Committee – scientific conference

Conference Secretariat

Welcome to the 2^nd Joint International Scientific Conference

On behalf of the Conference Secretariat, it is our great pleasure to welcome you to the 2nd Joint International Scientific Conference, scheduled to take place from 8th to 12th June 2026 at the National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya.

Building on the success of our inaugural conference in 2024, this year’s conference is themed “Harnessing Biodiversity and Cultural Heritage for Economic Transformation,” and it is intended to be a dynamic platform for scholars, practitioners, and innovators across disciplines from all over the globe.

With ten diverse sub-themes ranging from climate-smart agriculture to policy frameworks in heritage management, we are confident this conference will inspire meaningful dialogue, foster collaborations, and contribute significantly to regional and global development goals.

Our dedicated committee is working diligently to ensure a vibrant and enriching experience for all participants. We warmly invite you to join us in shaping the future of biodiversity and cultural heritage conservation.

Prof. Mary Gikungu

Director General National Museums of Kenya

Prof. Mary Gikungu

Director General National Museums of Kenya

An employee of National Museums of Kenya (NMK) where she serves as the Director General. She is a renowned Bee Specialist and a Conservation Biologist with wide experience in ecosystem services, climate change, environmental health and food security. Mary holds a PhD in Natural Science and Mathematics (University of Bonn, Germany), M.Sc. in Conservation Biology (University of Nairobi) and Bsc in Botany and Zoology (University of Nairobi). She has published over 50 papers in peer-reviewed journals and book chapters. Following her research expertise, she was a Lead Author (LA) in Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and a Member of Kibabii University Council. She has also served as a Mentor in African Women Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) program and Biodiversity Advisory Panel of Africa Oil Kenya. In addition, she is a member of Board of Kenya Institute of Primate Research (KIPRE), Member, Academic Committee of Pan African Christian University, Member, East African Science and Technology Regional Research Development Working Group. Member, Steering Committee of Presidential Taskforce on development of Human Home Origins Museum and Science Park in Turkana Basin. Her current research involves valorization of African Agriculture for inclusive green economy, environmental health, climate change and mitigation, ecosystem services and food security.

Dr. Namikoye Samita

Association of Kenyan Entomologists Chair

Dr. Namikoye Samita

Association of Kenyan Entomologists Chair

Dr. Samita is a Lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Science and Technology at Kenyatta University, specializing in Agricultural Entomology; Integrated pest and Vector management (fall armyworm, Locust, Maize lethal Necrosis Disease Vectors among others, Insect for feed and safe use and Management of Pesticide.

Prof. Qingfeng Wang

Director General Wuhan Botanical Garden

Prof. Qingfeng Wang

Director General Wuhan Botanical Garden

The Director General, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences. He holds a PhD from Wuhan University and has served as a Research Associate, Old Dominion University, USA and Visiting Professor in Duke University, USA. Prof. QINGFENG WANG is the Deputy Director, Systematic and Evolutionary Botany Professional Committee of the Botanical Society of China, Editor in Chief, Plant Science Journal and serves in the Editorial Board, Journal of Systematics and Evolution. His research interests are in Systematics and Evolution of Plants, Reproductive Strategies of Water Plants, Weed Control, Conservation Biology, Pollination Biology. He has authored more than 100 papers in international peer reviewed journals.

Prof. Esther Kioko

Chair Conference organizing committee, Chair finance sub-committee

Prof. Esther Kioko

Chair Conference organizing committee, Chair finance sub-committee

Prof. Kioko is a Principal Research Scientist in the Zoology Department at the National Museums of Kenya and an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Nairobi. She holds a PhD in Agricultural Entomology and is the recipient of the 2019 British Ecological Society’s Marsh Award for Ecologists in Africa.

Dr. Boniface Ngoka

Dr. Boniface Ngoka (Vice Chair AKE)

Dr. Boniface Ngoka

Dr. Boniface Ngoka (Vice Chair AKE)

Dr. Ngoka is a specialist in beneficial insects’ healthy research to enhance community livelihood and healthy environment. He has remarkable experience in implementing insect based programs promoting livelihoods and biodiversity conservation and assists in guiding conference’s vision, programs and proceedings development.

Prof. Xue Yan

Executive Director of Sino-Africa Joint Research Center (SAJOREC)

Prof. Xue Yan

Executive Director of Sino-Africa Joint Research Center (SAJOREC)

The Executive Director of Sino-Africa Joint Research Center (SAJOREC), CAS, headquartered in JKUAT, Kenya where he leads work on daily management and scientific cooperation. He holds a PhD from Wuhan University and did his Post-doctoral Research in Tsinghua University. Prof. Yan Xue acted as Visiting scholar in Cornell University, USA and is now full professor in Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences. His major research interests include water environment monitor and water resources utilization; Sustainable restoration of deteriorated ecosystem. He has authored more than 70 papers in international peer reviewed journals.

Ms. Grace Kioko

Committee Secretary, Co-chair logistics

Ms. Grace Kioko

Committee Secretary, Co-chair logistics

Ms. Kioko holds a Msc in Ecology from the University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, China. She is passionate about conservation and is currently the arachnid curator at the NMK with an in-depth knowledge in the ecology and taxonomy of spiders and other arachnids. She has over 10 publications including peer reviewed articles and books

Dr. Philista Malaki

Chair Editorial sub-committee

Dr. Philista Malaki

Chair Editorial sub-committee

Dr. Malaki a senior research scientist from NMK, is an ornithologist. She is involved in editorial work of the conference proceedings and journal special issue for the conference and coordinating peer review processes to ensure high-quality publications.

Dr. Paul Muigai Kirika

Chair Logistics sub-committee

Dr. Paul Muigai Kirika

Chair Logistics sub-committee

Senior Research Scientist, National Museums of Kenya (NMK), Chair, Science and Ethics Committee NMK, current head of botany at NMK. Specialized in plant and fungal taxonomy with interest in biodiversity conservation. Has special focus in lichens studies including their systematics, phylogeny, biogeography and evolution. Has contributed to publications of over 50 scientific articles including books.

Dr. Jane Macharia

Chair Communications sub-committee

Dr. Jane Macharia

Chair Communications sub-committee

Dr. Macharia, is Senior Research Scientist. She is a Wetlands Ecologist specializing in developing indicators for wetlands health and quality, and passionate in communities’ environmental conservation education and awareness.

Dr. Beryl Bwong

Vice chair Editorial sub-committee, Chair conference trainings

Dr. Beryl Bwong

Vice chair Editorial sub-committee, Chair conference trainings

Dr. Bwong, is a Senior research scientist, and Herpetologist focusing on the study of amphibians and reptiles. She has a keen interest in amphibian taxonomy ecology and conservation.

Mr. Eric Muthama

Vice chair Communications sub-committee

Mr. Eric Muthama

Vice chair Communications sub-committee

Mr Eric Muthama, the programs coordinator (AKE), has an MSc in Crop Protection and is currently a postgraduate student at the University of Cambridge, He is passionate about integrating science and sustainable agriculture to enhance crop yield and biodiversity. His interests extend to Chemical Ecology, Conservation, Agronomy, Entomology, IPM, Metabolomics, Agroecology, policy and research, and climate-smart agricultural practices for improved yield, climate resilience and adaptation.

Conference Secretariat

Welcome to the 2nd Joint International Scientific Conference

Welcome to the 2^nd Joint International Scientific Conference