Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum)

Monica W. Mburu has been a member of the Department of the Food Science & Technology at the Institute of Food Bioresources Technology (IFBT), Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT) since 2011. Monica is specialized in food chemistry, food microbiology and food quality assurance. After graduating with a Second Class Honors, Upper Division from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), in 1999, she worked at management level in quality assurance with various private organizations, including Kenya Nuts Company Ltd and Calton Gallina Blanca (Kenya/Spain). She later enrolled to postgraduate studies at JKUAT, completing her M.Sc. degree in Food Science and Technology in 2010. In 2011, she was employed as an Assistant Lecturer in food science and technology, at DeKUT. In the same year she was awarded a DAAD In-country Scholarship to undertake a four years Ph.D. course in Food Science and Technology at DeKUT. Upon graduation in 2016, Monica continued working for DeKUT as a Senior Lecturer. Since her employment at DeKUT, Monica has been involved in administrative work like Chairman of the Department in 2011 – 2012, Yoghurt IGU Coordinator, Acting Deputy Registrar Research, Technology Management and Community Linkages, Acting Director Institute of Food Bioresources Technology, External Attachment Coordinator, and third year degree students’ Class Advisor and has supervised various undergraduate and postgraduate projects. Monica is currently working with undergraduate and postgraduate students on various projects on processing and value addition of chia seeds and leaves. She is also actively involved in community based programmes where she coordinates utilization of kitchen waste for organic farming promoting household food sustainability through healthy food farming.  Dr Monica closely works with the food and horticulture industries in designing, planning and implementation of food control-related projects with emphasis on the food safety management systems including HACCP, ISO 22000, FSSC 22000, Global GAP, BRCGS and ISO 9001, among other customer related standards. She is a Food Safety Trainer Expert with Europe-Africa-Caribbean-Pacific Liaison Committee (COLEAD), a civil society organisation supporting the development of a sustainable and competitive agriculture and agribusiness in Africa.