Daisy Ouya
Science writer, editor, and communications specialist
Daisy Ouya (née Githinji) has over 15 years’ professional experience in packaging and disseminating scientific knowledge to general audiences. She has a Masters’ degree in Chemistry from the University of Connecticut, USA and a BSc (First Class Hons) in Chemistry from the University of Nairobi in her native Kenya. Daisy is a Board-certified Editor in the Life Sciences (www.bels.org, USA) and has worked as a journal editor, science writer, publisher, and communications specialist in the fields of agroforestry, entomology, agriculture, human health, HIV/AIDS, and marine science. She is currently working as Communications Advisor at AVAC, avac.org.
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Experience
Communications Specialist/Science Writer
July 2012 – March 2017
World Agroforestry Centre
Program Manager, Information Education and Communication
February 2007 – June 2012
International AIDS Vaccine Initiative
Science Writer/Editor
2004 – 2007
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)
Science Editor, International Journal of Tropical Insect Science
March 1996 – August 2004
ICIPE
Science Editor and Production Manager of Insect Science and Its Application, currently The International Journal of Tropical Insect Science, published by ICIPE
http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayJournal?jid=JTI
Education Highlights
Master of Science (magna cum laude) in chemistry
1989–1992
University of Connecticut, USA
Bachelor of Science (1st Class Honours) in chemistry
1985–1988
University of Nairobi, Kenya
Editor in the Life Sciences (ELS)
Starting March 2007
Board of Editors in the Life Sciences (www.bels.org)
Global Postharvest Loss Prevention: Fundamentals, Technologies, and Actors
Starting March 2015
Coursera Verified Certificates, License WU4SL2YFJV
Competencies
Development Communication
My expertise includes communication planning for programs, projects and events of different sizes and geographic spread; technical and journalistic writing; editing and publishing; conference communications; professional social media; media liaison; and managing inter-institutional and inter-sectoral partnerships.I have more than a decade’s communications experience gained from working with international research and development-oriented NGOs.
I have travelled to over 35 countries and gained a global view on development issues and approaches.
Science
My Masters’ and Bachelor’s degrees are in Chemistry, and I have worked with research organizations in the fields of agroforestry, entomology, agriculture, marine science, entomology, human health and HIV prevention.
Writing, editing, publishing
I am a science writer and editor, which involves translating research results into stories for a general reader. I am a Board-certified Science Editor, and have lots of experience in publishing scholarly journals, books, magazines, and other communications products. See full cv for links.
Social media
Training
I have conducted internal and external trainings in presentation skills and pitching, as well as social media and media skills for researchers.
Two recent ones was a pitching training at the Global Landscapes Forum 2015, held alongside COP21 Paris, and another held at the GFAR Conference in Johannesburg, 2016.
