CURRICULUM VITAE

Dr. Boniface Mwanzia Kavoi (BVM, PGDE, MSc, PhD)

1. PERSONAL INFORMATION

Names: Dr Boniface Mwanzia Kavoi; Date of Birth: April 18, 1972; Nationality:

Kenyan; Marital status: Married; Confession: Protestant; Languages: English,

Kiswahili; Tel., + 254 02 4446764 Ext 2336 Mobile: +254 720895968 E-mail: [email protected] Contact address: C/o Department of Veterinary Anatomy

& Physiology, Chiromo Campus, University of , P.O Box 30197-00100,

Nairobi.

2. SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

After graduating with a Bachelors degree in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Nairobi in November 1998, I registered with the Veterinary Board and began private clinical practice in and Makueni Counties in Kenya. At the same time, I served as a teacher (Chemistry & Biology) in S.D.A Secondary School in . In 2001, I was employed by Choicemeds Pharmaceutical Company as a Medical Representative, a position I 2 held until 2003 when I left to join S.D.A Secondary School () as a Science teacher and a Dairy Farm Manager. While working as a teacher in Mutitu S.D.A, I registered for a school-based postgraduate training in education at Egerton University. After completing the teacher training in 2004, I was employed by the University of Nairobi as a Tutorial Fellow in the Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology. My MSc program, which I started immediately after joining the department, was completed in November 2008. My PhD work was started in 2009 and was successfully completed in October 2012. My earlier and current research (theses and publications) mainly focuses on smelling and the smelling tissue in the nasal cavity and the brain of vertebrates.

3. PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

(1) Kenya Veterinary Board, (2) Kenya Veterinary Association, (3) International

Brain Research Organization (IBRO), (4) Society of Neuroscientists of Africa

(SONA) and (5) Kenya Society of Neuroscientists (KSN)

4. ACADEMIC BACKGROUND

Year Institution Qualification

2009 – 2012 University of Nairobi Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

2005 – 2008 University of Nairobi Master of Science (MSc) in

Veterinary Anatomy

2003 – 2004 Egerton University Postgraduate Diploma in Education

(Subjects: Biology & Chemistry)

1992 – 1998 University of Nairobi Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVM)

1987 – 1990 Mumbuni High School Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education

1979 - 1986 Kyamithenge Pri. School Kenya Certificate of Primary Education

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5. EMPLOYMENT RECORD

Year Employer Position(s) held

June 2012- Present University of Nairobi Lecturer, Department of

Veterinary Anatomy & Physiology

2004 – 2012 University of Nairobi Tutorial Fellow, Department of

Veterinary Anatomy & Physiology

2002 – 2004 Mutitu S.D.A Sec. Sch. Teacher: Biology & Chemistry

Manager: School dairy farm

2001 - 2002 Choicemeds Pharmaceuticals Medical representative

1999 – 2001 Masii S.D.A Sec. Sch. Teacher: Biology & Chemistry

Head: Science Department

6. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

I. PhD Thesis

Titled: “The Rabbit Olfactory Mucosa: Postnatal Morphology and the Effects

of Anticancer Drugs Vinblastine and Docetaxel”- Completed Oct 1, 2012

II. MSc Thesis

Titled: “Comparative Morphology and Morphometry of the Olfactory Mucosa in

the Domestic Dog and Sheep”- Graduated Oct 17, 2008

III. PGDE Project

Titled: “Causes of Poor Students Performance in Schools within Mbooni

Division of Makueni District in Kenya”- Graduated Nov, 30 2004

IV. Full length articles

1. Boniface M. Kavoi, Andrew N. Makanya, Plendl Johanna and Stephen G.

Kiama: Morpho-functional Adaptations of the Olfactory Mucosa in

Postnatally Developing Rabbits. Anatomical Record 295: 1352-1363, 2012

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2. Boniface M. Kavoi, Andrew N. Makanya and Stephen G. Kiama: Anticancer

Drug Vinblastine Sulphate Induces Transient Morphological Changes on

the Olfactory Mucosa of the Rabbit. Anatomia Histologia Embryologia 41:

374-387, 2012

3. Boniface Kavoi and Hassanali Jameela (2011): Comparative Morphometry of

the Olfactory bulb, Tract and Stria in the Human, Dog and Goat.

