BIOGRAPHY

Prof. Z. Ngalo Otieno-Ayayo is an Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at the School of Science, Technology and Engineering, and Coordinator for Rongo University Annex. He is immediate past treasurer of the African Association of Insect Scientists (AAIS). Prof. Ngalo holds a PhD in Life Sciences from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU), Israel. He has a wide range of experience in Integrated Pests and Vector Management, which he has practiced in Africa and outside Africa. His research interests are in the use of biopesticides for pests and vector control, with special attention to native and recombinant Bacillus thuringiensis entomocidal proteins. He has had an opportunity to participate in the German Mosquito Control Association’s aerial- and hand-, spraying of Bti in the swamps of Waldsee (Germany) and in the meadows of Wroslaw (Poland) respectively. Currently, Prof. Ngalo is leading a team developing the Apiculture industry for Research, Training and Business at Rongo University. The business component is expected to diffuse into the neighbouring communities and emerge into cottage industries that feed the mother industry at RU. Prof. Ngalo is the chairman of Migori County Beekeepers Association. He is actively engaged in promoting the beekeeping value chain in Migori County.

Prof. Ngalo previously worked at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology in various capacities (between 1985 and 2000) before embarking on lecturing at Solusi University in Zimbabwe (2000-2005) and the University of Eastern Africa, Baraton (2008-2014). He was an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Research Fellow at BGU in 1989-90, where he worked on radioisotopes for studying the interactions of Bti toxin proteins and fate of the ẟ-endotoxin in the mosquito gut.

 Representative Publications

Makinia, W.E., Ojunga, M. and Otieno-Ayayo, Z.N. (2020). Efficacy of Securidaca longipedunculata Fresen (Polygalaceae) against two standard isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. International Journal of Biochemistry Research & Review, 29(6), 61-68

Gichuhi, A.W., Kamau, S.M., Nyangena, E. & Otieno-Ayayo, Z.N. (2015). Health care workers’ adherence to infection prevention practices and control measures: A case of a level four district hospital in Kenya. American Journal of Nursing Science, 4(2), 39-44. doi: 10.11648/j.ajns.20150402.13

Yugi, J.O, Otieno-Ayayo, Z.N., Ochanda, H. & Mukabana, W.R. (2014). The silver cyprinid Rastrineobola argentea as the main diet source for rearing Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes, Journal of Mosquito Research, 4(17),1-6. doi:10.5376/jmr.2014.04.0017

Opondo B., Oluoch, E.O., Anjejo, D., and Otieno-Ayayo, Z.N. (2014). Efficacy, Efficiency and Impact of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets Utilization and In Door Residual Spraying: A Survey of Rural Kaptumo Location, Nandi County, Kenya. Baraton Interdisciplinary Reseach Journal 4, 35-51

Chihava – Shoko, M., Sibanda, N., Sibanda, M.M. & Otieno-Ayayo, Z. N. (2012). Factors contibuting to bacterial diversity and load in Bulawayo restaurants, Zimbabwe. In Press, Baraton Interdisciplinary Research Journal. 2(2), 7-19

Otieno-Ayayo, Z.N., Ben-Dov, E.,  Cahan, R. , Manasherob, R.  & Zaritsky, A. (2012). Response of three mosquito species to recombinant bacterial toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis expressed in two model systems, Baraton Interdisplinary Research Journal 2(1), 17 -32.

Seroney, G.C., Minnie, K., Otieno-Ayayo, Z.N., Mulaudzi, F.M., & Nyangena, E. (2012). Knowledge, attitudes and practices of trained traditional birth attendants on HIV/AIDS, Kenya, Baraton Interdisplinary Research Journal 2(1), 8 – 16.

Otieno-Ayayo, Z.N., Zaritsky, A., Wirth, M.C., Manasherob, R., Khasdan, V., Cahan, R. & Ben-Dov, E. (2008). Variations in the mosquito larvicidal activities of toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis. Environmental Microbiology 10(9), 2191-2199

Otieno-Ayayo, Z.N., Overholt, W.A. & Jeske, R. (2003). Natural enemies of cereal stem borers: Cotesia flavipes Cameron as a model indicator organism. In Hoorweg, J and Muthiga, N. eds. Recent Advances in Coastal Ecology, Studies from Kenya, pp.396+xvi. ISBN 90.5448.054.8. African Studies Centre, Leiden, Nl.

Manasherob, R; Otieno-Ayayo, Z.N., Ben-Dov, E., Miaskovsky, R., Boussiba, S. & Zaritsky, A. (2003). Enduring toxicity of transgenic Anabaena PCC 7120 expressing mosquito larvicidal genes from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis. Environmental Microbiology 5(10), 997-1001.

Otieno-Ayayo, Z.N., Saxena, R.C., & Okeyo-Owuor, J.B. (2001). Relative safety of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) extracts to Cheilomenes lunata (Coleoptera: Coccinelidae) in the okra micro-ecosystem. Solusi University Research Journal 2, 31-41.

Otieno-Ayayo, Z.N., Chipman, D.M; Zaritsky, A. & Khawaled, K. (1993) “Integrity of 130 kDa polypeptide of Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis δ-endotoxin in K-S defined (sporulation) medium.” International Journal of Tropical Insect Science. 14(3), 377-381. http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=7463204