Curriculum Vitae of Prof. Robert Wahiti Gituru

PROF. ROBERT WAHITI GITURU, PhD., MKNAS

FOUNDER DIRECTOR

SINO-AFRICAN JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE, JKUAT

Career Objective: To contribute significantly to advancement of knowledge in my chosen field

of Plant Biosystematics and Conservation.

1. Personal Profile:

Address: Sino-African Joint Research Center (SAJOREC)

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)

P. O. Box 62000 – 00200, Nairobi

KENYA

Nationality: Kenyan

Contacts: Telephone: +254 -67-52373

Cell: +254 -729 937499

Email address: gituru@jkuat.ac.ke wahitigituru@gmail.com

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree: Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya (1987-1990)

B.Ed. in Science (Hons.)

Major in Botany, Minor in Zoology.

Master’s Degree: Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya (1996)

M.Sc. in Botany (Plant Taxonomy and Biosystematics)

Doctorate Degree: Wuhan University, China (2002)

Curriculum Vitae of Prof. Robert Wahiti Gituru

Ph. D. in Botany (Plant Biosystematics and Conservation)

Post - Doctoral Diploma: Wuhan University, China (2006)

Plant Biosystematics.

UNESCO/CSC Fellow: Wuhan University (2005- 2006)

Laboratory of Plant Systematics and Evolutionary Biology

2. Employment:

2011- Present: Founder Director,

Sino-African Joint Research Center (SAJOREC)

JKUAT

P. O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, KENYA

2013- Present: Associate professor (Plant Biosystematics and Conservation)

Botany Department

JKUAT

P. O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, KENYA

2009- 2013: Senior Lecturer in Plant Sciences

Botany Department

JKUAT

P. O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, KENYA

2005- 2009: Lecturer in Plant Sciences

Botany Department

JKUAT

P. O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, KENYA

2002- 2005: Lecturer in Plant Sciences

Botany Department

Kenyatta University

P. O. Box 43844, Nairobi, KENYA.

1996- 2002: Assistant Lecturer in Plant Sciences

Botany Department

Egerton University

P. O. Box 536, Njoro, KENYA.

1990- 1996: Head of Science Department (Under Teachers’ Service Commission)

Secondary Schools Division

Kiambu District, KENYA.

3. Supervision of Postgraduate Students

Prof Gituru has supervised five PhD students and 9 M.Sc. students to successful

completion. Presently four PhD and 3 M.Sc. students are undertaking their studies. The

students have been registered in JKUAT and the Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese

Academy of Sciences (WBGCAS). Prof. Gituru has also successfully supervised numerous

undergraduate (B.Sc.) research projects to successful completion.

Curriculum Vitae of Prof. Robert Wahiti Gituru

4. Research and Development Projects:

Prof. Gituru played an integral part in the formulation, solicitation for funding, and execution

of research and development projects. Key among these is the establishment of the Sino-Africa

Joint Research Center and JKUAT Botanical Garden (SAJOREC) in JKUAT, Nairobi Kenya.

NAME OF

PROJECT/collaboration

details

SOURCE OF FUNDS STATUS

Establishment of the Sino-

Africa Joint Research

Center and JKUAT

Botanical Garden

(SAJOREC)

(In collaboration with Prof.

Wang Qing Feng and Prof.

Yan Xue of WBGCAS)

Chinese

Government/Chinese

Academy of Sciences/

WBGCAS/JKUAT

(Amount: KESH 3

billion)

Construction

Completed-

Handed over to

JKUAT in

September,

2016.

NAME OF

PROJECT/collaboration

details

SOURCE OF FUNDS STATUS

Phytobiodiversity

monitoring studies in the

East African flora (In

collaboration with Prof.

Wang Qing Feng of

WBGCAS)

Chinese Academy of

Sciences through Wuhan

Botanical Gardens/ JKUAT

Ongoing

Impact of spatio-temporal

patterns and environmental

gradients on the speciation

andevolution of Batrachium

(In collaboration with Prof.

