CORDIO East Africa personnel

 

Directors

Dr. David Obura is the coordinator for CORDIO East Africa, supporting activities in mainland Africa and Indian Ocean island states, including research, monitoring and capacity building of coral reefs and coastal ecosystems. A primary focus is the implications of global and local threats to coral reef health and their long term prospects and provision of socio-economic benefits. With the future of coral reefs in serious question, their role as an indicator of impending changes to other natural and human-dominated ecosystems is increasingly critical, to prepare for and mitigate future disasters. He received a PhD from the University of Miami in 1995 on coral bleaching and life history strategies, which has developed into a primary research interest in climate change, coral bleaching and resilience of coral reefs. Other areas of work include the development of participatory monitoring and research tools with artisanal fishers in East Africa, and remote-reef surveys such as in the Phoenix Islands, central Pacific, and in the central and western Indian Ocean. David chairs IUCN’s Coral Specialist Group and the Climate Change and Coral Reefs working group.

Dr. Melita Samoilys has been with CORDIO East Africa as a Director since 2007. She has worked in coral reef and fisheries research, management and conservation since the early 1980s, in East Africa, elsewhere in the Indian Ocean and also in the Pacific and Red Sea. She has also contributed to fisheries policy development in Australia, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tanzania, Kenya, Sudan and Somalia, and to regional marine policy development in the Western Indian Ocean. Her focus in CORDIO is improving artisanal fisheries management; research on fish behaviour and community structure to understand impacts on reefs; and training of managers, researchers and fishers. Her particular areas of experience are the reproductive biology of groupers and spawning aggregations, marine protected areas, community – based coastal management and alternative livelihoods as a means of addressing conservation problems. Melita’s MSc and PhD were from Queensland University and James Cook University in Australia. She  is a member of IUCN’s Specialist Group on Groupers and Wrasses, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)’s Developing World Working Group and the Society for the Protection of Reef Fish Spawning Aggregations (SCRFA).

Researchers

Dr. Shakil Visram Completed his BSc (Zoology) in 1995 from the University of Eastern Africa Baraton in Kenya. He then worked on his family farm in Voi, Kenya for 2 years before going on to study for his MSc (Immunology and Immune Genetics) at the University of Manchester in England. His MSc project involved investigating the impact of NRAMP-1 (Natural Resistance Associated Macrophage Protein) gene on infection with Trichuris parasites. After completing his Masters degree, he returned to Kenya where he volunteered to coordinate a Coral Transplantation project with CORDIO East Africa. This study was designed to determine efficient protocols for restoration of coral reefs that had been damaged by recurring incidents of coral bleaching. In 2000, Shakil commenced his PhD studies at the University of York in the UK. The emphasis of his thesis was on genetic diversity and bleaching susceptibility of Symbiodinium (the dinoflagellate symbionts of corals) in corals from Kenya. On completing his studies, he formally joined CORDIO as a Research Associate. One of his major accomplishments at CORDIO has been the establishment of a laboratory for research on the genetics of marine organisms. In 2007, Shakil was appointed a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the Research Center for Biodiversity at the Academia Sinica in Taiwan, where he continues to carry out research to this date on the molecular diversity of Symbiodinium and genetic connectivity of Corals and Reef-Fish in the Western Indian Ocean. His hobbies include sport fishing, and spending time on his family farm and in National Parks.

 

Mr. Innocent Wanyonyi joined CORDIO in 1999 working with the artisanal fisheries research and indigenous knowledge projects. This was to be the beginning of a long and excellent career in coastal and fisheries resource research and management; he is currently the Principal Coordinator for SocMon WIO. His interest is to promote partnerships and building capacity for Socio-economics monitoring and Integrated Coastal Zone Management among the WIO region’s research and management institutions as well at local community levels; he is an experienced adult trainer. He has been involved in various research areas over time including artisanal fishers knowledge and fish catch and participatory monitoring, migrant fishers studies, CBOs effectiveness in coastal management study among others. He also coordinates CORDIO’s internship and mentorship programme. He is a graduate of BSc. in Natural Resources Management from Egerton University and MSc. in Tropical Coastal Management from University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He is currently a PhD. student in Marine and Coastal Management at Kalmar University. 

