Josephine Marigu, Research Scientist

Location: KMFRI Mombasa

Department: Marine Fisheries (Natural Products and Post Harvest Technology)

Specialization: Microbiology, Aquatic Natural Products

Research Interests: Sustainable blue food systems research, Aquatic food safety and nutrition,  Marine Microbiology, Biotechnology and Bioprospecting

Email: marigujosephine@gmail.com / jmarigu@kmfri.go.ke 

Qualifications:

• Master of Science in Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management (Belgium)
• Bachelor of Science (Microbiology)
• Certificate in Project Planning and Management
• Certificate in Supervisory Skills Development
• Certificate in Environmental Impact Assessment & Environmental Audit
• Certificate in Research Design, Data Management and Analysis

Ms. Josephine Marigu Njeru is an early-career researcher working as a Research Scientist in the Natural Products and Post Harvest Technologies Research Programme at KMFRI. She focuses on undertaking marine natural products and post-harvest technologies research to create solutions that enhance sustainable aquatic food systems for improved food and nutritional security among coastal communities in Kenya and beyond.

She also participates in Marine Fisheries and Biological Oceanography research at the Institute as well as other multidisciplinary research activities.

Ms. Njeru holds a Master’s degree in Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management (Oceans and Lakes) from the Vrije Universiteit Brussles in Belgium, with a thesis on “Chasing the bacteria in the green alga Bryopsis plumosa.” Her studies were sponsored by the prestigious VLIR-UOS Scholarship awarded by the Flemish Interuniversity Council—University Development Co-operation. She has participated in hands-on training sessions aboard state-of-the-art research vessels including RV Dr. Fridtjof Nansen, RV Belgica, SA Aghullas II (https://www.kmfri.co.ke/index.php/about-us/13-news-and-events/166-receiving-the-button-the-next-generation-of-shemarine-scientists), RV Dayang Yihao (https://www.kmfri.co.ke/index.php/13-news-and-events/178-capacity-building-in-deep-sea-mineral-exploration) and Kenya’s RV Mtafiti where she gained sampling and analysis skills which she’s now applying to enhance the sustainable exploitation of the Blue Economy in Kenya.

Her international experience includes working at the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) Data Centre and the VLIZ Biological Laboratory in Oostende, Belgium, where she gained expertise in marine data management and hands-on experience in zooplankton sampling, sample processing using the ZooScan (imaging device), and analysis of zooplankton species diversity.

Ms. Njeru also supports the National Marine Spatial Planning Secretariat in Kenya and as a Junior Editor for the Kenya Aquatica Scientific Journal. She contributes towards the achievement of the Institute’s mandate through participation in different research activities within the Fisheries department geared towards marine bioprospecting, post-harvest loss mitigation, value addition and fisheries catch assessment.

In December 2024, Ms. Njeru participated in the Science-Policy Lab on Innovations for Sustainable Aquatic Food Systems in Cape Town, South Africa, which focused on sharing expertise on sustainable, inclusive, and accessible innovation in aquatic food systems. She has also received specialized training in bivalve mollusc sanitation at the FAO Reference Centre in the UK.

Ms. Njeru is a member of professional networks including the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) and the African Women in Science and Engineering (AWSE). She continues to build her expertise in blue food safety and nutritional assessment, marine microbiology, biotechnology, and bioprospecting to contribute to sustainable blue economy initiatives in Kenya and beyond.