CURRICULUM VITAE
Name:
Dr. Jesca Okwara Wesongah (Ph.D)
Marital Status:
Married
Number of children:
Three
Date of birth:
9th July 1966
Areas of specialisation:
Pharmacology
Current position:
Lecturer
Email Address:
JWESONGAH@HOTMAIL.COM, Mobile: 0723958983
Citizen;
Kenyan
Languages spoken;
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, 19982000)
Bsc in Biochemistry and Zoology (University of Nairobi, 1987-1990)
CURRENT WORK EXPERIENCE:
4th 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
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
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).
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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:
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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
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MERITS AND AWARDS:

Integrated Organ System Pharmacology (IOSP) School Scholarship award to attend a
workshop and congress in Potchefstroom, South Africa (18th-27th 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 25th October, 2007)

An award for the BEST scientific presentation in animal health during the 9th KARI
Biennial Agricultural Conference held at the KARI Headquarters from 8th 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
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
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 28th Meeting of
ISCTRC conference held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 26th to 30th September 2005.
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
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 28th Meeting of ISCTRC
conference held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 26th to 30th 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 22nd to 24th 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 11th May 2009 to 22nd 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 23rd October to 26th October, 2006.
6. Introduction Courses for Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) Capacity Strengthening
held at Trypanosomiasis Research Center-KARI on 29th January to 17th 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.
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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 4th–7th
March 2001, Department of Pharmacology University of the Free State.
16. Strategic planning workshop held on 5th November 2002 at KETRI Muguga, Kenya.
CONFERENCES AND INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS ATTENDED
1. The 1st International Scientific Conference held at the college of health sciences
University of Nairobi From 15th to 17th June 2011.
2. The THIRD Annual ITROMID Scientific conference held at African Institute of
Capacity Development (AICAD), JKUAT from 19th to 20th May 2011.
3. International Organ System Pharmacology (IOSP) workshop in Potchefstroom, South
Africa (18th to 21st September 2009)
4. The First Inaugral ITROMID annual conference held in JKUAT, New Science
complex, 28-29 May, 2009
5. 5th International Center for pharmaceutics and pharmacology conference (22nd to 27th
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 28th meeting of International Scientific Council for Trypanosomiasis Research and
Control (ISCTRC) held from 26th to 30th September 2005, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
9. The 26th meeting of International Scientific Council for Trypanosomiasis Research and
Control (ISCTRC) held from 26th to 30th September 2003, in Ouagadogu, Burkina Faso.
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RESEARCH GRANTS AWARDED AS A PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
DFID Funded projects

An investigation into the use of isometamidium chloride in small ruminants in KARIKiboko 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
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