Wang Qing Feng of

WBGCAS)

Chinese Academy of

Sciences through Wuhan

Botanical Gardens

(completed)

Curriculum Vitae of Prof. Robert Wahiti Gituru

Studies on speciation of

Isoetes (In collaboration

with Prof. Chen Jing-Ming

of WBGCAS)

Chinese Academy of

Sciences through Wuhan

Botanical Gardens

(completed)

Conservation biology of

Isoetessinenis(In

collaboration with Prof.

Wang Qing Feng of

WBGCAS)

Chinese Academy of

Sciences through Wuhan

Botanical Gardens

(completed)

Phylogenetic studies of

Alismataceae (In

collaboration with Prof.

Wang Qing Feng of

WBGCAS)

Chinese Academy of

Sciences through Wuhan

Botanical Gardens

(completed)

5. Thesis examination

Prof. Wahiti Gituru has served as examiner for several PhD and MSc thesis in JKUAT,

University of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Wuhan Botanical Garden and University of

Chinese Academy of Sciences in China.

6. Research Interests:

i. Botanical gardens establishment and management

ii. Plant taxonomy and evolutionary biology iii. Ethnobotanical studies

iv. Conservation Biology

v. Reproductive ecology and conservation of endangered plants

vi. Morphometrics - Applied multivariate techniques for species delimitation

vii. Phylogenetic studies based on morphological characters

viii. Species characterization using SSCP and rbcL sequencing

ix. Genetic diversity studies in natural plant populations

x. Population genetic structuring using RAPD

7. External Examiner

Prof. Wahiti Gituru has served as the External Examiner for the Department of Applied

Biological Sciences in the Kenya Polytechnic University and for the University of Addis

Ababa in Ethiopia. In this capacity he examined both undergraduate and post graduate

examinations to ensure compliance with the set standards. Prof. Gituru served as the

Academic Quality Assurance officer in the Botany Department, JKUAT in which

capacity he assists the COD in maintaining a high standard of academics in the department.

Curriculum Vitae of Prof. Robert Wahiti Gituru

8. Editorial Work

Prof. Wahiti Gituru is an editor for several journals including the Journal of Evolutionary

Biology Research and the Journal of Biodiversity Conservation and Research. He has

on several occasions also reviewed manuscripts submitted to Journal of Agriculture

Science and Technology (JAGST) in JKUAT among other reputable journals

9. PUBLICATIONS

Publications since attaining associate professor:

University level book:

1. Qing-Feng Wang (editor) Robert Wahiti Gituru et al. “Common Plants of Kenya” Changjiang Publishing House, Hubei Science and Technology Press. August (2016)-700 pages.

Recent publications in refereed journals

1) Peponium elgonense (Cucurbitaceae), a new species from Mount Elgon in Kenya -2020:

Frederick Munyao Mutie, Peninah Cheptoo Rono, Vivian Kathambi, Neng Wei, Peris

Kamau, Robert Wahiti Gituru et al. PHYTOTAXA (43)2: 189-197

2) Assessment of Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe enrichment in Mount Kenya soils: evidence for

atmospheric deposition and contamination-2020: Kelvin Babu Githaiga Samwel

Njuguna, Victorine Anyango Makokha, Jun Wan, Robert Wahiti Gituru, Yan Xue

ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESMENT 6: 192 (3 )167

3) Application of multivariate statistical analysis and water quality in health risk

assessment by domestic use of river water. Case study of Tana River in Kenya- 2020:

Samwel Maina Njuguna, Janet Atieno Onyango, Kelvin Babu Githaiga, Robert Wahiti

Gituru, Xue Yan.: PROCESS SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 133-149-158

4) The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Xerophyta spekei (Velloziaceae)-2020:

Vincent Okelo Wanga, Xiang Dong, Millicent Aulo, Jecinta Munyao, Edward Mkala, Paul

Kirika , Robert Wahiti Gituru, Hu Guang Wan MITOCHONDRIAL DNA PART B-

RESOURCES, 5;1 100-101

Curriculum Vitae of Prof. Robert Wahiti Gituru

5) Hyphaene compressa an important palm in the arid and semi-arid regions of Kenya-

2020. Omire A., Neondo J., Budambula N., Gituru R. Wahiti., & Mweu C. ETHNOBOTANY

RESEARCH AND APPLICATIONS 20.doi; 10.32859/era.20.4. 1-15.

