I am a data enthusiast with background in statistics, operations and project management. I have (6) six years of experience in data analysis, data management, monitoring and evaluation of systems and processes, providing system expertise, direction and training for teams as well as end users. I also develop and lead data analytics with input from different processes and businesses.

I have experience in corporate governance and hold special interest in operational risk management, specifically the exogeneous risks over which we have little or no control. I’m a trustee in the board of a provident fund, and serve as a board member in several committees.

I hold MSc (Statistical Sciences) and MA(PPM) from Strathmore and the University of Nairobi respectively.

Nicholas Outa is an accomplished expert in research capacity development with over a decade of experience training scientists across Africa in scientific communication and publication strategies. As a Research Capacity Advisor at TCC Africa since 2019, he has successfully trained more than 1,000 researchers from over 15 countries through hands-on workshops focused on scientific writing, journal selection, peer review processes, and grant proposal development. His training approach combines practical writing techniques with deep insights into research ethics and open access publishing, tailored to diverse audiences ranging from early-career researchers to senior faculty and NGO professionals.

An active researcher with over 60 peer-reviewed publications in fisheries and aquaculture (h-index: 16), Nicholas brings firsthand publication experience to his training programs. His work appears in respected journals, including Lakes and Reservoirs and Scientific African, demonstrating his ability to translate complex research into impactful science communication. This dual expertise as both practitioner and trainer enables him to provide uniquely valuable guidance on manuscript preparation and submission strategies.

Nicholas holds several key editorial positions that inform his training content, including his role as Academic Editor for PLOS ONE since 2021 and his leadership as Head of Submissions Moderation at AfricArXiv, where he implemented systems that increased daily submissions from 10 to over 50. His peer review experience across 10+ international journals further strengthens his ability to teach effective publication strategies.

Currently completing his PhD in Fisheries and Aquaculture at Maseno University, Nicholas holds an MSc in Limnology and Wetland Management from UNESCO-IHE/Egerton University and is a certified trainer in scientific communication through TCC Africa’s 2018 program.

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=P-mAhyUAAAAJ

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4085-0398

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-outa-01236846/

Twitter: @nichouta

Prof Cecilia Moraa Onyango is a senior lecturer with fourteen (17) years teaching experience in crop production under varying environmental conditions, postharvest handling and food safety having 17 publications in refereed Journals of which, I am lead author on 7 publications. I am involved in the management of agricultural R4D involving national; regional and international partners including extension services, NGOs, private sector participation and farmers. I have experience in strategic thinking and formulation of research projects and development strategies, project management and evaluation. I have been the Principal Investigator on four projects since completing my PhD in 2010 and in total involved in eight research projects with international partners. I have effective communication skills in articulating results to scientists and other audiences. Besides I have proven writing, presentation and facilitation skills.

I am currently serving and have served in various positions in the university committees that include; Departmental Curriculum Review committee, Faculty of Agriculture proposal development committee, Faculty focal point for common undergraduate courses, Departmental representative in the Faculty Time tabling committee, Chairman- Faculty of Agriculture Industrial attachment Committee and Coordinator-Mentorship program in the centre for Sustainable Dryland Ecosystems and Societies (CSDES) of the University of Nairobi.

Summary of Profile: PhD holder in Range Management from University of Wyoming, USA (1990); Master of Science (Range Management), Texas A&M University (1982); and Bachelor of Science (Agriculture), University of Nairobi. Conscientious and self-motivated individual with great enthusiasm and determination to excel. Hard working, reliable and resourceful person with excellent organizational and management skills, combined with ability to prioritize tasks.

Teaching Areas: Over 30 years teaching experience in a large university at undergraduate and postgraduate (Masters & Doctoral) level; designed and taught courses in research methods and communication; proposal-writing dry land resource management, livestock production, natural resource management; integrated dry land production systems (PhD) and ecology.

Research interest: mainly integrated agricultural and/or natural resource production/management systems, climate change and agricultural adaptation in dry lands. Principal, co-principal or investigator in many donor-funded research projects such as Making the Best of Climate: Adapting Agriculture to Climate Variability funded by Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA); Creating Wealth For Smallholder Farmers in Arid Areas of  Kenya: The Case of Mukau (Melia Volkensii) funded by Government of Kenya/European Union through the Kenya Agricultural Productivity Programme of Kenya; Foe or friend: Management and Utilization of Prosopis juliflora in Kenya, funded by Government of Kenya and European Union through the Kenya Agricultural Productivity Programme of Kenya.

Postgraduate Supervision: Has supervised over 30 Masters and PhD students

Selected Publications: over 40 papers in internationally refereed journals, plus a book chapter in Rangeland Resources in Eastern Africa: Their Ecology and Development. Dennis Herlocker (Editor), Published by GTZ, German Technical Cooperationbook chapter Nairobi 1999.
Collaboration/Linkages: has initiated and implemented over 15 collaborative partnerships and projects between the university and local, regional and international organizations. Currently forging one with the University of Cape Town, South Africa involving a regional research project titled: “Harnessing the benefits of agro-biodiversity for sustained food security in the context of climate variability and change” under the auspices of the Australia Africa Universities Network (AAUN).