Lecturer
Dr. Pamella Kageliza Kilavi is a physicist, educator, and researcher specializing in Applied Nuclear Physics. She obtained her Bachelor of Education (Science) in Physics and Mathematics from Kenyatta University in 2000, laying the foundation for her career in science and education. Her passion for nuclear science led her to pursue a Master of Science in Nuclear Science at the University of Nairobi. In 2018, she embarked on a PhD journey in Physics through a prestigious OWSD Sandwich Program at the University of Nairobi and the University of Witwatersrand. Her doctoral research focused on human health risk assessment of environmental radioactivity and heavy metals in Kenya, particularly in regions with high background radiation. She completed her PhD in December 2023.
Dr. Kilavi has over two decades of teaching experience and has held various academic positions. She is currently a Lecturer at Strathmore University, where she teaches Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering students while actively engaging in research and supervision of graduate projects in energy transition.
She previously worked as a Tutorial Fellow at the Technical University of Kenya, where she taught nuclear physics and atomic physics. She has also lectured at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). She was a graduate teacher at Alliance High School, Kikuyu and at St. Georges Girls High School, Nairobi.
Her research interests include:
Her current research include:
Dr. Kilavi has demonstrated strong leadership in the nuclear science community both in Kenya and internationally. She is the Chair of the OWSD-Kenya Chapter and has played a key role in advocating for inclusivity of women in nuclear science and engineering. She has mentored many girls through different programs including the TEWE-Energy project of the Faculty of Engineering, University of Nairobi.
She is the Founder and Founding President of the Kenya Nuclear Young Generation in Nuclear (KYGN) and a Co-Founder of the African Young Generation in Nuclear (AYGN). In these roles, she has been instrumental in promoting nuclear advocacy, security, and education in Africa. She also serves as the Co-Founder and Secretary of Women in Nuclear- Kenya, working to empower women in the nuclear sector.
Her leadership extends to global platforms, having served as a Board Member of the International Youth Nuclear Congress (IYNC) and contributed to nuclear security capacity- building initiatives in Africa.
Dr. Kilavi has secured multiple grants and scholarships, including:
Dr. Kilavi has authored and co-authored several peer-reviewed journal articles on environmental radioactivity, nuclear safety, and radiation monitoring. Her research findings have been presented in over 10 international conferences, highlighting the impact of nuclear science on environmental health and safety.