Senior Lecturer; School of Science, Engineering & Health; Teaching medical sciences including immunology and medical parasitology
Biography
I am a senior lecturer at Daystar University (Kenya), in the School of Science & Health and currently I am the HOD in the department of Science & Engineering. I graduated with a PhD in Medical Parasitology from the School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Kenyatta University (Kenya), in December 2013. I have been a principal investigator in several research projects including: Efficacy of selected herbal extracts on cutaneous leishmaniasis; Relationship of prevalence of parasitic infections with peoples’ lifestyles and practices in rural areas of Kenya; and analysis of heavy metals in industrial waste water. I plan to carry out more research particularly on the correlation between nutritional practices and the spread of parasitic infections in rural Kenya. So far, I have published 15 papers in peer reviewed journals since 2010. I am involved in developing new academic programs in Daystar university. Currently I am developing a curriculum in Masters in Public Health (MPH). I have served as an external examiner for masters and doctoral theses in the University of Eldoret, department of Biological Sciences. I have been reviewing manuscripts for several journals and also served in the Daystar Research Committee that reviews the research proposals for the award of funds. I am a committed Christian who loves mentoring the youth and serving in my local church.
Academic Qualifications
Kenyatta University; Main Campus, School of Medicine; Department of Pathology, 2010 - 13 PhD degree in Medical Parasitology. Project title: ‘The efficacy of crude extracts of Allium sativum, Callistemon citrinus and Moringa stenopetala of Kenya against Leishmania major’.
Moi University, Chepkoilel Campus, Zoology Department, P.O. Box 1125, Eldoret. 1995 - 97 Master of Philosophy (Mphil) degree in Medical Parasitology; Project tittle: Characterization of Leishmania-like isolates from rodents, lizards and sandflies from Masinga, Machakos District, Kenya’
Kenyatta University, Main Campus, P.O. Box 43844, Nairobi. 1985- 88 B.Ed (Science) degree: Education, Botany, Zoology; Upper Second Class Honors.
Publications (15 Publications)
Journals
Geoffrey K. Kinuthia, Ngure, NV, Kamau L, Beti D, Lugalia R, Wangila A, Ngari WF, Mburu WF & Kiarie WM. (2017). Survey of urban mosquito species (Diptera: Culicidae) with focus on waste water channels as larval habitats in Nairobi industrial area, Kenya. African Journal of Health Sciences, 30 (2): 120 – 138.
Ndeti CM, Kituyi C, Ndirangu M, Ingonga J, Chimbevo ML, Ochieng JO, Barasa M, Kinuthia G, Maina EM, Nyambati VCS &Anjili CO (2016). Efficacy of combination therapy using extracts of Aloe secundiflora Eng L and Callistemon citrinus William C. in Leishmania major infected BALB/c mice.East African Medical Journal, 93 (3): 127 – 134.
Veronica Ngure, Noah Sitati, Silvanus Shisia, and Geoffrey Kinuthia (2015). Assessment of heavy metals pollution in urban soils and the implications to consumers’ health. Journal of Natural Sciences Research, 5 (17): 75 – 85; ISSN 2224-3186 (Paper); ISSN 2225-0921 (Online).
Ngure PK, Kasili S, Anjili CO, Karanja RM, Kaburi J, Mwangi M, Kinuthia G, Kiarie M, Nzau A, Kepha S, Maniania NK, Ndegwa PN, Irungu L & Ngumbi MP (2015). Effects of Metarhizium anisopliae on sand fly populations in their natural habitats in Kenya. African Journal of Health Sciences, 28 (5): 398 - 407.
Kinuthia K. Geoffrey, Anjili O. Christopher, Kabiru W. Ephantus, Kigondu M. Elizabeth, Ingonga M. Johnny &Gikonyo K. Nicholas. (2015). Toxicity and efficacy of aqueous crude extracts from Allium sativum, Callistemon citrinus and Moringa stenopetala against L. Major. Kabarak Journal of Research & Innovation3 (1): 9 – 20, ISSN 2305-784X
Kinuthia, GK., Kabiru, EW., Gikonyo, NK., Ingonga, JM., Kigondu, EM & Anjili, CO. (2014). In vitro activity of aqueous and methanol extracts of Callistemon citrinus (Family Mrytaceae) against Leishmania major. African Journal of Health Sciences (Afr J Health Sci),27(2): 118 – 133
Geoffrey K Kinuthia, Ephantus W. Kabiru, Christopher O. Anjili, Elizabeth M. Kigondu, Veronica N. Ngure, Johnstone M. Ingonga, and Nicholas K. Gikonyo. (2014). Efficacy of crude methanolic extracts of Allium sativum L. and Moringa stenopetala (Baker F.) Cufod. against Leishmania major. International Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, 4 (1): 16 – 25.
V. Ngure, T. Davies, G. Kinuthia, N. Sitati, S. Shisia and Oyoo-Okoth (2014). Concentration levels of potentially harmful elements from gold mining in Lake Victoria region, Kenya: environmental and health implications. Journal of Geochemical Explorations. doi.org/10.1016/j.explo.2014.04.004.
Geoffrey K. Kinuthia, Christopher O. Anjili, Nicholas K. Gikonyo, Elizabeth M. Kigondu, Johnstone M. Ingonga, &Ephantus W. Kabiru. (2013). In vitro and in vivo activities of blends of crude aqueous extracts from Allium sativum L, Callistemon citrinus(Curtis) Skeels and Moringa stenopetala (Baker F) Cufodontis against Leishmania major. International Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants; 3(2): 234 – 246.
