Profile - DR REGINA KEMUNTO MAYAKA

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DR REGINA KEMUNTO MAYAKA

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Staff Information

PERSONAL DETAILS

Designation: LECTURER
Corporate Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Personal Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Job Category: Teaching
Phone Number: +254 723350949
Alternative Phone No.: +254 736246389
Division / Faculty: Faculty of Science
Directorate / Dept: DEPT. OF CHEMISTRY
Section: Academics
Address: 536-20115

SUMMARY

: Dr. Regina Kemunto Mayaka is a dedicated academic and Lecturer of Organic Chemistry at Egerton University’s Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science. She has an extensive educational background in Chemistry, having earned her Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees all from Egerton University, with a focus on Organic Chemistry. Recently, she has expanded her expertise by undertaking professional training on nanobiosensors for rapid diagnostic tools. This addition to her credentials underscores her commitment to continuous learning and application of cutting-edge technology in the field of chemistry.
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6148-493X
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=js-6eNwAAAAJ&hl=en

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

2020: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Organic Chemistry – Egerton University, Kenya

2007: Master of Science (Msc) degree in Chemistry – Egerton University, Kenya

2003: Bachelor of Science (Bsc) degree - Egerton University, Kenya

FIELDS OF SPECIALIZATION

Her areas of specialization include,

1. Natural Product Chemistry: Specializing in natural product chemistry. This involves the isolation, purification, and structure elucidation of secondary metabolites from plants and fungi.

2. Nanotechnology: In addition to natural product chemistry, she is involved developing nano-based diagnostic biosensors for detecting pathogens in water and food. Her research includes DNA extraction from target bacteria and utilizing sensing biomolecules immobilized on metal nanoparticles to detect analytes. She also explores the green synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles for water remediation.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Dr. Regina Kemunto Mayaka has a rich academic career at Egerton University, where she has been imparting knowledge in the field of Chemistry. Her work experience includes:

Lecturer, Egerton University (September 2014 - Present): As a Lecturer of Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Dr. Mayaka has been responsible for teaching and guiding students in the field of Chemistry. Her specialization in natural product chemistry has been instrumental in her role.

Assistant Lecturer, Egerton University (2011 - September 2014): Prior to her current role, she served as an Assistant Lecturer at Egerton University. During this period, she assisted in teaching and research activities in the Department of Chemistry.

KEY PROJECTS

: Title: Evaluation of compounds from Senna didymobotrya for potential antimicrobial properties-Ongoing, Funding body Royal society of Chemistry (RSC)

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Her research interests align with her academic expertise and ongoing professional development. The areas include,

Natural Product Chemistry: Specializing in this field, her research involves the isolation, purification, and analysis of compounds from plants and fungi. She utilizes spectroscopic equipment such as NMR, UV-Vis, and IR for structure elucidation of these compounds.

Following a recent professional training, she has developed a keen interest in Nano biosensors. Her research in this area focuses on the development and optimization of Nano biosensors for rapid diagnostic tools. This involves studying their design, function, and application in various fields such as healthcare and environmental monitoring.

As an educator, she is also interested in research related to pedagogical strategies for teaching chemistry, particularly Organic Chemistry. This involves investigating effective teaching methods, curriculum development, and student engagement in the chemistry classroom.

LIST OF PUBLICATIONS

1.Regina Kemunto Mayaka, Alice Wanjiku Njue, Moses Kiprotich Langat, Peter Kiplagat Cheplogoi1 and Josiah Ouma Omolo (2019): Antimicrobial compounds from the Kenyan Ganoderma adspersum (Schulz.) Donk species. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences. 13(7): 3390-3397. For more details click here.

2. Regina Kemunto Mayaka, Moses Kiprotich Langat, Alice Wanjiku NJUE, Peter Kiplagat Cheplogoi and Josiah Ouma Omolo (2019) Chemical compounds from the Kenyan polypore Trametes elegans (Spreng:Fr.) Fr (Polyporaceae) and their antimicrobial activity. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences. 13(4) 2352-2359. 8221-IJBCS. For more details click here.

3.evis K. Mokaya., Josiah O. Omolo., Regina K. Mayaka., Alice W. Njue., John O. Adongo and Joseph Matofari. Antimicrobial activity of the seed crude extracts of Triumfettarhomboidea (Tiliaceae). Science Journal of Microbiology (ISSN:2276-8572) For more details click here

4. Mayaka R. K., Langat M. K, Omolo J. O. and Cheplogoi P. K. (2012). Antimicrobial prenylated acetophenones from berries of Harrisonia abyssinica (Simaroubaceae). Planta Medica, 78: 383-389. For more details click here.

CONFERENCES & INVITED PRESENTATIONS

1. Oral presentation; ASABE 2023 ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL MEETING JULY 9-12, 2023, OMAHA NEBRASKA, USA. Title: A nano biosensor for the rapid detection of Bla_NDM-1 Gene. by Regina K. Mayaka and Evangelyn Alocilja

2. Virtual Oral presentation: Laikipia University International Conference 24^th May 2023 to Friday, 26^th May 2023 Laikipia Kenya; Title; A nano biosensor for the detection of emerging NDM-producers from Clinical isolates by Regina K. Mayaka and Evangelyn Alocilja

3.Poster presentation: Exploring Kenyan Biodiversity: Chemistry, Pharmacology, and commercialization Sep 10-14, 2017.

4. Poster presentation: The 15 th NAPRECA Natural Products and their Applications. (31 st Aug-3 rd Sept 2015) Venue: Palace Hotel, Arusha, Tanzania

TEACHING AREAS

She specializes in various areas of Chemistry. Her teaching areas include.

Physical Chemistry: This branch of chemistry deals with the study of the physical and chemical properties of matter and the changes it undergoes during chemical reactions.

Organic Chemistry: In this area, she teaches about the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation of carbon-containing compounds, which include not only hydrocarbons but also their derivatives.

Inorganic Chemistry: This involves the study of the properties and behaviors of inorganic compounds. This field covers all chemical compounds except the myriad organic compounds

POSTGRADUATE SUPERVISION

MASTERS LEVEL :: 1. Patrick Amani Katana, SM11/09070/20: Chemical investigation of antibacterial compounds from Senna didymobotrya medicinal plant of Kenya

OTHER SOCIETIES

She is a member of the following professional bodies:

1. Royal Society of Chemistry (MRSC): A member since 2018, with the membership number 657526.

2. Kenya Chemical Society: A member since 2011.

DR REGINA KEMUNTO MAYAKA

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