Dr. Peter G. Kirira

Dr. Peter G. Kirira

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Email: pkirira@mku.ac.ke

Dr. Peter G. Kirira is a Pharmaceutical Chemist and holds a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Nagakaki University, Japan. His research interest is in drug research with a focus on malaria and cancer.  As the  Principal College of Graduate Studies and Research at Mount Kenya University, Dr. Kirira He is charged with the responsibility of coordinating and oversighting the running of three directorates under him i.e. Graduate Studies, Research & Innovation and Directorate of Grants & Development. Prior to this posting, Dr. Kirira held other positions at the University including serving as a Director, Foundation & Endowments (2 years) and as a Deputy Director, Research & Innovation (4 years). Over the years, Dr. Kirira has published over 30 peer reviewed publications, holds three patents, and has won over 10 individual and consortium grants. In addition, Dr. Kirira has successively supervised several postgraduate students. He is a reviewer with journals as well as with notable academic and government institutions in Kenya. Dr. Kirira honed his research skills at Kyoto University, Japan as a Postdoc in Kenji Maruoka Sensei’s lab as well as at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) where he served as a Senior Research Scientist for ten (10) years.

A. Education

  1. Name of Institution: Kyoto University, Japan
    a.Field of Study: Synthetic Chemistry
    b. Degree: Post Doctorate Training
    c. Completion Date: March 2012
  2. Name of Institution: Nagasaki University, Japan
    a.Field of Study: Pharmaceutical Sciences
    b. Degree: PhD
    c. Completion
    Date: September 2010
  3. Name of Institution: Kenyatta University
    a. Field of Study: Organic Chemistry: Natural Products
    b. Degree: MSc.

B. Professional Experience

  1. Designation/Position: Principal, College of Graduate Studies & Research and Senior Lecturer, Department of Physical Sciences
  2.  Designation/Position: Director, Mount Kenya University Foundation & Senior Lecturer, Department of Physical Sciences
  3. Designation/Position: Senior Lecturer, Department of Physical Sciences & Deputy Director, Research and Development
  4.  Designation/Position: Senior Research Officer, Chemical Sciences Unit, Centre for Traditional Medicine & Drug Research

C. Student Supervision & Research Grants

i) Postgraduate Student Supervision: Completed Master of Science Degrees

  1.  Name: Ms. Anne Nyakio Nyamakima, MSc, Kenyatta University. Title: Synthesis and antimalarial evaluation of quinoline-trioxane and quinoline-chemosensitizer hybrid drugs. Graduated in 2015, Kenyatta University.
  2. Name: Mr. Jean Baptiste Niyibizi, MSc, Pan African University for Basic Sciences Technology and Innovation
    Title: Chemical synthesis, efficacy and safety of antimalarial hybrid drug comprising of sarcosine and aniline pharmacophores as scaffolds. Graduated in 2017
  3.  Name: Ms. Brenda Waithera Wamae, MSc, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology. Title: Investigation of the in vitro antioxidant activity, in vivo antidiabetic efficacy and safety of Capparis tomentosa roots aqueous extracts. Graduated in 2017
  4.  Name: Ms. Dorothy Kedesani Moga, JKUAT/ITROMID. Title: An investigation of biological activity of plant therapeutics in vitro against. cervical and prostate cancer cells. Graduated in 2018
  5.  Name: Ms. Anne Muhuha, Mount Kenya University. Title: Antimicrobial activity of moringa oleifera, aleo vera and warbugia ugandensis on multidrug resistant escherichia coli, pseudomonas aeruginosa and staphylococcus aureus. Graduated in 2018
  6.  Name: Mr. Christopher Odhiambo Onyango, JKUAT. Title: Evaluation of Efficacy and Pharmacokinetic Profile of a Novel Trioxaquine in Management of Cerebral Malaria in Mice. Graduated in 2018
  7.  Name: Ms. Fiona Oyatsi, JKUAT/ITROMID. Title: Synthesis of novel hybrid molecules for malaria control. Graduated in 2018
  8.  Name: Ms. Judith Nagbwogu, Pan African University for Basic Sciences Technology and Innovation. Title: Azadirachta indica (NEEM) bark extract mediated formulation of stabilized silver nanoparticles: In vivo antitumor activity and gene expression studies. Graduated in 2018

Completed PhD Degree

  1.  Name: Mr. Peter Karanja, MSc, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology. Title: Antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities of Kenyan Cape Gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.). To graduate in October, 2020

ii) Grant & awards – 2016 to date:

  1.   Donor: DAAD & GIZ, (a consortium grant), Amount; 650,000 EURO, Date Oct. 2018-Sept. 2021; Project summary: Collaboration for Entrepreneurial Universities (CEPU). Role: Lead Investigator from Mount Kenya University
  2. Donor: European Commission Erasmus+, (a consortium grant), Amount; 43,953 EURO, Date Feb 2018-Oct. 2020; Project summary: African Higher Education Leadership in Advancing Inclusive Innovation for Development (AHEAD). Role: Lead Investigator from Mount Kenya University
  3. Donor: Mount Kenya University, Amount; 100,000 USD, Date Nov 2017-Oct. 2019; Project summary: Joint Health Research Grant between Makerere University College of Health Sciences and Mount Kenya University. Role: Principal Investigator from Mount Kenya University
  4. Donor: University of Bath (Sub-grant), Amount; 5,200 USD, Date 2017; Project summary: Safe Drugs for Developing Countries (SDDC). Principal Investigator
  5. Donor: Templeton World Charity Foundation (TWCF), Amount; 862,311 USD, Date 2016-2018; Project summary: Kenya Christian and Scientific Affiliation (KCSA): Facilitating Synergetic Interactions between Science and Christian Faith. Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  6.  Donor: Association of African Universities, Amount; 2,000 USD, Date 2016; Project summary: Small grants for thesis and dissertation awarded to Ms. Fiona Oyatsi for the thesis “Synthesis of Novel Hybrid Molecules for Management of Plasmodium falciparum”. Role: Supervisor

D. PATENTS

  1.  Title of invention: Synthesis of N-(2-(7-chloroquinolin-4-yl)amino)ethyl)-4-(dipropylsulfamoyl)benzamideDate filed: 30/11/2017. Patent no. KE/P/2017/2759. Inventors: Dr. Peter G. Kirira, Dr. Joseph K. Ng’ang’a, Ms. Fiona Oyatsi, Dr. Jeremiah Gathirwa and Prof. Francis Muregi. Role: Main inventor of the synthetic protocol.Country of protection: Kenya
  2. Title of invention: Synthesis and antimalarial hybrid composition comprising of sarcosine and aniline pharmacophores as scaffolds. Date filed: 22/05/2017. Patent no. KE/P/2017/2665. Inventors: Dr. Peter G. Kirira, Dr. Joseph K. Ng’ang’a, Mr. Jean B. Niyibizi, and Dr. Francis Kimani. Role: Main inventor of the synthetic protocol. Country of protection: Kenya
  3. Title of invention: Artesunate-3-chloro-4-(4-chlorophenoxy)aniline antimalarial hybrid drug. Date filed: 22/05/2017. Patent no. KE/P/2017/2667. Inventors: Dr. Peter G. Kirira, Dr. Joseph K. Ng’ang’a, Ms. Milka Wambui, Mr. Joseph Njoka, Prof. Daniel Kariuki, Dr, Johnson Kinyua and and Dr. Francis Muregi. Role: Main inventor of the synthetic protocol.

E. Recent/selected publications (10 recent publications)

  1. PK Kamau, FM Njeruh, PG Kirira..  International Journal of Traditional and Natural Medicines. 2020. 10 (1), 1-12
  2.  Niyibizi, J.B.; Kirira, P.G.; Kimani, F.T.; Oyatsi, F.; Ng’ang’a, J.K.. Preprints. 2019, 2019110104
  3.  Phelista W. Njeru, Peter G. Kirira, Mary Wang’ang’a, Ashley Waudo. International Journal of Economics, Commerce & Management. 2019. 7(12): 369-389.
  4.  EVM Kigondu, W Njuguna, P Ndemwa, S Mwangi, PG Kirira, F Tolo.  African Journal of Health Sciences, 2019, 32(2): 64-71.
  5.  PG Mwitari, NC Mutuku, L Keter, J Gathirwa, F Kimani, P Kirira, S Wachira. Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medical Research, 2018.  1-11.
  6. PG Kirira, C Cheren, L Ndegwa, A Waudo.. Archives of Clinical and Medical Case Reports. 2018. 2 (4), 113-123.
  7. PM Kimani, PG Mwitari, S Mwenda Njagi, P. Gakio Kirira, DM Kiboi. Journal of Cancer Science & Therapy. 2018. 10 (9)
  8. Wamakima H, Kirira PG, Ng’ang’a MM, Gimode WR, Naicker B, Tukulula M, Muregi FW. Eur. J. Pharma. Med. Res. 2018. 5: 26-34.
  9. Mwitari PG, Mutuku NC, Keter L, Gathirwa J, Kimani F, Kirira P, Wachira S. J. Comp. Alt. Med. Res. 2018. 5:1-11.
  10. Oyatsi FM, Ng’ang’a JK, Gathirwa JW, Kirira PG. Int. J. Eng. Dev. Res. 2017.5: 1538-1542.
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