6) Ann W. Njuguna, Zhi-ZhongLi, Josphat K.Saina, Justus M. Munywoki, Andrew W.Gichira, Robert W.Gituru, Qing-FengWang, Jin-MingChen (2019) Comparative analyses of the complete chloroplast genome of nymphoides and menyanthes species(menyanthaceae) Aquatic Botany, 156, 73-81.

7) Samwel Maina Njuguna, Victorine Anyango Makokha, Xue Yan, Robert Wahiti Gituru, Qingfeng Wang, Jun Wang (2019) Health risk assessment by consumption of vegetables irrigated with reclaimed waste water: A case study in Thika (Kenya) Journal of Environmental Management, 231(Food Chem. 136 2013), 576-581.

8) Andrew W. Gichira, Zhi-Zhong Li, Josphat K. Saina, Guang-Wan Hu, Robert W. Gituru, Qing-Feng Wang, Jin-Ming Chen (2017) Demographic history and population genetic structure of Hagenia abyssinica (Rosaceae), a tropical tree endemic to the Ethiopian highlands and eastern African mountains Tree Genetics & Genomes, 13(4), 72-78.

9) Andrew W. Gichira, Zhizhong Li, Josphat K. Saina, Zhicheng Long, Guangwan Hu, Robert W. Gituru, Qingfeng Wang, Jinming Chen (2017)The complete chloroplast genome sequence of an endemic monotypic genus Hagenia (Rosaceae): structural comparative analysis, gene content and microsatellite detection PeerJ, 5, e2846, 2017.

10) Samwel Maina Njuguna, Xue Yan, Robert Wahiti Gituru, Qingfeng Wang, Jun Wang (2017) Assessment of macrophyte, heavy metal, and nutrient concentrations in the water of the Nairobi River, Kenya Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 189(9), 454- 459.

11) YA-DONG ZHOU, GUANG-WAN HU, XUE YAN, GEOFFREY MWACHALA, ROBERT WAHITI

GITURU, QING-FENG WANG (2016) Sedum keniense (Crassulaceae), a new species from Mt. Kenya, East Africa Phytotaxa, 261(2), 177, 2016.

12) Robert W. Gituru (2014), The SAJOREC initiative in JKUAT. Journal of Agriculture and Technology 115-133. Vol 16 (1) Pages 1-3.

13) Jin-Ming Chen, Shu-Ying Zhao, Yi-Ying Liao, Andrew Wanyoike Gichira, Robert Wahiti Gituru, Qing-Feng Wang (2015) Chloroplast DNA phylogeographic analysis reveals significant spatial genetic structure of the relictual tree Davidia involucrata (Davidiaceae) Conservation Genetics, 16(3), 583-593.

14) S Y Zhao, S G Sun, C Dai, Robert W. Gituru, J M Chen and F Wang, (2015) Genetic variation and structure in native and invasive Solidago canadensis populations Weed Research, Volume 55, Issue 2, 163–172

Curriculum Vitae of Prof. Robert Wahiti Gituru

15) Zhong-Ming, Ye; Wen-Kui, Dai; Xiao-Fang, Jin; Robert W. Gituru; Qing-Feng, Wang

(2015) Competition and facilitation among plants for pollination: can pollinator abundance shift the plant–plant interactions? Plant Ecology. Volume 215, Issue 1.178-182.

16) Hui Wang, Chang-Long Xiao ，Robert W. Gituru ，Zheng Xiong，Dan Yu，You-Hao

Guo， Chun-Feng Yang, (2014) Change of floral orientation affects pollinator diversity and their relative importance in an alpine plant with generalized pollination system, Geranium refractum (Geraniaceae) Plant Ecology, Volume 215, Number 2014, 1211–1219.

17) X.-X. Li, H. Wang, Robert W. Gituru, Y.-H. Guo and C.-F. Yang (2014) Pollen packaging and dispensing: adaption of patterns of anther dehiscence and flowering traits to pollination in three Epimedium Plant Biology. Volume 16, Issue 1 pages 227–233.