Stephen Oluoch is the coordinator of the SPIDER/CORDIO funded project "Empowering women self help groups in Kenya through ICT for better education and alternative livelihood opportunities". He holds a higher diploma in Project Planning and Management from Premese Africa Development Institute and a diploma in the same discipline at Kenya Institute of Management. Stephen has worked in multi-disciplinary projects for over 20 years with international, regional and local research and conservation organizations including the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) in the Social Science Interface Research Unit (SSIRU), ICIPE/Economic Commission of Africa (ECA) and Interactive Socio-economic Research of Insect Pest Management (ISERIPM) and East African Wildlife Society (EAWLS). His current areas of focus include sustainable rural development, conservation, promotion of alternative livelihoods, capacity building using ICTs and adult literacy based on the Swedish model of adult learning with emphasis on adoption of e-learning approaches. The SPIDER project is intended to provide tools for communities along the Kenyan coast to improve their socio-economic status by embracing multiple livelihood opportunities and using the potential presented by ICTs to mitigate resource and economic shocks and uplift themselves from poverty, and play an active role in sustainable exploitation of marine resources.

 

Paul Mboya Tuda graduated with a BSc in Applied Aquatic Science from Egerton University in 2007.  Prior to that he volunteered in the fisheries Program at CORDIO East Africa between 2004 and 2006 and worked between sessions and during vacations. The specific projects he worked on related to field data collection and working directly in the field with community data collectors and supporting their work on fisheries catch monitoring and  analyzing information and reporting on its management applicability. Upon graduation, he was offered a job as a research assistant in the artisanal fisheries programme. His areas of specialization relates to  co-management institutions and training needs focusing on capacity building within new co-management institutions, Beach Management Units, being promoted by the government. He has also worked in a FAO global study surrounding the use of the beach seine, an illegal destructive gear. He is currently pursuing his MSc in International Tropical Aquatic Ecology at Bremen University under the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) scholarship.

 

George Waweru Maina holds an M.Sc in Water and coastal management from the universities of Plymouth (UK) and Cadiz (Spain), 2009. His M.Sc work involved finding link between White spotted rabbit fish (Siganus sutor) catches and their occurrence of spawning aggregation in South coast Kenya. With education background in Bsc in Applied Aquatic Sciences from Egerton University, Kenya, he has worked as a research assistant at CORDIO East Africa’s fisheries research programs since 2005, currently as a fish and fisheries scientist. His main research interests include reef fish spawning aggregations, fisheries ecology, conservation and management,and use of local ecological knowledge in natural resource research and management.

 

 

Juliet F. Karisa holds a B.Sc. in Fisheries from Moi University and an M.Phil. in Fisheries management jointly from Moi University, Kenya and Linkoping University, Sweden. Her Master’s research focused on coral recruitment and post-settlement mortality. Juliet’s research interests fall broadly within coral reef ecology. For the last 5 years, she has been working on ecological and biophysical data collection, management and manipulation; and dissemination of results to local communities and relevant government agencies. Most of her recent work has focused on the assessment of coral reef resilience to climate change and she is a key analyst to the global climate change and coral reef resilience project. She has received training on Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, a course offered by SIDA (Swedish International Development Agency) International Training Programme. Juliet relies heavily on her advanced research skills in underwater surveys, laboratory work, knowledge in data analysis and report writing. She has traveled widely and has participated at local, regional and international coral reef conservation forums.

 

Dennis Macharia interned at CORDIO EA for close to 9 months(March08-June 09) while pursuing his Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science at Kenyatta University. He completed his undergraduate studies in March 2009. During his internships, he gained substantial experience in corals, fish and fisheries. In July 2009 he assumed the post of Research Assistant and has been working on the Climate Change and Coral Reefs working group conducting data analysis and spatial mapping, partly on Fish spawning aggregations in South Coast conducting creel surveys, underwater visual surveys and spatial mapping and on CORDIO's biodiversity core region programme for the northern Mozambique channel. Amongst other achievements, he has received two scholarships, to participate in the 6^thWestern Indian Ocean Marine Science Association scientific symposium in La Reunion and a Coral Restoration and Remediation training workshop at the Institute of Marine Science in Zanzibar and through collaboration with Community Based Conservation Films (CBCF-UK Darwin initiative) has produced a documentary on community adaptation to climate change. He has also received training on Geoinformation Science (GIS) for natural resources management. He aspires to establish an e-media library at CORDIO to aid in coastal natural resources conservation. His skills and hobbies include reading, scuba diving, snorkeling and competitive swimming, playing lawn tennis and chatting. CORDIO has given me the chance to learn, develop my career and attain significant goals in my life.

