JKUAT Chemist Completes International Fellowship
Jackson Mutembei, an assistant lecturer in the Department of Chemistry at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), was among 10 researchers selected from around the world for the Indian Institute of Technology Indore (IIT Indore) Short-term Fellowship Programme for International PhD Students for the 2026/27 academic session. The fellowship provided Mutembei with an…
Jackson Mutembei gained hands-on exposure to advanced research equipment, including Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)
Jackson Mutembei, an assistant lecturer in the Department of Chemistry at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), was among 10 researchers selected from around the world for the Indian Institute of Technology Indore (IIT Indore) Short-term Fellowship Programme for International PhD Students for the 2026/27 academic session.
The fellowship provided Mutembei with an opportunity to strengthen his computational research skills and undertake part of his PhD research at the Department of Chemistry at IIT Indore from August 28 to September 30, 2026 under the guidance of Prof. Biswarup Pathak.
During the fellowship, Mutembei underwent intensive training in molecular docking and molecular simulation, computational techniques that help researchers predict how molecules interact and behave.
By providing insights into how molecules interact, these computational approaches can help scientists identify compounds that may be worth investigating further in the laboratory. This can support research into potential medicines and other substances derived from plants that may have useful effects in the body.
The training complements Mutembei’s PhD research at JKUAT, which focuses on evaluating plant extracts with compounds that may influence fertility and determining their potential for fertility control in Kenya.
According to Mutembei, working alongside researchers such as Prof. Pathak was one of the highlights of the fellowship. He said the experience exposed him to advanced computational approaches that combine chemistry, data analysis and artificial intelligence, broadening his understanding of how these tools can be applied to solve complex research problems.
“The computational approaches I acquired at IIT Indore will be useful in examining how compounds derived from plants may interact with biological targets. This will provide additional information that can help us identify compounds of interest, understand how they may work in the body and determine which ones should be prioritised for further laboratory testing,” said Mutembei.
The IIT Indore fellowship programme seeks to strengthen long-term research collaborations between IIT Indore and international universities while providing international PhD students with opportunities to engage in advanced research within faculty research groups. The programme also promotes the exchange of research ideas, technologies and expertise towards academic and research excellence.
Mutembei, who is based at JKUAT’s Sino-Africa Joint Research Center (SAJOREC), is optimistic that the knowledge gained through the fellowship will contribute to strengthening the University’s capacity in emerging computational approaches in chemistry.
He also hopes to share the knowledge and skills gained with other researchers and students through training workshops and conferences, while using the new expertise to expand international research networks and collaborations.
Jackson Mutembei (centre) receives a certificate of course completion from Mohib Rahim (right), Executive Officer of Academics and International Relations at the Indian Institute of Technology Indore (IIT Indore)