18) Kuo Liao, Robert W. Gituru, You-Hao Guo, Qing-Feng Wang (2013) Effects of floral herbivory on foraging behaviour of bumblebees and female reproductive success in Pedicularis gruina (Orobanchaceae) Original Research Article Flora - Morphology, Distribution, Functional Ecology of Plants, Volume 208, Issues 10–12, December 2013, Pages 562-569.

19) Ling-Yun Chen, Jin-Ming Chen, Robert Wahiti Gituru, Qing-Feng Wang (2013) Eurasian origin of Alismatidae inferred from statistical dispersal–vicariance analysis Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 67(1), 38-42.

20) Jin-Ming Chen, Zhi-Yuan Du, Shan-Shan Sun, Robert Wahiti Gituru, Qing-Feng Wang

(2013) Chloroplast DNA Phylogeography Reveals Repeated Range Expansion in a Widespread Aquatic Herb Hippuris vulgaris in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and Adjacent Areas PLoS ONE, 8(4), e60948, 2013

21) Yuan-Huo Dong, Robert Wahiti Gituru (2013) Genetic structure and gene flow in the

endangered aquatic economic crop Brasenia schreberi J. F. Gmel. (Nymphaeaceae) in China PIAGENG 2013: Intelligent Information, Control, and Communication Technology for Agricultural Engineering, Vol. 8762, 876213-876213-5, 2013

22) Yi‐Ying LIAO, Xiao‐Li YUE, You‐Hao GUO, Wahiti Robert GITURU, Qing‐Feng WANG, Jin‐Ming CHEN (2013) Genotypic diversity and genetic structure of populations of the distylous aquatic plant Nymphoides peltata (Menyanthaceae) in China Journal of Systematics and Evolution, 51(5), 536-544, 2013

Curriculum Vitae of Prof. Robert Wahiti Gituru

23) Chun-Feng Yang, Jun Li, Robert Wahiti Gituru, Qing-Feng Wang, You-Hao Guo (2013) Asymmetric pollen–pistil interactions contribute to maintaining floral colour polymorphism in a clonal aquatic plant (Butomus umbellatus L.) Aquatic Botany, 106, 29-34.

24) Chun-Feng Yang, Jun Li, Robert Wahiti Gituru, Qing-Feng Wang, You-Hao Guo Asymmetric pollen–pistil interactions contribute to maintaining floral colour polymorphism in a clonal aquatic plant (Butomus umbellatus L.) Original Research Article Aquatic Botany, Volume 106, April 2013, Pages 29-34.

25) Ling-Yun Chen, Jin-Ming Chen, Robert Wahiti Gituru, Qing-Feng Wang (2013) Eurasian origin of Alismatidae inferred from statistical dispersal–vicariance analysis Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, Volume 67, Issue 1, April 2013, 38-42.

26) Yi-Ying Liao, Xiao-Li Yue, You-Hao Guo, Gituru Wahiti Robert, Qing-Feng Wang, Jin-Ming Chen (2013) Genotypic diversity and genetic structure of populations of the distylous aquatic plant Nymphoides peltata (Menyanthacea). Journal of Systematics

and Evolution 2013 51(5): 536-544

Proceedings in conferences

27) Qingfeng WANG, Lingyun CHEN, Yadong ZHOU, Shuying ZHAO, John Kamau MUC

HUKU,Elizabeth Mwihaki KAMANDE , Robert Wahiti GITURU, Jinming CHEN, Gu

angwan HU, Xue YAN (2016)

Biodiversity and evolution of alpine plants in East Africa. Proceedings of the

International Symposium on Biodiversity and Biogeography in East Asia. 115-118. July

12-13, 2016, Kunming, China.

Publications before attaining associate professor:

University level books:

1) Author: Robert W. Gituru TITLE: Reproductive Ecology of the Endangered Aquatic Plant

Caldesia grandis (Alismataceae) Publisher: VDM-VERLAG COUNTRY OF PUBLICATION: GERMANY DATE OF PUBLICATION: July 2010 ISBN: 9783639270037 NO OF PAGES: 224 FORMAT: Paperback PRICE: RS 4040.

