CURRICULUM VITAE Name: Marital Status: Number of children: Dr. Jesca Okwara Wesongah (Ph.D) Married Three Date of birth: 9 th July 1966 Areas of specialisation: Current position: Pharmacology Lecturer Email Address: JWESONGAH@HOTMAIL.COM, Mobile: 0723958983 Citizen; Languages spoken; Kenyan English, Kiswahili, French and Luhya QUALIFICATIONS: PhD in Pharmacology (University of Nairobi/ Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, 2005 to 2008) Mphil in Pharmacology (University of Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain, United Kingdom, 1998-2000) Bsc in Biochemistry and Zoology (University of Nairobi, 1987-1990) CURRENT WORK EXPERIENCE: 4 th JANUARY 2011 to Date: Lecturer Lecturer at the Medical Laboratory Sciences Department, JomoKenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) with the following responsibilities Teaching of Fourth, Third and first year Medical Lab Science (MLS) degree course. I teach the following units; Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacology and pharmacognosy, Parasitology and Biochemical instrumentation Examination of postgraduate students after reading their research theses 1
Supervision of Fourth year MLS students on attachment in different hospitals/research centres Supervision of research projects undertaken by fourth year university MLS students Writing of research proposals for both local and international funding. Dissemination of research findings through conferences, seminars and workshops Attending short courses, workshops and open days for acquisition of new knowledge. Writing of scientific articles for publication in refereed scientific journals/books November 2006 to December 2010: Assistant Lecturer Assistant Lecturer at the Medical Laboratory Sciences Department, JomoKenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) with the following responsibilities Teaching of Fourth, Third and first year Medical Lab Science (MLS) degree course. I teach the following units; Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacolology and pharmacognosy, Parasitology and Biochemical instrumentation Supervision of Fourth year MLS students on attachment in different hospitals/research centres Supervision of research projects undertaken by fourth year university MLS students Writing of research proposals for both local and international funding. Publication of research findings Dissemination of research findings Examination of Thesis I have been an Internal Examiner for the following MSc and PhD theses: 1. The seasonal abundance of Anopheles Gambiae group and malaria transmission in a fringe area of Western Kenya (Mr Andrew Ambogo Obala, REF; BPS/S40-0004/2002). 2. Prevalence of HIV testing and factors associated with its utilization among patients attending the casualty clinic at Mbagathi District Nairobi, Kenya. (Cliff Okioma Nyangena -REF; BPS/TM310-0054/2007). 2
3. Epitope specificity and Polyfunctional CD4+ responses in of HIV-1 highly exposed seronegative versus infected female commercial sex workers. (Marion W. Kiguoya,REF; BPS/SC351-0006/2008). 4. Prevalence and associated factors for peripheral neuropathy among patients on stavudine attending Meru District Hospital Comprehensive Care Center, 2010 (Martin Kirimi Thuranira, TM312-0317/09). ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) Examination officer-jkuat (2010/11) Secretary of the training committee-mls-jkuat Assistant Secretary of the Kenya Society of Basic and Applied Pharmacology (KeSoBAP) Member of the Technical Committee of Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS) PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE: 2003 to October 2006: Research Officer I Attached to Residue analysis lab (KARI-TRC, Pharmacology Division) with the following responsibilities Proposal writing for grants and implementation of research projects Dissemination of research findings through conferences, workshops and seminars Writing of scientific publications in peer reviewed journals Supervision of the technical and junior staff. Preparation and validation of ELISA conjugates and antibodies for analysis of drug levels in serum and tissues from different animal species. Development and evaluation of analytical laboratory techniques. Testing and evaluation of the efficacy of new and existing veterinary drugs. Determination and evaluation of the distribution and extent of veterinary drug resistance in Kenya. Training of technical staff and external students on attachment. Drug use studies in tsetse endemic areas of Kenya 1995-to 2002 Research Officer II: 3
