I hold a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science and Technology from Egerton University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Research Methods from Pwani University in Kenya. I obtained a Master of Science in Bioinformatics from Pwani University where my thesis focused on assessing genetic variants associated with vitamin D status of two cohorts of children from Kenya and The Gambia using a genome-wide association study. After my studies, I started an Internship at the Pwani University Bioscience Research Centre where I studied the genetic diversity and population structure of cashew trees from the Kenyan coast. These experiences deepened my interest in population genetics, and I later joined the Schlötterer lab at Vienna Graduate School of Population Genetics. 

My project investigates endemicity in a Drosophila species known for its high genetic diversity. I will analyze genomic data from evolve-and-resequence experiments and phenotypic data from common-garden experiments across two novel laboratory environments to compare the adaptive responses of this island-endemic species with a cosmopolitan counterpart. The results will provide insight into why the endemic species’ geographical range remains limited despite its genetic variation.