2) Authors: Wang Qing-Feng (Ed.), Gituru Wahiti Robert et al. (Ed. Commit.) 2002. TITLE:

Investigation and Conservation of Biodiversity of Jiugonshan Mountain Nature Reserve. Publisher: China Forestry Publishing House. Beijing, COUNTRY OF PUBLICATION: China. NO OF PAGES: 115 FORMAT: Paperback PRICE: RMB 350.

Curriculum Vitae of Prof. Robert Wahiti Gituru

Publications in refereed journals

1. Peponium elgonense (Cucurbitaceae), a new species from Mount Elgon in Kenya -2020: Frederick Munyao Mutie, Peninah Cheptoo Rono, Vivian Kathambi, Robert Wahiti Gituru et al. PHYTOTAXA (43)2: 189-197

2. Assessment of Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe enrichment in Mount Kenya soils: evidence for

atmospheric deposition and contamination-2020: Kelvin Babu Githaiga Samwel Njuguna, Victorine Anyango Makokha, Robert Wahiti Gituru et al. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESMENT 6: 192 (3 )167

3. Application of multivariate statistical analysis and water quality in health risk assessment by domestic use of river water. Case study of Tana River in Kenya- 2020: Samwel Maina Njuguna, Janet Atieno Onyango, Kelvin Babu Githaiga, Robert Wahiti Gituru et al.: PROCESS SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 133-149-158

4. The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Xerophyta spekei (Velloziaceae)-

2020: Vincent Okelo Wanga, Xiang Dong, Millicent Aulo, Robert Wahiti Gituru et al MITOCHONDRIAL DNA PART B-RESOURCES, 5;1 100-101

5. Hyphaene compressa an important palm in the arid and semi-arid regions of Kenya-

2020. Omire A., Neondo J., Budambula N., Gituru R. Wahiti., & Mweu C. ETHNOBOTANY RESEARCH AND APPLICATIONS 20.doi; 10.32859/era.20.4. 1-15.

28) Gituru Wahiti Robert, Wang Q. -F., Wang Y., and Guo. Y. -H. (2012). Pollination

ecology, breeding system and conservation of Caldesia grandis, an endangered marsh plant in China. Botanical Bulletin of Academia Sinica. 43 (3): 231~240.

29) Gituru Wahiti Robert, Wang Q. -F., Wang Y., and Guo. Y. -H. (2002). Proposal to

conserve the name Sagittaria guyanensis (Alismataceae) with that spelling. Taxon. 51: 575-576.

30) Gituru Wahiti Robert, Njenga P -K., Chen J. M., and Wang Q. -F. (2006). Status of

Caldesia grandis Samuelsson (Alismataceae) a rare monocot facing impending extirpation. Journal of Agriculture and Technology ISBN-9966-923-28-4: 115-133.

31) Gituru Wahiti Robert, Wang Q. -F., Wang Y., and Guo. Y. -H. (2001). A

taxonomic investigation of variation within Cissus quadrangularis L. (Vitaceae) in Kenya. Wuhan University Journal of Natural Sciences. 6 (3): 715~724.

Curriculum Vitae of Prof. Robert Wahiti Gituru

32) Gituru Wahiti Robert, Wang Q. -F., Wang Y., and Guo. Y. -H. (2003) Reproductive biology and prospects for conservation of Caldesia parnassifolia (Alismataceae): A threatened monocot in China. Wuhan University Journal of Natural Sciences. 8 (1A): 117-124.

33) Gituru Wahiti Robert, Wang Q. -F., Wang Y., and Guo. Y. -H. (2001). A pre-pressing

technique for Cissus quadrangularis L. (Vitaceae) and other small succulents. Journal of Wuhan Botanical Research19 (5): 421-427.

34) Dong Y. H., Robert Wahiti Gituru, and Wang Q. F. (2012) Effect of habitat modification on

the distribution of the endangered aquatic fern Ceratopteris pteridoides (Perkeriaceae). American Fern Journal, 102 (2): 136-146. 87 69 – 74.