Attached to Residue analysis lab (KARI-TRC, Pharmacology Division) Proposal writing for grants and implementation of research projects Supervision of the technical and junior staff. Preparation and validation of ELISA conjugates and antibodies for analysis of drug levels in serum and tissues from different animal species. Development and evaluation testing of analytical laboratory techniques. Testing and evaluation of the efficacy of new and existing veterinary drugs. Determination and evaluation of the distribution and extent of veterinary drug resistance in Kenya. Training of technical staff and external students on attachment. Drug use studies in tsetse endemic areas of Kenya Dissemination of research findings through conferences, workshops and seminars Writing of scientific publications in peer reviewed journals 1990 to 1994 Assistant research officer, Attached to tissue culture laboratory (KARI-TRC-Pharmacology Division) o Learning of tissue culture techniques and other general laboratory techniques o In vitro and in vivo drug sensitivity studies on various trypanosome isolates from various tsetse endemic areas in Kenya o Culturing of trypanosomes and cells in vitro 4
MERITS AND AWARDS: Integrated Organ System Pharmacology (IOSP) School Scholarship award to attend a workshop and congress in Potchefstroom, South Africa (18 th -27 th September, 2009) Kenya Agriculture Research Institute/KAPP world bank scholarship award for PhD studies (2005/08) International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Fellowship award for a period of 4 months in Belfast Northern Ireland (25 June to 25 th October, 2007) An award for the BEST scientific presentation in animal health during the 9 th KARI Biennial Agricultural Conference held at the KARI Headquarters from 8 th to 12 November 2004. British Government Technical Cooperation Training Award 1998 African Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology (AiBST) short course award 2002 International Society for the Study of Xenobiotics workshop award 2001 REVIEWER FOR JOURNAL 1. African Journal of Pure and Applied Chemistry (www.academicjournals.org/ajpac) PUBLICATIONS IN PEER REVIEWED JOURNALS G.A. Murilla, Jesca O. Wesongah, Terence Fodey, Steven Crooks, A. N. Guantai, W. M. Karanja and T. E.Maitho. (2010) Validation of a competitive chloramphenicol enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for determination of residues in Ovine tissues East and Central African Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Vol. 13, pg12-18. Wesongah, J.O. Grace A. Murilla, Guantai, A.N. and Mdachi R.E., (2009) Pharmacokinetics of chloramphenicol in sheep after intramuscular application. East and Central African Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences.Vol. 12, No. 1. pg 3-7. Wesongah J.O., Grace A. Murilla, Guantai, A.N, Chris Elliot, Terry Fodey, and Andrew Cannavan (2006) A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for determination of chloramphenicol. Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics 30, 1-6, 2007 5
F.D. Wesonga, J.O. Wesongah, J.Chemuliti, K.Wanjala and P.Gitau (2006) Seroprevalence of Erlichia ruminantium in goats and sheep in a pastoral production system in Narok District of Kenya. Bulletin of animal health production 54, No. 1 23-33 K.Wanjala Wesongah J.O., F.D. Wesonga, J.Chemuliti (2006) Harvesting indigenous knowledge for community development: Lessons from the Maasai Pastoralists of Narok, Kenya International Journal of Agricultural Research 1, (4): 312-321. Wesongah J.O. Jones, T.W., J.K. Kibugu and Murilla G.A. A comparative study of the pharmacokinetics of isometamidium chloride in sheep and goats, (2004). Small Ruminant Journal 53, 9-14, Elsevier Wesongah J.O., Murilla G.A. J.K. Kibugu and Jones, (2004). T.W. Follow-up of isometamidium levels in sheep and goats after prophylactic treatment, Onderstepoort Journal Veterinary Research, Onderstepoort journal of veterinary Research, 71:175-179, Publisher -ARC.LNR. Wesongah J.O., J.Chemuliti, F.D. Wesonga, K.Wanjala, L.Munga, P.Ngare and Murilla G.A. (2005). Prevalence of parasitic infections in small ruminants in a pastoral community in Narok district, Kenya. Bulletin of Animal Health Production, 53,218-225. Deborah W. Kioy, Grace Murilla, Mawuli W Kofi-Tsekpo, M. Mukhongo and J.O. Wesongah, Anti-trypanosomal effects of some compounds isolated from the extracts of Warburgia ugandensis. African Journal of Health Sciences Vol. 5 No. 1 1998. Wesongah, J.O., Olaho-Mukani, W.M, Mukunza F. and M.Mutugi (1997) Drug sensitivity of some stocks of T. evansi isolated from camels in Eastern Africa. Journal of Camel Practice and Research, 4, No. 2, pg 277-280. Maina, N.W.N., Otieno C., J.O. Wesongah, Ngatia, P.N. Auma, J.E., Nyangao J.M.N., Olaho-Mukani, W., and Sutherland D.V. Drug resistance of Trypanosoma evansi isolated from camel herds in Kenya. Journal of Camel Practice and Research, December 1996, 125-126. G. Murilla, J.O. Wesongah, J. Chemulitti and R.E.Mdachi (2006) Comparison of local tolerance, pharmacokinetics and prophylactic activity of two formulations of isometamidium: Samorin and Securidum Proceedings of the 28 th Meeting of ISCTRC conference held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 26 th to 30 th September 2005. 6
