerjee and Dr. Shrabana Sarkar collaborate with two Kenyan scholars on evidence-based, empirical studies that are likely to add value in the biotechnology space. The collaborators in the research include Dr. Patrick Okoth from Masinde Muliro University (MMUST) and Albert Mwongula of Alupe University, from the Department of Biological and Agricultural Sciences
Photo: (R-L) Albert Mwongula, Prof M Toboso, Prof. Aparna Banerjee, Dr Shrabana Sarkar, and Dr Patrick Okoth
It is the hope of the research team that this collaboration shall lead to sustainable linkages to the international community while working with the three Functional Polysaccharides Research Group in Universidad Autónoma de Chile (a university in Chile). The group is currently conducting research on microbial diversity in geothermal environments and the adaptability of these microorganisms in such environments. The presence of active and renowned geothermal hotspots at Olkaria & Lake Bogoria, in Nakuru County, as well as around Lake Magadi in Kajiado County, makes it justifiable to conduct intercontinental studies between Africa and Southern America. The outputs from the study will compare the diversities in the ecological makeup of such environments in the study sites and draw intercontinental variations that may exist in the geothermal space.
Photo: The DVC, The Alupe University Protocol Team, Members of the Directorate of Research & Innovation, and other members of staff together with the delegation from Chile, Southern America
Mr Mwongula is currently working on his PhD research, which centers on “Unraveling Microbial Diversity and Adaptive Genomic Signatures in Relation to Geochemical Profiles of Kenya and Chile’s Geothermal Environments”. Mr Mwongula is looking forward to the possibilities of extending the collaboration even after the current exploration that ends in 2027.
Photo: The DVC, The Alupe University Protocol Team, Members of the Directorate of Research & Innovation, and other members of staff together with the delegation from Chile, Southern America
Mr Mwongula is currently working on his PhD research, which centers on “Unraveling Microbial Diversity and Adaptive Genomic Signatures in Relation to Geochemical Profiles of Kenya and Chile’s Geothermal Environments”. Mr Mwongula is looking forward to the possibilities of extending the collaboration even after the current exploration that ends in 2027.
Outcomes from the Research Collaboration
At the end of this research, it is expected that Mr Mwongula will be able to finish his doctoral studies, from which several research papers shall be published, thereby adding value to the school of knowledge. In addition, the research aims to find useful biomolecules that are handy in biotechnology in specific sectors such as the pharmaceutical industry, the food industry, bioplastics, and the manufacture of cosmetics. In the teaching realm, Alupe University looks forward to having exchange programs where the lecturers may have public lectures among the two universities, in addition to student exchange programmes.
By Victoria Magar & Savai Sabwa,
Alupe University Media