About Me

I am a senior scientist and thematic head- Astrophysics and Space Science (assistant professor equivalent) affiliated with the department of physics at the University of Nairobi. My research focuses on Radio astronomy, Stellar astrophysics, Cosmology, Planetary and solar system physics, amongst others. For details on my research interests, see the Research Overview.

As a Kenyan native, I love soccer, yoga, safari, and music. Back in my home county, where I grew up, I was a soccer player on the county and national competition level (now just for fun), I also enjoy safari adventures that allows me to connect to the untamed beauty of the natural world.

Dr. Geoffrey O. Okeng'o in front of an image taken by the Spitzer Space Telescope(2019)

 I also spend some time every week listening to reverberating music ( classical concerts first and now some Jazz/Rhumba/Blues for fun). Additionally, my benevolent hobby of mine is career sensitization. Over the years, I have founded multiple student career sensitization forums including University of Nairobi Astrophysics and Space Science Association (UNASSA) and University of Nairobi AstroNight (UoN AstroNight), a space science program under the Astro Journal Club.

Going in hand with my academic positions, leadership responsibilities and competencies, I am the  founder and principal investigator- the African Universities Academic MOOCs Network, involving seven (7) universities from East, South and West Africa; Knowledge Officer & Executive Member- African Union GMES & Africa Academic Network (GAAN); President & Executive Member – The East African Astronomical Society (EAAS), a professional society that covers Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and Ethiopia; Member- National Square Kilometer Array (SKA) Technical Steering Committee, under the National Commission for  Science Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI), driving the efforts to build the Kenyan Node of the SKA…etc.

Below is a short overview of my scientific career so far. For more information, have a look at my short biography, my detailed CV for professionals, publication list, or just contact me.

Personal Information

Citizenship

Kenyan

Education and Employment

2019 – present

Senior Lecturer/Scientist (assistant professor equivalent), Physics and Astrophysics courses at undergraduate & Postgraduate level; Postgraduate students’ supervision; Research; Consultancy in Mathematical modelling and Curriculum development in Physics & Astrophysics) at University of Nairobi in Kenya.

2015 – 2019

Lecturer (Physics and Astrophysics undergraduate courses; Consultancy in Mathematical modelling and Curriculum development) at Department of Physics– University of Nairobi, Kenya.

2015 – *

Visiting Postdoctoral Fellowship (Cosmic magnetism, Gravitational waves detection- LIGO India, and CMB temperature fluctuations & polarization) at Inter-University Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics at Pune in India.

2011 – 2015

Ph.D. in Theoretical Cosmology, lead by Professor Roy Maartens, University of the Western Cape. ( Graduation: 2015, Cape Town, South Africa; Thesis title: “Modelling Structure formation with interacting fluids.”)

2011 – 2012

Graduate Assistant (Physics and Astronomy undergraduate courses; Undergraduate students project supervision and consultancy), at Department of Physics– University of Nairobi.

2009 – 2011

Master studies in Physics and Astrophysics at University of Western Cape-Thesis and University of Cape Town-Coursework. (Graduation: 2011, University of Cape Town, South Africa; MSc Thesis Topic: “Modelling Stellar Pulsations in Young Brown Dwarfs.”)

2009 – 2010

Tutor (Electrodynamics & Astrophysics- honors courses at NASSP), Department of Applied Mathematics at University of Cape Town in South Africa.

2008 – 2009

Senior A-Level Tutor (Physics and Mathematics), International Schools of Cape Town and Hout Bay in Cape Town, South Africa.

Grants, Honors, and Awards

2019

Pedagogy and Adragogy at center for pedagogical studies, Faculty of Education- University of Nairobi.

2016

SKA Grant for the annual Square Kilometer Array Bursary Conference- Cape Town, South Africa.

2015

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Physics (Cosmology)- University of the Western Cape, South Africa.

2011

Masters of Science (MSc) in Physics (Astrophysics) Cum Laude at University of Western Cape, South Africa.

2012

SKA South Africa Doctoral Fellowship- South Africa.

2009

South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO); Brightest Young Minds (BYM);- Cape Town, South Africa.

Other Professional Activities

I am currently supervising eight (8) postgraduate students, both at the Ph.D. and MSc. levels, spanning to South Africa, Holland and Kenya. Moreover, I serve as a member of the proposal reviewing committee for postgraduate studies at the department of physics, University of Nairobi. As the chairman of the Departmental Postgraduate & Guest Seminars at the department of Physics, University of Nairobi, I have organized both local and international public lectures, seminars, webinars and science outreach programs over the years, involving postgraduate students, departmental staff, local and international guests.

At the University of Nairobi, I am the thematic head of Astrophysics and Space Science with constant involvement in students’ mentorship, guidance and counselling, as well as providing leadership in all matters related to astrophysics & space science in the department. Over the years, I have collaborated and organized annual academic trips for Physics & Astrophysics practical at the Luigi Broglio Space Center– a national satellite tracking & telemetry station located in Malindi, Kenya.

Since 2018, I have been a national judge at the Kenya Science Educational Trade Fair (KSEF)- a national competition of Kenyan Secondary Schools Science, Technology and Innovation Exhibits under the Ministry of Education, Science & Technology. I also serves as the National Judge in physical sciences, The Young Scientists Kenya (YSK) national organization whose patron is the President of the Republic of Kenya (July 2019).

Occasionally, I also contribute as science advisor and consultant astrophysicist at the Department of Physics, University of Nairobi (current) and previously at the DreamMaker Travels, Texas, U.S (2018-2020). I’m the founder, convener & coordinator of the Scientific Computing Academy (since 2019) at the faculty of science and technology, University of Nairobi- a scientific academy program that connects early career researchers and students with top scientists and  industry professionals to create a synergy between accurate science and engaging storylines in both scientific research and computer programming.

Finally, in Kenya, I am the president and executive member (since 2021) of the East African Astronomical Society (EAAS) and the patron of the University of Nairobi Astrophysics and Space Science students Association (since 2015).

Outreach Activities and Science Communication

I heavily engage in various astronomy outreach and science communication initiatives and events in South Africa, North Carolina and in Kenya. Some major programs are:

  • Science communication via LinkedIn
  • Public talks for the African Astronomical Society at the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO).
  • Various public lectures/talks and sky viewing at the department of physics, University of Nairobi.
  • Science consultant and public communication on space science awareness at DreamMaker Travels in Texas, U.S.
  • Founder and organizer of the Astro Journal Club at the University of Nairobi.
  • Tutor and laboratory demonstrator at the department of physics & Astronomy- University of the Western Cape, South Africa.

 

See also my main outreach page and my CV for more details.

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