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

My name is Dinah Ayoma Wechuli, a proud daughter of Bungoma County, Tongaren Constituency. I began my education journey at the great Nabuyole Primary School, and joined Malava Girls Secondary School 2007. In 2010, I sat for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education and performed exemplary by scoring a B+ and became the first student to score a B+ and qualify for university admission through the Joint Admission Board. In 2012, I joined Moi University, where I earned a Bachelor of Arts with Second Class Honours Upper Division in 2016.

Geography isn’t just maps; it is the pulse of the planet, and I am its biggest fangirl. Not one to rest on my laurels (or topographic maps), I pursued a Master of Science in Environmental Information Systems at the University of Eldoret, graduating in 2022. Now, I am eyeing a PhD, searching around for the perfect research topic at a world-class University.

Before landing at Mpala, I was employed as a Graduate Research Assistant at the beautiful green Bomet University College (a Constituent College of Moi University Kenya). I have also had an awesome work experience at Innovations for Action, Kenya, Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning as a land adjudication and settlement Intern, Nzoia Water and Services Company and the Ministry of Water in Bungoma County as a GIS Intern. In 2017, I volunteered with G-UNITED under the Ministry of Health in West Pokot where I worked with grade one, two and three children on reading and writing. This turned out to be the most fulfilling richest experience of my life.

So, why Mpala? Before joining Mpala, I took time to interact with some of the research projects on the website. I was shocked that some of these projects have been running longer than my favorite TV series (laughs). I also read through some of the publications and phew! I was sold! So, I am here to enable researchers explore phenomenon, science, the environment, the ecosystem and all that is there to explore by ensuring that I am the painkiller to their headache “Compliance and Permitting Process” (laughs again).

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

As a Research Compliance Officer, all research projects are literally my business. My main goal is to ensure that the compliance and permitting process is dual carriageway where compliance meets high-quality research while also fostering an enriching research experience in Kenya and at Mpala.

What is one of your favorite things about working at Mpala?

I literally have two game drives daily (laughs). In the morning while coming to work and in the evening while leaving. What a Luxury!

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

I don’t want to put a limit to it. I am giving the universe and time a good pen and an empty notebook. I will collect it at the end and find out, then maybe I will share (laughs).