Physical Sciences staff

Eunice Marete

Email: emarete@must.ac.ke

Position Name

Director Quality Assurance

Senior Lecturer Organic Chemistry

Path/Education:

May 2006 – Dec 2009       

PhD in Food Science, University College Dublin-Ireland

Thesis title: Medicinal plants as potential sources of nutraceuticals in beverages

Mar 2003-Dec 2005

MSc. Chemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology-Kenya

Thesis title: Phytochemical and anti-microbial studies of isolates from Senecio lyratipatitus (Asteraceae).

Mar 1996 – Dec 1999        

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology-Kenya

Project title: Biological studies of the rootbark of Dombeya torrida.

Research Description

Research interests include extraction, isolation and characterisation of bioactive constituents from plants and their possible incorporation into food and beverages.

Awards and Honors

• Erasmus Exchange grant by the European Commission 2018-2020, Partner institution, University College Dublin
• MUST research fund – Project Title: Research and research output in Universities: A case study of Meru University of Science and Technology, Kenya.
• National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation, 3^rd call women scientists for 2011/2012. Project Title: Value addition of Avocado (Persea americana) by incorporating its by-products into food and beverages.
•  

Professional Membership

Kenya Universities Quality Assurance Network

Awards and Honors

Selected Publications

BOOK CHAPTER

Harbourne, N., Marete, E., Jacquier, J.C., O’Riordan, D. (2013) ‘Conventional extraction techniques for phytochemicals’ In: Handbook of Phytochemicals: sources, stability and extraction. England: Wiley-Blackwell.

JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS

5. Elaine M. Drummond, Niamh Harbourne, Eunice Marete, C. Jacquier, Dolores O’Riordan, Eileen R. Gibney. (2013). An In Vivo Study Examining the Anti-inflammatory Effects of Chamomile, Meadowsweet, and Willow Bark in a Novel Functional Beverage. Journal of Dietary Supplements. 10, (4): 370-380.
6. Githinji, L. Gitu, E. Marete, M. Githua, M. Mugo, and E. N. Mbaka (2013). Quantitative Analysis of Total Phenolic Content in Avocado (Persia Americana) Seeds in Eastern Province of Kenya. Chemistry and Materials Research, 4 (10): 48-51.
7. Elaine M Drummond, Niamh Harbourne, Eunice Marete, Danika Martyn, J-C Jacquier, Dolores O’Riordan, Eileen R Gibney. (2012). Inhibition of Proinflammatory Biomarkers in THP1 Macrophages by Polyphenols derived from Chamomile, Meadowsweet and Willow bark. Phytotherapy Research. 27 (1): 588-594.
8. Harbourne N, Marete E, Jacquier J. C, O’Riordan D. (2011). Stability of phytochemicals as sources of anti-inflammatory nutraceuticals in beverages. A Review. Special issue, Food Research International. 50 (2): 480-486.
9. Marete E. N, Jacquier J. C, O’Riordan D. (2011). Feverfew as a source of nutraceuticals for functional foods: storage stability in model beverages. Journal of Functional Foods, 3: 38-43.
10. Marete E. N, Jacquier J. C, O’Riordan D. (2010). Effect of processing temperature on the stability of parthenolide in acidified feverfew beverages. Food Research international. 50 (2): 593-596.
11. Marete E. N, Jacquier J. C, O’Riordan D. (2009). Effects of extraction temperature on the phenolic, parthenolide and colour of aqueous feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) extracts. Food Chemistry, 117: 226-231
12. Harbourne N, Marete E, Jacquier J. C, O’Riordan D. (2009). Effect of drying methods on the phenolic constituents of meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) and willow (Salix alba). LWT–Food Science and Technology, 42: 1468-1473.

Richard Boiyo

Email: rkipkemboi@must.ac.ke

Position Name

Lecturer: Atmospheric Physics and Environment

Project coordinator: Fourth Year Physics Students

Path/Education:

B.Ed Science: Physics & Math (Moi University).

M.Sc Physics: Environment Physics (Kenyatta University).

P.hD Atmospheric Physics & Atmospheric Environment

(NUIST, China)

Research Description

Dr. Richard Boiyo recognizes challenges presented by the atmosphere and climate, motivating him to research into Atmospheric optics and radiation (Optical, microphysical and radiative properties) based on comprehensive observations and multi-scale simulations & modelling.

