Tell us about your background. Where are you from? What brought you to Mpala? Where have you previously studied or conducted research?

I studied at Egerton University, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and mathematics. My passion for applying statistics in research brought me to Mpala Research Centre, which is the first place I have been involved in research. Here, I have had the opportunity to work on a soil project with Prof. Tarje Nissen-Meyer, where I have been actively engaged in data collection, analysis, and visualization. Additionally, I have worked closely with Chrispin Odhiambo, a master’s student at Mpala, assisting in his field activities. This experience has strengthened my skills in statistical analysis and field research.

What projects are you currently working on at Mpala? What are your research goals?

I am working on a soil project at Mpala Research Centre under Prof. Nissen-Meyer, Tarje who is a Professor in Environmental Intelligence, Department of Mathematics & Statistics in the University Of Exeter, UK. The goal is to be able to identify, sense and monitor animal movement and reduce the human-wildlife conflict which accounts for a lot of deaths for people and wildlife animals. Our case study was Lekiji village which is separated from Mpala by a river and has a history of human- elephant conflict. In order to do this we look into how the animals cause vibration when walking, running or in their communications (noises) in their natural settings. This vibration complimented with observation help us identify different seismic waves for different animals. This vibrations are called seismic waves.

I put out sensors on the edge of the river where elephants have previously used while crossing to the gardens in Lekiji village where they destroy people’s gardens. On a monthly basis I’d retrieve the sensors, harvest the data, and convert the data into readable format. Using python I cleaned, analyzed and visualized the data using spectrograms and seismograms looking for the elephant’s seismic waves which was a complete success. Indeed we can sense and monitor animal movement using seismic sensors non-invasively.

Having identified elephant’s seismic waves, with advanced sensors it will be possible to monitor elephant movement near community areas and trigger early warnings when elephants move into high-risk zones where they could potentially cause harm to people, property, or crops. It will be possible to send early warning to the community and designated bodies in order to give a quick response to the incoming elephants. By so doing we will reduce the number of  elephants being killed by angry community members and also the community will also not experience damages or loss of life from elephants. This will greatly reduce the human-elephant conflict.

What is one of your favorite things about working at Mpala? (feel free to share any relevant stories from your time at Mpala)

One of my favorite things about working at Mpala is seeing the real-world application of statistics and data analysis in research. It’s exciting to witness how data can be collected, processed, and interpreted to uncover meaningful insights about the environment and wildlife. Working on this soil project has been particularly rewarding, as I’ve had the chance to analyze footfall data and contribute to research through statistical techniques. Seeing how data-driven approaches inform decision-making and ecological studies has reinforced my passion for statistics in research.

What impact do you believe your time at Mpala will have on your professional career?

My time at Mpala has been a transformative experience that will significantly shape my professional career. Being part of this research has strengthened my skills in data analysis, statistical modeling, and research application—key competencies for a career in data analytics. The hands-on experience of working with real-world data, from collection to visualization, has given me a deeper understanding of how data-driven insights influence research and decision-making. Additionally, collaborating with researchers like Chrispin Odhiambo has expanded my perspective on fieldwork and interdisciplinary research. This experience has reinforced my passion for data analysis and will be instrumental in positioning me for roles that require strong analytical and problem-solving skills