Learning

Teaching, at university level or for the general public ( see my outreach page for more details), has an important place in my professional career as a senior astrophysicist. My current position (faculty equivalent) comes with many opportunities to fulfill my goals, and to foster the curiosity of fledging students; helping them finding the best career path, and teaching them important concepts such as scientific thinking, writing & presenting; to equip them with all they need to become successful scientists.

Below, I list students I have (co-) mentored, as well as classroom teaching.

Graduate Students

At the research faculty (University of Nairobi) and externally, I have had the privilege in mentoring graduate students, both at the MSc and PhD levels. My commitment to fostering a vibrant learning environment is reflected in the personalized mentorship I provide to my students. I have supervised and mentored eleven (11) MSc students to completion, and currently mentoring four (4) MSc and three (3) PhD students: In addition to this, I co-mentor students from other related scientific departments/universities through collaborative projects.

A list of current and past graduate students:

Mr Mwania J. Muthenya– MSc, thesis title: “Assessment of Radioactive Management Systems in Kenya“- Ongoing
Mr Charltone Samo– MSc, thesis title: “Is Our Solar System Stable? Probing The Chaotic Motion of the Three Outermost Solar System Planets: Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus“- Ongoing
Mr Bernard Makori– MSc, thesis title: “Integral Differential Equations from Quantum Field Hypothesis” – Ongoing
Ms Lilian Mutia– MSc, thesis title: “Environmental Impact Assessment of Heavy Metals from Kilimapesa Hill Gold Mines in Lolgorien, Narok county” -Completed, Expected to graduate in Sept. 2019

Ms Dorothy M.Mwanzia– PhD, Topic: “Understanding of Young Low-mass Stars in Galactic Star-forming Regions” -Ongoing
Ms Mavyline K. Motari– PhD, Topic: “Designing Thermal Modelling and Parametric Analysis of an Improved Automatic Sun Tracking and Self-cleaning Solar Panel for Sustainable Green Energy Generation” -Ongoing
Mr Manasi D. Omurwa– PhD, Topic: “Probing the Origin of Under Luminous Radio Relics“- Ongoing

Classroom teaching at Phyc Dept. University of Nairobi

I believe in six (6) essential elements that promote conducive and successful learning:

All students are unique and must be accorded balanced learning environment where they can grow physically, mentally, emotionally, socially and academically.
A professor’s role is to guide, inspire, stimulate, provoke learning and instill critical thinking in students. I accord my students with a stimulating learning environment that makes this possible.
Students must be allowed to think and have access to engaging and creative hands-on activities and exercises.
Students must be allowed room to make choices and let their curiosity direct their learning.
Students must be given opportunity to practice skills in a safe and conducive environment.
Technology is an essential tool that must be incorporated and used to assist the learning process. I am a champion of digital and online learning, with an interest of developing a unique, efficient, high effective & integrated learning platform that will transform the learning process through leveraging on existing online e-tools and e-technologies.

I have twelve (12) years of university teaching experience, seven (7) of which I have taught at postgraduate level. During my Ph.D at UWC in South Africa, I had the opportunity to teach introductory classes in physics and astrophysics to Bachelor undergraduate students.

Below is a list of courses I have taught:

Quantum Mechanics
Electrodynamics
Introductory Astronomy
Light and Astronomical Optics
Evolution of Stars
The Distant stars
Space Plasma Physics

Galaxies and the Universe
Properties and Physics of Stars
Introductory General Relativity and Cosmology
Computational Physics
Classical Mechanics
Physics and Astronomy Projects
Advanced Laboratory Techniques

Click here to view more on my teaching platform!