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RESEARCH
It's all in the genes!
NOREEN MUTORO
Assistant Scientist - National Cheetah Survey, Ph.D. Student
Noreen a research scientist who has been employed with ACK since 2015. Noreen has authored several manuscripts using data collected during her own studies. She assists with other publications using past ACK data and has presented findings in various conferences and forums, both regionally and internationally.
She holds a BSc in Wildlife Management and Conservation from the University of Nairobi (UON). Noreen joined our project in 2013 as a Masters student from the UON where she completed a project on the “Assessment of cheetah dietary selection outside protected areas in Salama-Athi Kapiti Plains”. Noreen has participated in training programmes in GIS mapping, genetic analysis, social science surveys and project planning through ESRI, Cheetah Conservation Fund and through university affiliated programmes. Her passion and expertise make her a skilled leader in the National Cheetah Survey team.
Noreen has authored several manuscripts using data collected during her own studies. She assists with other publications using past ACK data and has presented findings in various conferences and forums, both regionally and internationally.
Over the years, Noreen has developed skills in carnivore dietary analysis through morphological assessment of prey hair, field sample collection of carnivore hair and feces, GIS/ remote sensing, proposal writing, scientific writing, and public speaking.
Currently, she is pursuing her Ph.D. at the University of Salzburg in Austria and is assisting ACK with the National Cheetah Survey.
TIMOTHY MAIYO
Research Assistant
Timothy is a Research Assistant hired in June 2019 to help Ph.D. student Noreen Mutoro. He was given a full-time position with ACK in March 2020.
He holds a Diploma in Wildlife Management from the Kenya Wildlife Service Training Institute (KWSTI). Prior to working with ACK, he interned with Tsavo East National Park in 2017, where he worked with different departments, gaining valuable experience. He also assisted Tsavo Trust in research concerning elephants, hirola and Grevy's zebras.
His work entails accompanying the ACK Scat Dog Detection Team to help in data collection through recording of weather parameters and collection of scat samples during searches and patrols. Additionally, his ability to communicate effectively is evident in the frequent talks with rangers and scouts from various conservancies concerning cheetah sightings and reports as well as scat sample collection. Timothy uses the information from the rangers to inform ACK field staff concerning cheetah sightings and scat collection in their areas.