Catherine Wambui Kamau

Working in the Bonares project INPLAMINT which aims to increase agricultural nutrient-use efficiency by optimizing plant-soil-microorganism interactions. Focusing on investigating the influence of organic amendments, crop rotation, drought stress and coal mining recultivation on the plant-microbe interactions in the rhizosphere of important cereals.

Duties: - microarray- based transcriptome analysis: sample preparation, hybridization, data collection and result analysis - isolation, purification and quality control of nucleic acids - genotyping by PCR - organisation of mouse breeding (transformation, mating and marking of mice, input of breeding in database) - organ withdrawal, blood withdrawal, body composition and weight measurements - laboratory organization (ordering, supply, laboratory safety). - production of libraries for Next-Gen Sequencing

Evaluated genetic diversity of various Adansonia spp. populations in the Kenya/Tanzania transect using microsatellites. • Microsatellite allele scoring & analysis • Phylogenetic analysis • Preparation of samples for Ion Torrent next-gen sequencing • Generation of libraries using the Ion Chef system . Preparation of reagents and buffer solutions • DNA isolation, quantification & analysis • Gel Electrophoresis • Primer selection and optimization • PCR amplification • Performed other duties as requested

Duties: - Reviewed grant applications submitted by innovators, women scientists, masters and PhD students. - Organized and verified grant applications. - Involved in selection process for those awarded grants.

• Quality assurance training. • Analytical principles training. • Analytical control for; Raw materials in process and final product. • Exposure to brewing, effluent system, distillation and packaging processes. • Training within UDV spirit line and microbiology stations. • Exposure to warehousing and other utilities within the EABL facility. • Performing other duties as requested.