International Journal of Morphology, 29: 939-946, 2011

4. Andrew N. Makanya, Yosif El-Darawish, Boniface M. Kavoi, Valentin Djonov:

Spatial and functional relationships between air conduits and blood

capillaries in the pulmonary gas exchange tissue of adult and developing

chickens. Microscopy Research & Techniques 74: 159-169, 2011

5. Boniface Kavoi, Andrew Makanya, Jameela Hassanali, Hans-Erik Carlsson,

Stephen Kiama: Comparative Functional Structure of the Olfactory

Mucosa in the Domestic Dog and Sheep. Annals of Anatomy 192: 329–337,

2010

V. Published abstracts

1. Boniface M. Kavoi, Hassanali Jameela. Comparative Morphometry of the

Olfactory Bulb, Tract and Stria in the Human, Dog and Goat. A paper

presented at the 10th International Conference of the Society of

Neuroscientists of Africa “Topics in Neuroscience: Basic to Clinic” at

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 9-11 Feb, 2011

2. Kavoi, B.M, Makanya A. N., Plendl J, Kiama S.G. Morphology of the

Olfactory Mucosa after Administration of Vinblastine Sulphate in Adult

Rabbits. A paper presented at the 2nd International Conference on

Neuroinfection and World Impact at the University of St. Denis, Reunion

Island, 26 Nov-7 Dec 2010

3. Kavoi, M.B., Kiama S.G., Makanya A.N. A Comparative Study of the

Olfactory Mucosa in the Dog and the Sheep. A paper presented at the 6th

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Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Biennial Scientific Conference held at

Upper Kabete Campus, University of Nairobi, 17-19 Sept., 2008

4. Kavoi, M.B. Kiama S.G., Makanya A.N, Hassanali J. Morphometric

Comparisons of the Olfactory Mucosa in Suckling and Adult dogs. A paper

presented at the 6th Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Biennial Scientific

Conference held at Upper Kabete Campus, University of Nairobi, 17-19

Sept., 2008

5. Kavoi, M.B. Ultrastructure of the Olfactory Tissue in Dogs and Sheep. A

paper presented at the Department of Neuroscience, Division of

Comparative Medicine, Uppsala University, Sweden, 31 Aug., 2007

VI. Papers in preparation

1. A Comparison of Changes in Morphology Induced by Vinblastine and

Docetaxel on the Olfactory Mucosa of Rabbits

2. Assessment of olfaction impairment following treatment of adult rabbits

with antimicrotubule drugs vinblastine or docetaxel

7. CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS & STUDY VISITS

1. Presented a lecture: Titled “Research in Neuroscience” during the Brain

Awareness Day at Chiromo campus, University of Nairobi, March 12, 2011

2. Certificate of participation: The 10th International Conference of the

Society of Neuroscientists of Africa (SONA) “Topics in Neuroscience:

Basic to Clinic” at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Feb 9-11, 2011

3. Certificate of participation: The 2nd International Conference on

Neuroinfection and World Impact and a joint ARC-WERK IBRO UNESCO

School of Neuroscience “Neurobiology of Infectious Diseases: a view for

Global Neuroscience” held at the University of St. Denis, Reunion Island,

Nov 26- Dec 7, 2010

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4. Certificate of merit: Position 1 in oral presentation at the 7th Faculty of

Veterinary Medicine Biennial Scientific Conference and Exhibition held at

College of Agriculture & Veterinary Sciences “One Health in a Changing

Environment“ Sept 8-10, 2010

5. Certificate of completion: A TEEAL-AGORA Regional Leaders course held

at International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Dec 1-4, 2009

6. Facilitated: A workshop on piloting curriculum on improving smallholder

poultry health and production in Africa held at the Agriculture Information

Centre, KARI Nairobi, April 27- May 8, 2009

7. Certificate of participation: Performance Enhancement Strategies Course

offered by Empowerment Resource Technologies Ltd and the University of

Nairobi, Jan 31, 2009

8. Certificate of participation: First Teaching tools and Workshop in

Neuroscience sponsored by IBRO held in Dakar University, Senegal, June

30- July 3, 2008

9. Certificate of participation: Workshop on Good Laboratory Practice held

at the College of Biological and Physical Sciences, University of Nairobi,

Oct 24-26, 2007

10. Qualifying certificate: Course in Laboratory Animal Science (Felasa- C)

taken during a study visit at Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala

University, April 14 – Aug 31, 2007 (Also did scanning and transmission

electron microscopy for my MSc project)

