Prof. Sheila Okoth is a professor at the University of Nairobi, School of Biological Sciences. She holds a PhD and MSc. Degrees in Mycology from the University of Nairobi. She has specialist laboratory training in plant biotechnology and biosafety, mycotoxin analysis and molecular techniques at Stellenbosch University, South Africa, University of Hertfordshire, UK, the Institute of Sciences of Food Production (ISPA-CNR), Italy, and the International Agricultural Centre, Netherlands. She has more than 90 publications in refereed journals, published two books and edited two volumes of International Journal of Tropical and Subtropical Agro-ecosystems. Okoth is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, UK; Fellow of the Kenya National Academy of Science; Fellow of African Women in Agricultural Research and Development. She is also the President of the African Society of Mycotoxicology and part of the Partnership for Aflatoxin Control in Africa (PACA). Her research interests are in food safety and fungi as bio control and biofertilisers agents.
TCC AFRICA: Did you choose to get into your current research area or was it by default?
It was by default. When I finished my undergraduate degree, I applied for a Master’s degree and I happened to get a German Academic Exchange Service(DAAD) scholarship that was being offered in Mycology for faculty development to the best students. My nature is to try and make the best of what is around me and despite not having a specialization in a specific aspect of Biology I got into Mycology and made the best of it.
TCC Africa: Was this in the University of Nairobi?
Yes, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers scholarship to students and staff of the University of Nairobi where at the time I was a tutorial fellow. I also won the DAAD PhD scholarship and had specialist training abroad.
TCC Africa: Tell us more about your research career?
I developed an interest in this research area due to the aflatoxicosis outbreaks that were frequent in Kenya. The outbreaks were as a result of consumption of food contaminated with aflatoxins. I wanted to be part of the solution to the Aflatoxin problem in Kenya which have resulted to poisoning and death. Aflatoxins are Class 1 carcinogens produced by some fungi.
More at https://cbps.uonbi.ac.ke/basic-page/prof-sheila-okoth
