Ochieng Jeff

Document eight hawkmoth species using a modified light trap. Seven of the records were "new" for Homa-bay County. Held focus group discussions and key informant interviews to document indigenous knowledge of locals living around the park on hawkmoths. Determined density and relative abundance of invasive plant, Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) in three habitat types (grassland, forest, and farmlands) to understand its impact on hawkmoth native food plant habitats

Dissertation Researcher - Wildlife Research and Training Institute/National Museums of Kenya - Ruma National Park, Kenya

(2025-02 - 2025-07)

• Document eight hawkmoth species using a modified light trap. Seven of the records were "new" for Homa-bay County.
• Held focus group discussions and key informant interviews to document indigenous knowledge of locals living around the park on hawkmoths.
• Determined density and relative abundance of invasive plant, Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) in three habitat types (grassland, forest, and farmlands) to understand its impact on hawkmoth native food plant habitats
• Also recorded other hawkmoth conservation threats such as bushfires and intense predation by bats and praying mantis from artificial light at night sources (ALANs).
• Result will inform decisions regarding pollinator monitoring, invasive plant control, and community sensitization programmes.

Biodiversity Data Clerk - A Rocha Kenya - Kenya

(2021-06 - 2023-03)

Biodiversity Information Facility/ Global Biodiversity Information Facility Project

• Pioneered moth sampling in A Rocha Dakatcha Nature Reserve and Mwamba Field Study Centre
• Prepared an initial checklist of 100 moth species of Mwamba Field Study Centre
• Help in the preparation of Darwin Core (DwC) checklist of the A Rocha Dakatcha Nature Reserve that are published on the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• Assisted in weekly mist netting, monthly bird surveys along the Watamu Marine National Park, Mida Creek, Whale Island, and Dakatcha woodland, and Sabaki Estuary.
• Conducted plant phenology on 16 coastal species
• Equipped students on internship and attachment with biodiversity conservation skills

Research Assistant - Kenya Wildlife Service, Ruma National Park - Ruma National Park, Kenya

(2021-01 - 2021-05)

Roan antelope Project

• Assisted in roan antelope monitoring (camera trapping and foot patrols), roan data management, invasive plants management, bushfire management, data analysis, and preparation of reports.
• Participated in the 2021 national wildlife census as a scriber

Research Intern - Kenya Wildlife Service, Tsavo West National Park - Tsavo West National Park, Kenya

(2019-10 - 2020-10)

Big Tusker Project

• Helped monitor elephants with super tusks
• Participated in road counts, night rhino census, rhino notching, big tusker monitoring, data entry, and bushfire management.
• Prepared weekly briefs

Intern - Entebbe Zoo - Uganda

(2024-01 - 2024-02)

• Participated in wildlife monitoring and enrichment (food and physical)
• Hoofstock, cats, reptiles, birds, among others

Intern - Shimba Hills National Park and Reserve - Shimba Hills, Kenya

(2015-05 - 2015-07)

• Participated in biodiversity monitoring, school outreach, problem animal control, forest restoration programs, and research on other possible tourism programs in the park with colleagues.

Citizen Scientist - iNaturalist

(2022-05)

Ad hoc insect surveys. 568 observations (mostly Lepidoptera)

MSc - Biology - Mbarara University of Science and Technology (2023-01 - 2026-12)

BSc - Wildlife Management - University of Eldoret (2012-01 - 2016-12)

Certificate - Fundamentals of Sampling and Monitoring Insect Pollinators - National Museums of Kenya (2026-02 - 2026-05)