11. Certificates of attendance: 5th Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Biennial

Scientific Conference and Exhibition at the College of Agriculture and

Veterinary Sciences, University of Nairobi, Sep 6- 8, 2006

12. Certificate of participation: Electron Microscopy and Stereology

Workshop held at the Departments of Veterinary Anatomy and Pathology,

University of Nairobi, Sept 8-10, 2004

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8. TEACHING EXPERIENCE (AT UNIVERSITY LEVEL)

2004 - Present: I have been teaching students pursuing degrees in Veterinary

Medicine, Wildlife Management & Conservation, Agriculture, Food Science

& Technology, Biochemistry and Biomedical Technology and Diploma in

Animal Health & Production. I also teach Laboratory Animal Science to

resident and visiting trainees and give lectures during Brain Awareness

Campaigns/ meetings.

9. STUDENT SUPERVISION & EXAMINATION

2012, October 23: Examined MSc thesis for Mr. George Gicharu Mwangi,

School of Biological Sciences, University of Nairobi

2012, March 5 - May 25: Supervised and examined project work for Mr.

Kimemia S. Gachau, BSc Wildlife Management and Conservation student

attached at the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (Kenya) LTD,

Giraffe Centre.

2011, March 21- June 6: Supervised and examined project work for the

following BSc Wildlife Management and Conservation students attached at

the Nairobi National Museums

i. Vidonyi Hillary Mujumba

ii. Luvisia I. Doris

iii. Martha Chizi Ngala

2010, March 3 - July 14: Supervised and examined project work for the

following BSc Biomedical Technology students

i. Joyce Njoki Njuguna– attached at KEMRI, Nairobi

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ii. Sylvia Thiongo - attached at AMREF, Nairobi

10. POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY

2012- Present: Departmental representative: Faculty and College exhibitions

2012- Present: Departmental representative: Students’ educational field trips

2008- Present: Member: Faculty Committee in charge of Ethical use and Care

of experimental animals

2004- 2008: Class representative, MSc Veterinary Anatomy class

2002- 2004 : Teacher in-charge of School dairy farm, Mutitu Secondary Sch.

1999- 2001: Head: Science department, Masii S.D.A Secondary School

1992- 1998: Student leader: University of Nairobi Seventh Day Adventis group

1987- 1990: Treasurer: Science club, Mumbuni High School

1984- 1986: Leader of Young Farmers Club (YFC), Kyamithenge Primary School

11. GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED

ARC-WERK IBRO UNESCO: To participate in the 2nd International Conference

on Neuroinfection and Worldwide Impact (sponsored by IANIS) and a joint

ARC-WERK IBRO UNESCO School of Neuroscience on neurobiology of

infectious diseases at the University of St. Denis, Reunion Island (Nov 26-

Dec 7, 2010)

Society of Neuroscientists of Africa (SONA): To participate in the 10th

International Conference of the Society of Neuroscientists of Africa at

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (Feb 9-11, 2011)

International Brain Research Organization (IBRO): To participate in the First

Teaching tools and Workshop in Neuroscience held in Dakar University,

Senegal (June 30- July 3, 2008)

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Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA): Scholarship for a study

visit to the Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Sweden- took

a course in Laboratory Animal Science and electron microscopy work for my

MSc project.

University of Nairobi: To pursue MSc and PhD degrees in Veterinary Anatomy

at the University of Nairobi in 2005- 2008 and 2009-2012 respectively.

12. RESEARCH INTERESTS

 Morpho-functional studies of the smelling (olfactory) tissue in the nasal

cavities and brains of vertebrates

 Comparative evolutionary and behavioral aspects of vertebrate olfactory

systems

 Impact of microtubule-targeted drugs on the olfactory tissue.

13. HOBBIES

. Reading scientific literature

. Traveling and sports (including swimming, mountain climbing and soccer)

14. ASPIRATIONS FOR THE FUTURE

. To become a renown scholar in the field of neuroscience

. To provide, in my area of specialization, teaching and research services to

local and international institutions of higher learning.

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15. REFEREES

1. Prof. Stephen Gitai Kiama

Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology

University of Nairobi

P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi

Cell Phone : +254 722380971

E-mail: [email protected]

2. Prof. Jameela Hassanali,

Department of Human Anatomy

University of Nairobi

P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi

Cell phone: +254 733732731/ 716220409

E-mail: [email protected]

3. Prof. Dr Johanna Plendl

Institute of Anatomy,

Free University of Berlin

Koserstr. 20 14195, Berlin

Tel: +49 30 838 53482

Email: [email protected]

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