Awards and Honors

2018 Outstanding International Graduate

2018 Specialized award for academic excellence (2018), NUIST

2018: Excellent International Student Scholarship

2017: Chinese Scholarship Council

2017: Specialized award for academic excellence (2017), NUIST

2016: Specialized awards for academic excellence (2016), NUIST

2015: Chinese Government Scholarship

2014: African Development Bank Scholarship

2005: First Class Honors, Moi University

Professional Membership

Physics Society of Kenya

Selected Publications

1. Boiyo R, Kumar KR, Zhao T. 2018. Optical, microphysical and radiative properties of aerosols over a tropical rural site in Kenya, East Africa: Source identification, modification and aerosol type discrimination. Atmospheric Environment. 177: 234–252. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2018.01.018.
2. Boiyo R, Kumar KR, Zhao T. 2018. Spatial variations and trends in AOD climatology over East Africa during 2001–2015: A comparative study using three satellite datasets. International Journal of Climatology. https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.5446.
3. Boiyo R, Kumar KR, Zhao T. 2017. Statistical inter-comparison and validation of multisensory aerosol optical depth retrievals over three AERONET sites in Kenya, East Africa. Atmospheric Research. 197:277–288.

https:// doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2017.07.012.

4. Boiyo R, Kumar KR, Zhao T, Bao Y. 2017. Climatological Analysis of Aerosol Optical Properties over East Africa Observed from Space-Borne Sensors during 2001–2015. Atmospheric Environment. 152: 298–313. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2016.12.050.
5. Kumar KR., Boiyo R., Madina A., Kang N., Guo J. 2018. A 13-year study on variations of atmospheric aerosol optical properties over Kazakhstan from remotely sensed satellite data. Journal of Atmosheric and Solar Terrestrial Physics. 179: 55–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jastp.2018.06.014
6. Aklesso, M., Kumar, K. R., Bu, L., Boiyo, R. Analysis of spatial-temporal heterogeneity in remotely sensed aerosol properties observed during 2005–2015 over three countries along the Gulf of Guinea Coast in Southern West Africa. Atmospheric Environment, 182: 313–324. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2018.03.062
7. Hu K, Kumar KR, Kang N, Boiyo R, Wu J. 2018. Spatial-temporal characteristics of aerosols and changes in trends over China with recent MODIS Collection 6 satellite data. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 25: 6909-6927. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-0715-6.
8. Memeu, D. M. and Boiyo R. 2017. Suitable Image Features for Drought Stress Detection in Beans using Raspberry PI Imaging System. International Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology (IJIET). International Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology (IJIET). ISSN: 2319-1058. http://dx.doi.org/10.21172/ijiet.81.001
9. Mito, C. O., Boiyo, R., and Laneve, G. 2012. A simple algorithm to estimate sensible heat flux from remotely sensed MODIS data. Int. International Journal of Remote sensing. 33: 6109–6121. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01431161.2012.680616

Waswa M.N., Boiyo K., Riara, M.M. 2013.Characterization and study of Biodegradation Effect on the Creep Behavior of High Density Polyethylene/Cellulose Blend. International Journal of Biotechnology and Biochemistry. 9: 115­126.

Ratumo J. Toeri
Email: jratumo@must.ac.ke
Position Name:Chair of Department

Lecturer Inorganic and Physical Chemistry

Student Advisor: First Year

Path/Education:

BSc Chemistry (Moi University)

M.Phil Inorganic Chemistry (Moi University)

Dr. rer. nat. Inorganic Chemistry and Materials Chemistry (University of Freiburg – Germany)

Research Description

Novel chitosan membranes for wastewater purification

Awards and Honors

German Academic Exchange Program (DAAD) Scholarship

Professional Membership

American Chemical Society

Kenya DAAD Scholars Association

IUPAC Affiliate Member

Selected Publications

(1)   Toeri, J.; Laborie, M.-P. Synthesis and Characterization of Macrocyclic Polyether N,N′-Diallyl-7,16-Diaza-1,4,10,13-Tetraoxa-Dibenzo-18-Crown-6. Molecules 2016, 21 (2), 171.

(2)   Toeri, J.; Laborie, M.-P. Effects of Grafting Azacrown Ether on Thermal and Swelling Properties of Chitosan Films. ChemEngineering 2017, 1 (2), 16.

(3)   Toeri, J.; Osorio-Madrazo, A.; Laborie, M.-P. Preparation and Chemical/Microstructural Characterization of Azacrown Ether-Crosslinked Chitosan Films. Materials 2017, 10 (4), 400.

(4)   Toeri, J.; Kagwanja, S. M.; Lusweti, J. K.; Muthakia, G. K. Redox and Spectroscopic Properties of Heterobinuclear Complexes of Cobalt(III) Schiff Bases and Chloronitrosyl Molybdenum Fragments. IJPP 2010, 2 (1), 77–85.