 Victor Mwakha is a Research Assistant at CORDIO East Africa. He holds a Bsc in Applied Aquatic Sciences from Egerton University, Kenya. Prior to joining CORDIO EA in May 2008, Mwakha worked as a volunteer intern under the Marine Ecology and Environment Programme (Sea grass monitoring) at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), Mombasa for close to 18 months. Mwakha works under the socio-economics program (SocMon WIO) which is a regional monitoring program targeting mainly 14 sites in 7 countries in the Western Indian Ocean. His main duties as a research assistant include assisting in the coordination of socioeconomic monitoring activities with site teams and site coordinators in the WIO region at the regional headquarters. He is also the data manager having assisted in SocMon database development and the coordinator for the Diani-Chale site which is one of the 14 sites in the monitoring program. His interests are in understanding coastal and marine resource use patterns through quality research, and to contribute in suggesting and implementing the best ways of sustainable and equitable management of these resources by all concerned stakeholders. A fun of the Chinese/Luhya proverbs “The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it” and “If a man wants to get something he has never had before, he’s got to do something he has never done before!” and practices them.

 

Brigid Mibei is a research assistant in Education program both in alternative livelihood project and schools marine environmental project. She has worked close to 11 months in CORDIO and holds a bachelors degree in Development studies from Makerere University, Uganda. Her main interest is helping and working together with the marginalized groups towards achieving a common goal in their communities.

 

Jane Atieno Nyanapah is currently a diploma part-time student at Mount Kenya University College, studying community development and social work. She holds certificates in community development and counselling, computer technology and bookkeeping at Mombasa Polytechnic University College and Pwani Commercial College respectively. Today Jane  is  involved in a SPIDER sponsored project in Kenya undertaking computer training sessions with the women groups and Beach Management Units. She is also involved in supporting community initiatives targeting promotion of alternative livelihood activities and environmental conservation campaigns.

 

Administration

 

Irene Mugure Kioi  earned ATC-Accounting Technicians Certificate from KASNEB-Kenya Accountants and Secretaries National Examinations and received CPA-Certified Public Accountant stage I & II certificates from same examination Board, and still pursuing a CPA career. After working and gaining experience in the accounting and bookkeeping fields for 6 years in CORDIO EA office, she is currently receiving more training in Accountancy & ICT-Information Communication Technology fields. Irene has specialized work on accounts for Non-profit making organization including donor reporting. She is also a Field Accountant for Expenditure Verification preparation returns for community-based organizations under the EU funded ReCoMaP program. Irene has lived in Mombasa since 2000. She worked before as an IT-Information Technology support assistant in a cyber cafe. She and her daughter share an interest in outdoor activities. She enjoys cross-country, swimming and hiking with the family dog.

Farheen Abdul  is a qualified chartered accountant (ACCA/CPA (K)). I started working in 1999 as an audit/tax assistant with R.N Mistry and Co and gained a lot of Tax experience with them, I left to work for Aboo and Co in May 2003, there I was initially the Audit/Tax assistant and upon Qualifying as ACCA in 2004, was promoted as an Audit Manager. I got married to Abdulkader Masum, a systems manager with East African Glassware Mart in June 2006 and am now a proud mother of Rayhan. I started working with Cordio in November 2007, initially on a contract basis to update the financial statements and come January 2008 signed on as a Grant Manager. I really enjoy working here, it’s quite different from Audit, its challenging and interesting and I hope to contribute a lot more here at CORDIO.

Jason Wiltone Mwamidiis a graduate in International Freight Management. He was recruited in CORDIO EA Office Administration department in 2007 to assist in the library. He started working with accounts in early 2009. He assists staff with verifications and submission of fieldwork and activity expense accounts on a timely basis for compilation of financial reports and also in day-to-day office management. He is a good poet and has love for nature. He likes relaxing in green and clean environment while enjoying soft music and cold breeze. Being at CORDIO shines a better day and is more cemented to work here. Day by day he feels “yesterdays are not like today”, and it’s been a source of inspiration in search for a better tomorrow.

