Assistant Research Scientist Kegati Aquaculture Centre Aquaculture & Fisheries Fish Nutrition • Fish Breeding • Cage Aquaculture • Fish Health Email: mchepkirui444@gmail.com Location Kegati Aquaculture Centre Years of Experience 2021-present Research Interests Fish Nutrition; Fish production and breeding; Cage and inland aquaculture; Fish Health Management; Indigenous fish species conservation; Climate smart aquaculture technologies | Research Focus: Advancing sustainable fish farming practices, fish breeding, nutrition, and the conservation of indigenous species, contributing significantly to the development of resilient and sustainable aquaculture systems. Mercy Chepkirui is a Research Scientist in the Aquaculture Division at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI). She holds an MSc in Fisheries Management and a BSc in Applied Aquatic Science from Kisii and Egerton University respectively. As a dedicated Research Scientist with six years of experience, her expertise integrates advancing sustainable fish farming practices, fish breeding, nutrition, and the conservation of indigenous species, contributing significantly to the development of resilient and sustainable aquaculture systems. Throughout her career, she has authored 21 peer-reviewed publications in reputable scientific journals, developed research proposals, supervised students, and established collaborations with several universities and private sectors in Kenya. Further, she has also collaborated with various institutions and organizations, including the African Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF), United States African Development Foundation (USADF), Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (MEDA), and Conservation International (CI), engaging in diverse aquaculture research and community initiatives. In addition to research activities, she serves as a resource person for capacity building and training programs aimed at fish farmers, hatchery managers, processors, students, and extension officers which covers critical areas such as sustainable fish farming practices, post-harvest loss reduction, water quality monitoring, seed production, fish health management, innovation, and climate-smart technologies in aquaculture. Research & Administrative Responsibility - ▹ Head of Department (HOD) – Research
- ▹ Principal Assistant to the Centre Director, Kegati Aquaculture Centre
Research Interest / Areas of Expertise - ▹ Fish Nutrition
- ▹ Fish production and breeding
- ▹ Cage and inland aquaculture
- ▹ Fish Health Management
- ▹ Indigenous fish species conservation
- ▹ Climate smart aquaculture technologies
Academic Qualifications - ▹ MSc in Fisheries Management – Kisii University, 2021
- ▹ BSc in Applied Aquatic Sciences – Egerton University, 2017
Professional Membership - ▹ Aquaculture Society of Kenya (AAK) – Member
- ▹ World Aquaculture Society (WAS) – Member
- ▹ British Ecological Society (BES) – Member
Professional Services - ▹ Editorial Member – Aquaculture and Fisheries Journal
Selected Publications The Fish Feed Sector in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda: Current Status, Challenges, and Strategies for Improvement—A Comprehensive Review. Aquaculture Nutrition, (2024). https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/8484451Comparative Study on Fatty Acids Composition of Lemna minor (Duckweed) Cultured in Indoor Plastic Tanks and Outdoor Earthen Ponds. Hindawi Aquaculture Research (2024). https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/5563513Fatty acids composition of Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings fed diets containing different levels of water spinach ( Ipomoea aquatica). Journal of Agriculture and Food Research. 5 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2021.100156 Links |
