Since completing her PhD at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Dr. Gichana’s career has been marked by rapid professional growth, leadership, and international collaboration.
Within three years of joining academia, she was appointed Chair of the Department of Environment, Natural Resources, and Aquatic Sciences at Kisii University, where she provides academic and administrative leadership. She actively participates in key university committees, including the Innovation Committee and the Kisii University Institutional Research and Ethics Committee, contributing to research governance and institutional development.
Since January 2020, she has served as a Facilitator in the International Joint MSc Programme in Limnology and Wetland Management, offered collaboratively by UNESCO-IHE (Netherlands), the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (Austria), and Egerton University (Kenya). Within this programme, she teaches the postgraduate Fisheries and Aquaculture module, with particular focus on Aquaculture Production Systems.
Her research profile, scholarly output, and mentorship roles have significantly expanded. She has supervised 4 postgraduate students and has published 25 peer-reviewed research articles. She also supports student development as the Matron of the Kisii University Environmental Club, where she promotes sustainability and community-based environmental awareness.
Research Interests
Dr. Gichana’s research focuses on sustainable environmental and aquatic resource management, with emphasis on sustainable waste management, aquaponics systems, ecosystem-based aquaculture, and fisheries management. She promotes circular approaches to waste reduction and resource recovery and explores integrated fish–crop production systems that enhance food security and resource efficiency. Her work advances environmentally responsible aquaculture practices that align with ecological processes, conserve biodiversity, and ensure long-term productivity of aquatic ecosystems.
International collaboration defines her professional trajectory. She participated in the APPEAR Preparatory Project, Harnessing North–South Training and Research Approaches to Manage Emerging Pollutants, funded by OeAD. The project brought together Kyambogo University, Kisii University, Makerere University, the University for Continuing Education Krems, and Bahir Dar University, strengthening her expertise in environmental research and emerging pollutants.
She is also involved in the KoEF-funded project Sustainability of Flood Plains Supported Livelihoods in the Face of Climate Change in East Africa (Kenya and Rwanda), a collaboration among the Technical University of Kenya, Chuka University, the University of Rwanda, Kisii University, and the University of Innsbruck. Through associated mobility funding, she has participated in research exchanges in Kenya, Rwanda, and Austria, including a workshop in Mondsee (November 2025) on toxic cyanobacteria.
Additionally, she serves as the Kisii University representative to the Africa-UniNet research network, strengthening institutional and international academic partnerships.
Personal and Professional Impact
Receiving a PhD scholarship to study in Austria was a transformative milestone in Dr. Gichana’s academic journey. The doctoral training environment strengthened her resilience, independence, and academic confidence while equipping her with strong skills in teaching, research, and supervision. She graduated in November 2019 under the mentorship of Prof. H. Waidbacher and subsequently secured a position in academia in February 2020.
Her time in Austria reshaped her discipline and work ethic. She developed the ability to separate focused work from personal renewal, improving productivity and mental resilience. Academically, she cultivated a strong passion for statistics and data analysis under the guidance of Prof. E. Lautsch. What once seemed complex became one of her strongest professional assets.
Her studies enabled her to build lasting research networks with scholars from around the world, many of whom remain active collaborators. Her Austrian education did not simply grant her a degree; it transformed how she thinks, works, and lives, while opening opportunities for international research networks and lifelong professional friendships.
Austria also left a lasting personal impression on her. She enjoyed the snowy landscapes, vibrant Christmas markets, and tobogganing experiences. The country’s efficient transport system facilitated commuting and travel, allowing her to explore its natural beauty. She looks forward to returning as a tourist to once again experience Austria’s landscapes and environment.
Intercultural Experiences
Dr. Gichana’s time in Austria provided meaningful intercultural experiences that extended beyond academics. Programmes organized by OeAD, including weekend excursions, created valuable intercultural exchange opportunities, strengthened friendships, and enriched her international outlook.
She interacted with students from diverse cultural backgrounds, sharing music, dance, traditions, and meals. She developed a fondness for Ethiopian injera and enjoyed Austrian cuisine such as Wiener schnitzel. Weekend conversations and shared experiences deepened her cultural awareness, broadened her perspective, and strengthened her ability to collaborate across cultures. These experiences enhanced her openness, adaptability, and global engagement.
Impact and Relevance of Her PhD Research
Dr. Gichana’s PhD research contributes directly to capacity development in Kenya, particularly in regions experiencing land fragmentation and water scarcity intensified by climate change. She developed sustainable, low-cost aquaculture technologies utilizing locally available materials such as pumice stones for anaerobic biofiltration and plant-based systems for nutrient removal in recirculating aquaculture systems.
These innovations reduce water use, lower production costs, and enable fish farming in water-limited environments. The research supports climate-smart food production, strengthens local technical capacity, and provides sustainable livelihood options for communities facing environmental stress.
Vision for Future Networks
Dr. Gichana envisions strong, long-term research partnerships between Kisii University and Austrian institutions through joint research projects, co-authored publications, grant applications, and mobility programs. Staff and student exchanges, joint workshops, and collaborative training initiatives would enhance institutional capacity, research innovation, and cross-cultural academic learning while strengthening sustainable North–South research partnerships.
