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 Nairobi, 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 Kenya Veterinary Board and began private clinical practice in Machakos and Makueni Counties in Kenya. At the same time, I served as a teacher (Chemistry & Biology) in Masii S.D.A Secondary School in Machakos County. 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 Mutitu S.D.A Secondary School (Makueni County) 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
2 3
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
3 4
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
4 5
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
5 6
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
6 7
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
7 8
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)
8 9
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.
9 10
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]
10