 

Interns

Johanna Thidell is an intern at CORDIO from June to August 2009, working with the  pro j ect "Empowering women self help groups in Kenya through ICT for better education and alternative livelihood opportunities". She is focusing on an assessment of the progress, challenges of the self help groups and on outlining how this review could continue throughout as self-assessment within the group. Additionally, she is doing research for her undergraduate thesis in one of the villages included in the project, focusing on resource use and community values regarding resources and ecosystem services.She is an undergraduate biology student from Sweden, Lund University and has also studied human ecology, political science and linguistics.She is beginning her masters studies in the autumn of 2009, though she has not decided exactly what to focus on. Her main interests within the biology field are conservation biology, nature preservation, botany and floristics. The experience from her internship at CORDIO will be most valuable in deciding what her continued studies should be as well as for her personal and academic development in general. She is very grateful to have the opportunity to gain an insight into how the work at an NGO is carried out.

 

Amber Luong is a summer intern through the Foundation for Sustainable Development from the United States.She holds a B.A. in Economics from Barnard College, Columbia University, and she will be pursuing an M.A. in International Policy Studies, with a concentration in Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources starting in September 2009 at Stanford University. She spent the past five years working for an investment bank in New York City and recently decided to combine her passion for environmental sustainability with her analytical background from Wall Street to pursue a career in international environmental policy. She is grateful for the tremendous learning opportunity afforded by her internship at CORDIO and looks forward to delving into the science, the research, the policies, and the communities that form the basis of CORDIO’s work (with perhaps some snorkeling excursions along the way).
 

Noel Mbaru has interned at CORDIO EA for a period of 5months while pursuing his Bachelors Degree in Environmental Studies (Community Development) at the School of Environmental Studies, Kenyatta University. During his internship, he gained knowledge and experience in Alternative livelihoods in Marine and Coastal ecosystems in the Indian Ocean strip, Project management, Sustainable development and Climate Change, indigenous knowledge systems and Coastal and Marine conservation ; in August 2008 he trained Women Groups in the Kenyan South Coast on proposal writing for funding from the Kenyan Government; Women Enterprise Fund and in the year 2009 he has challenged himself to aid Women Self groups through team and collective participation towards market and marketing of the Soap making and Mangrove Ecotourism community livelihood projects. Amongst other achievements, he is among the pioneer sustainability generation group that arose from Mainstreaming Environment and Sustainability in Africa Universities(MESA)2009 in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). His skills and hobbies range from being a good public orator, making new friends, watching movies and always smiling towards a good sustainable idea. CORDIO EA has given him an opportunity to explore his potential with respect to his career goals and ambition as global citizen towards curbing and mitigating climate change through sustainable development.

 

Sulubu Derrick is an intern at CORDIO East Africa since March, 2009 working with the project "Genetic connectivity of Corals and Fish" as an assistant to Dr Shakil Visram. He is a continuing undergraduate student at the University of Eastern Africa Baraton, pursuing a Bsc in Conservation Biology. His hobbies are swimming, snorkeling, reading, hiking and enjoying nature. His dream is to see that one day nature is nurtured at its best. He is very grateful for the opportunity CORDIO has entitled to him.

Susan Mungo has interned at CORDIO East Africa for a period of 3 months. She is currently pursuing her Bachelors degree in Environmental studies and Community Development in Kenyatta University. During her internship period, she was attached to Socio-economic monitoring and research program and helped facilitate SocMon training, she has learnt that an effective and successful training should be based on direct and mutual relationships with the target group and on knowledge, views, attitudes and values shared between trainers, facilitators and participants. The training was a rewarding and inspiring experience for her as an intern and believes that working at the ground level, could lead to important and concrete results. She was also involved in CBOs project and did a literature review on the role and effectiveness of Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) in Marine and Coastal Management. This has helped her in understanding the importance of the community-based approach to create knowledge and to raise public awareness on sensitive issues. She was privileged to be given a chance in designing CORDIO website. She believes that if development is to be effective and sustainable, the people affected by it must take ownership of its processes and drive them forward. She likes travelling, camping, offering community services and watching movies. She feels proud to serve as an intern at CORDIO and day by day she believes that her commitment could really lead to concrete results in her area of work.