Prof. Caroline Thoruwa
Chairperson
Prof. Caroline Thoruwa is one of the founding members of AWSE. She was previous Secretary of AWSE before being elected as chairperson in 2010. She has a passion for projects that serve to improve the educational and social status of girls and women. Prof. Caroline has a Ph.D. in Chemistry and her research interests are in Organic & Natural Products chemistry, medicinal chemistry, post- harvest products and biofuels. Prof. Thoruwa has previously served in various capacities at Kenyatta University including Director of Nairobi City campus, Chair of the Department of Chemistry, Director of Undergraduate Studies and Director – Center for Linkages & International Programs. She is also the Secretary General of International Network Women Engineers & Scientists (INWES).
Prof. Mary Abukutsa-Onyango
Treasurer
Prof. Mary Abukutsa-Onyango is an accomplished researcher at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya. Her research work in indigenous vegetables and medicinal plants has received international awards which include: the presidential award of Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (2010), the top prize in the African Union Regional Woman Scientist in Earth and Life Sciences(2010), and the Edinburgh Medal (2014). She is currently the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Production and Extension) at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. She has previously held various leadership positions at the university such as Coordinator of Resource Mobilization Committee (JKUAT) and Director of Postgraduate Studies (Maseno University). She is also an active mentor at the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD).
Mrs. Mary Mwangi
Secretary
Mrs. Mary Mwangi is a lecturer at the Kenyatta University, Kenya, specializing in Plant Biotechnology. Her research involves working with women in the communities to tackle food security and poverty reduction. She has conducted various research projects with various organizations which include: National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation(NACOSTI), Organization for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa (OSSREA) and Lake Victoria Research Initiative (VicRes) among others.
Prof. Ethel Monda
Board Member
Prof. Ethel Monda is an Associate Professor of Microbiology at the Kenyatta University, Kenya, specializing in post-harvest fungi and mycotoxicology. She is a well published researcher, working and mentoring students in the area. She has previously been the director of Intellectual Property Rights at Kenyatta University. She is a board member in several organizations including the Chandaria Business Innovation Incubation Center, which mentors young entrepreneurs.
Dr. Jolly Kabirizi
Board Member
Dr. Jolly Kabirizi (PhD) is a forage agronomist working with the National Agricultural Research Organization, Uganda. She has been an active advocate for incorporation of legume crops in small -holder farming systems in Uganda. She has been involved in several funded projects as well as mentoring fellow women scientists, encouraging them to use their scientific knowledge to better the lives of the community.
Dr. Sylvia Materu
Board Member
Sylvia Materu is a biochemist and a lecturer at Solomon Mahlangu College of Science and Education, Tanzania. Her main interests are in raising awareness on the environmental resource management and conservation. She is involved in mentoring students in her area of research.
Prof. Mabel Imbuga
Ex-officio Board Member
Prof. Mabel Imbuga is the former Vice Chancellor of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kenya. She is a Professor of Biochemistry, with extensive teaching and scholarly experience. She has demonstrative leadership experience as Dean of Faculty of Science and Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic affairs (JKUAT). She mentors young scientists and engineers through speaking at various forums. She is also one of the founding members of AWSE; immediate former Director of International Network of Women Engineers and Scientists; and member, International Conference of Women Engineers and Scientists (ICWES).
Dr. Rehema Ndeda
Ex-officio Board Member
Dr. Rehema Ndeda is a mechatronic engineer, working at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya. She has keen interest in design optimization for sustainable innovation. She is also the AWSE blog curator, enhancing the career choices of women in STEM.
