Virginia Kimani

Research Scientist

Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute

Nairobi, Kenya

I am Microbial Biotechnologist with an intrest in fungal biodiversity and isolation of fungal metabolites with applications in food, industry and climate

My organisation

At the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI), we are dedicated to promoting industrialization and technological advancement in Kenya. We collaborate with various stakeholders to conduct research, develop innovative products, and provide technical services that enhance the competitiveness of local industries. Our focus on sustainable development ensures that our initiatives contribute to economic growth while prioritizing environmental stewardship. Together, we strive to transform ideas into actionable solutions that drive industrial progress in our nation.
Read more

About me

RESEARCH SCIENTIST-KENYA INDUSTIAL RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE (KIRDI) : 2008-Date

RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Implementation of multi-disciplinary research projects in microbiology.

  2. Coordinating the activities of multi-disciplinary research projects to ensure effective and efficient project implementation

    Education

    PhD in Biotechnology

    Technische Universität –Dresden (2015-2019)

    Thesis: New Secretory Peroxidases and Peroxygenases from Saprotrophic Fungi of Kenyan Forests.

    Masters of Science in Biotechnology

    Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (2013-2015)

    Thesis: Isolation and molecular characterization of yeast strains from Kenyan Cheese industries and Their Potential Utilization in Bioethanol Production from Whey

    Publications

    1. Kimani, Virginia, René Ullrich, Enrico Büttner, Robert Herzog, Harald Kellner, Nico Jehmlich, Martin Hofrichter, and Christiane Liers. 2021. "First Dye-Decolorizing Peroxidase from an Ascomycetous Fungus Secreted by Xylaria grammica" Biomolecules 11, no. 9: 1391. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom11091391

    2. Martin Hofrichter, Harald Kellner, Robert Herzog, Alexander Karich, Christiane Liers, Katrin Scheibner, Virginia Wambui Kimani and René Ullrich (2019) Fungal Peroxygenases: A Phylogenetically Old Superfamily of Heme Enzymes with Promiscuity for Oxygen Transfer Reactions. Springer international.

    3. Andreas Melzer, Virginia Wambui Kimani, Rene Ullrich (2018), Psathyrella aberdarensis, a new species of Psathyrella (Agaricales) from a Kenyan National Park. Austrian J. of Mycology

Social media