J.O. Wesongah, J. Chemulitti, F.D. Wesonga, L.Munga, P.Ngare and G.A. Murilla (2006) Trypanosomosis and other parasitic diseases affecting sheep and goats production in two group ranches, Narok District, Kenya, Proceedings of the 28 th Meeting of ISCTRC conference held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 26 th to 30 th September 2005. THESES Wesongah J.O. (2000) Studies on isometamidium chloride: Pharmacokinetics and efficacy against trypanosomosis in sheep and goats. Mphil Thesis, University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Wesongah J.O. (2008) Development of a chloramphenicol Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay for analysis of chloramphenicol residues in livestock products. PhD Thesis, University of Nairobi, Kenya. SHORT COURSES ATTENDED 1. Medical laboratory accreditation workshop April 26-29, 2010 at Mt Kenya Safari club, Nairobi, Kenya. 2. An implementation course in ISO 15189:2007 Medical laboratories-requirements for quality and competence held from 22 nd to 24 th February, 2010 at Swara Safari Hotel Nairobi, Kenya. 3. E-Learning training held at the JKUATES laboratory organized by the e-learning Department of JKUAT 11 th May 2009 to 22 nd May 2009. 4. Training course for Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases by Lamp from 18-19 December 2006, at International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya. 5. Workshop on Effective project planning and evaluation in biomedical research, held at Trypanosomiasis Research Center-KARI on 23 rd October to 26 th October, 2006. 6. Introduction Courses for Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) Capacity Strengthening held at Trypanosomiasis Research Center-KARI on 29 th January to 17 th February, 2006. 7. Workshop on scientific writing and presentation held on 16/2/04 to 24/2/04 sponsored by EANETT/Swiss Development Cooperation, in Machakos, Kenya. 8. Drug Discovery ADME Science and technology Cape Town, South Africa, 18-23 August 2002. 9. Good Laboratory Practices Workshop 23-25 Oct 2002, KETRI Muguga, Kenya. 10. Good Laboratory Practices Workshop 28-29 May 2002 The Grand Regency Hotel Nairobi, Kenya. 7
11. Communication for scientists May 1996, Nairobi. 12. Use of Computers for the Recording, Storage and Analysis of Scientific April 2002 13. Proposal Writing for Policy Research Held at Department of Agricultural economics, University of Nairobi, Kenya, March 4-5, 2002 14. East Africa Regional Workshop 22-25 May 2002 Kilifi, Kenya Research in Protozoan Pathogens. 15. Drug Metabolism Workshop for Africa held in Bloemfontein South Africa from 4 th 7 th March 2001, Department of Pharmacology University of the Free State. 16. Strategic planning workshop held on 5 th November 2002 at KETRI Muguga, Kenya. CONFERENCES AND INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS ATTENDED 1. The 1 st International Scientific Conference held at the college of health sciences University of Nairobi From 15 th to 17th June 2011. 2. The THIRD Annual ITROMID Scientific conference held at African Institute of Capacity Development (AICAD), JKUAT from 19 th to 20 th May 2011. 3. International Organ System Pharmacology (IOSP) workshop in Potchefstroom, South Africa (18 th to 21 st September 2009) 4. The First Inaugral ITROMID annual conference held in JKUAT, New Science complex, 28-29 May, 2009 5. 5 th International Center for pharmaceutics and pharmacology conference (22 nd to 27 th 2009) 6. An International meeting of Collaborative Research Projects (CRP) held in Germany on strategic drug residue techniques from 26 to 31 October 2006 at Freising,Germany. 7. The First International Conference on Camelid research held in Eilat, Telaviv, Israel in 1995. 8. The 28 th meeting of International Scientific Council for Trypanosomiasis Research and Control (ISCTRC) held from 26 th to 30 th September 2005, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 9. The 26 th meeting of International Scientific Council for Trypanosomiasis Research and Control (ISCTRC) held from 26 th to 30 th September 2003, in Ouagadogu, Burkina Faso. 8
RESEARCH GRANTS AWARDED AS A PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR DFID Funded projects An investigation into the use of isometamidium chloride in small ruminants in KARI- Kiboko Range Station. An investigation into the pharmacokinetics of isometamedium chloride in sheep and goats under laboratory conditions. REFEREES Dr. Hellen Kutima Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, P.O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi. Email, Cell Phone hkutima@yahoo.com. 0722251195, 0734357660 Prof. A.N. Guantai University of Nairobi School of Pharmacy Department of pharmacology and pharmacognosy P.O. Box 19676, Nairobi Email. anguantai.yahoo.com, Cell Phone 0722636427 Dr. Salome Bukachi Institute of Anthropology, Gender & African Studies University of Nairobi P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi Email. sallybukachi@yahoo.com, Cell Phone. 0726771808 9