Dr. James Onchieku, an industrious, self-motivated, innovative and a person of high integrity, has been a Senior Lecturer and Chief Research Officer in Kisii University, School of Agriculture and Natural Resources Management, Department of Natural Resources Management and Environmental Science. I have vast experience teaching and carrying out research in university as well as in national research institutions. To date, I have published over sixty (60) publications, thirty (30) in peer-reviewed scholarly journals and thirty (30) presented in international and national conferences, workshops and seminars, including one book. James has supervised and mentored many graduate and postgraduate students.

During my professional career, I have formulated multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional project proposals which have been funded by international and national development partners, including World Bank, European Commission and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Due to my leadership qualities enhanced by attending Strategic Leadership Program in Kenya Institute of Administration, I have been Coordinator of Kisii University Nairobi and Keroka campuses as well as a member of the Board of Undergraduate Students in Kisii University among others.

In the spirit of giving back to community and society in general, I am a member of professional organizations including Kenya Forestry Society, African Forests Forum (AFF), Member of the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network – Kenya Node, Member of Board of Directors, Roundtable for Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) based in Geneva, Switzerland, Chairman of the Board of local school in my community as well as Patron to Self-Help group in my community.