Veronica Ngure, Noah Sitati, Silvanus Shisia, Gelas Simiyu, Geoffrey Kinuthia, and Festus Kelonye. (2013). Health Implications of heavy metals in soil, scalp hair and selected food crops within Eldoret Municipality, Kenya. IOSR Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology (IOSR - JESTFT), e-ISSN: 2319 – 2402, p-ISSN: 2319 - 2399; 7(3): 47 – 55.
Kinuthia, GK., Afolayan, FID., Ngure, V. &Anjili, CO. (2012). Selected practices among rural residents versus the prevalence of Amoebiasis and Giardiasis in Njoro District, Kenya. African Journal of Health Sciences; 20 (1 – 2): p 10 – 20.
GK Kinuthia., MM Gicheru., PK Ngure. & EW Kabiru. (2012). Lifestyles and Practices that enhance Malaria and Typhoid Fever in Njoro District, Kenya. Journal of Community Health; 37(1): 224 – 233; doi 10.1007/s10900- 011-9440-0.
Ngure Veronica, Simiyu Gelas, Sitati Noah, Kinuthia Geoffrey, & Shisia Silvanus. (2011). Monitoring exposure to heavy metals through maize consumption using human hair among adults in Eldoret Municipality, Kenya. Journal of Technology & Socio-economic Development; 1(1): 118 – 125.
Kinuthia, GK., Lugalia, RM., Mwanyumba, PJ., Ngeiywa, MM., Wishitemi, BL., Tonui, WK. & Anjili, CO. (2011). Characterization and Comparison of leishmania-like isolates from rodents, lizards and sand flies caught at Masinga location in Machakos District, Kenya. African Journal of Health Sciences; 18(1-2): 6 – 13.
Geoffrey K. Kinuthia., Martha W. Kiarie-Makara., Michael M. Gicheru., Ephantus W. Kabiru& Dong-Kyu Lee. (2010). Relationship between control of parasitic infections and poverty levels: A case Study of Njoro District, Kenya. Kosin Journal of Health Sciences; 20: 77 – 95.
Conferences
Attended the Daystar University Chancellor’s Forum & Conference on ‘Diabetes – The Silent Killer’on 21st June, 2019 at DAC Auditorium, Daystar University, Nairobi Campus.
Attended the 11th Annual Neglected Diseases Conference jointly hosted by MOH and KEMRI on 6th to 7th December, 2017 at Sarova Panafric Hotel at Nairobi;
A Poster on ‘Mosquito Diversity in the Nairobi-Keya urban environment and implication for diseases transmission by Geoffrey K. Kinuthia et al., 2017 was accepted and displayed at the Kolymbari 2017 Mosquito meeting’, Greece by Dr. Luna Kamau, one of the co-researcher and a coauthor of the project and paper respectively;
Presented a reviewed conference paper entitled ‘Toxicity and Efficacy of aqueous crude extracts from Allium sativum, Callistemon citrinus and Moringa stenopetala against L. major at 4th Annual International Conference, 18th July, 2014 at Kabarak University;
Presentation of a paper entitled ‘Efficacy of crude extracts from Allium sativum, Callistemon citrinus and Moringa stenopetala of Kenya against leishmania major’ during the 27th Postgraduate Seminar for PhD graduands. Theme: Supporting Devolved Government Systems in Kenya through Research. Friday, 6th December, 2013 at Kenyatta University;
Attended a public lecture on Cancer Research and Orthopedic Surgery by Prof Oddman Johansen. April 14, 2011 at Kenyatta University;
Attended and wrote a report on the Conference on ‘The Role of a Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) and Pairing Scheme between Parliamentarians and Scientists in East Africa. June 29th to 30th, 2007 at Sarova Panafric in Nairobi, Kenya;
Participated in the Mainstreaming of HIV and AIDS into the University Curriculum on 23rd to 24th October, 2006 at Daystar University, Kenya;
Attended the 2nd International Conference on God & Creation: Mobilizing the Faithful to Celebrate and Care for God’s Creation on 8th to 11th March, 2006 at Brackenhurst Center, Tigoni, Kenya.
Research Interests
Research Interests;
Efficacy of herbal extracts on leishmaniases;
Community health in relation to hygienic practices and economic status in rural areas;
Urban mosquitoes and the health implication;
Levels of heavy metals in open waste water channels in Nairobi industrial areas.
Current Research project:
1. 2016 to date - Determination of heavy metals and other potentially harmful elements (PHEs) in waste water channels in Nairobi industrial area in Kenya using mosquito larvae as bio-indicators.
Research skills & other research-related experiences
Growing Leishmania parasites in Schneider’s Drosophila medium under sterile conditions;
Isoenzyme analysis of Leishmania using cellulose acetate electrophoresis technique;
Infectivity studies of Leishmania in experimental sand flies;
Infectivity studies of Leishmania in experimental inbred BALB/c and Swiss albino mice;
Trapping of sand flies using CDC light traps from termite mounds and aspirating them from the traps;
Trapping mosquitoes using CDC light traps and cryopreserving them in liquid nitrogen;
Identifying mosquito adults, larvae and pupal stages morphologically under a microscope;
Carrying out a social science research in a rural set up using questionnaires and interview schedules;
Analysis of research data using SPSS Version 17.0 and presentation of the findings using power-point;
Writing scientific based research proposals that attract research funds;
Writing papers for publication in local and international journals with high impact factors;
Reviewing research proposals for funding at the Department of Research & Consultancy, Daystar University;
External examiner for Masters and PhD theses from other universities.
Teaches
Undergraduate classes including: Biomedical science students – immunology and medical parasitology; Environmental Health students – Water quality, sanitation and health; Solid wastes management; Medical parasitology.