35) Chen. L, Chen J, Robert Wahiti Gituru, and Q. F. Wang (2012) Generic phylogeny, historical biogeography and character evolution of the cosmopolitan aquatic plant family BMC Evolutionary Biology 2012, 12:30

36) Chen. L, Chen J, Robert Wahiti Gituru, Temam T. and Q. F. Wang (2012) Generic phylogeny and historical biogeography of Alismataceae, inferred from multiple DNA sequences Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 63 (2012) 407–416

37) J. Li | Q.-F. Wang | Robert Wahiti Gituru | C.-F. Yang | Y.- H. Guo (2012) Reversible anther

opening enhances male fitness in a dichogamous aquatic plant Butomus umbellatus L., the flowering rush Aquatic Botany 99 (2012) 27– 33

38) Y.-W. Zhang, J.-M. Zhao, C.-F. Yang, Robert W. Gituru (2011) Behavioral differences

between male and female carpenter bees in nectar robbing and its effect on reproductive success in Glechoma longituba (Lamiaceae). Plant Biology Volume 13, Issue Supplement s1, pages 25–32.

39) B. Y.-Peng, Z. Y.-Wen, Robert W. Gituru, Z. J.-Min and L. J.-Dong (2011) Sexual differences

in reproductive characters and pollinator attractiveness in gynodioecious Glechoma longituba (Lamiaceae). Plant Species Biology Vol. 26 Issue 1 Pp. 33-42 January 2011

40) Dong, Y. H., Robert W. Gituru, Wang, Q. F. (2010) Genetic variation and gene flow in the

endangered aquatic fern Ceratopteris pteridoides, and conservation implications. Ann. Bot. Fennici 47: 34–44.

41) Xiao-lin Zhang Robert W. Gituru • Chun-feng Yang • You-hao Guo (2010) Exposure to

water increased pollen longevity of pondweed (Potamogeton spp.) indicates different mechanisms ensuring pollination success of angiosperms in aquatic habitat. Evolutionary Ecology Volume 24, Number 4, 939-953, DOI: 10.1007/s10682-010-9351-z

Curriculum Vitae of Prof. Robert Wahiti Gituru

42) Y.-H. Dong, Robert W. Gituru. Q.-F. Wang (2010) Genetic variation and gene flow in the endangered aquatic fern Ceratopteris pteridoides and conservation implications. Ann. Bot. Fennici. Vol. 47. 34-44. March-2010.

43) Zuo Li, Robert Wahiti Gituru, Niran Juntawong, Ming-Qin Zhou, Long-Qing Chen. (2010)

Genetic Diversity and Classification of Nelumbo Germplasm of Different Origins by RAPD and ISSR Analysis. Scientia Horticulturae, Vol. 125 Issue 4. 26 July 2010. Pages 724-732.

44) Li Shao, Xiu-Qun Liu, Robert Wahiti Gituru, Rui Ruan, Long-Qing Chen. (2010). Effect of

pretreatment on breaking hard seed dormancy of Sophora viciifolia Hance, a native Chinese shrub with potential for vegetation restoration in degraded habitats. Seed Science and Technology, Vol. 38 No. 3 October 2010. Pp. 792-796.

45) S.-Y. Zhao, J.-M. Chen, Q.-F. Wang, F. Liu, Y.-H. Guo, Robert W. Gituru, (2010). The extent

of clonality and genetic diversity in Sagittaria lichuanensis (Alismataceae), an endemic marsh herb. Botanical Studies Vol. 51. 363-369.

46) Zhang X. -L., Gituru Wahiti Robert, Yang C. -F., and Gou Y. -H. (February, 2009).

Variations of floral traits among different life forms illustrate the evolution of pollination systems in Potamogeton species. Aquatic Botany 90 (2): 124 – 128.

47) Han Y-C, Teng C-Z., Gituru Robert Wahiti, Zhou M-Q, Hu Z-L, Song Y-C, (January 2009). Mating system and genetic diversity in natural populations of Nelumbo nucifera (Nelumbonaceae) detected by ISSR markers.Plant Systematics and Evolution 277:13–20.

48) Zhang Y. -W., Yang C. -F., Gituru Wahiti Robert and Gou Y. -H. (September, 2008). Within-season adjustment of sex expression in females and hermaphrodites of the clonal gynodioecious herb Glechoma longituba (Lamiaceae). Ecological Research 23 (5): 873-881.

49) Dong Y. H., Chen J. M., Gituru Wahiti Robert, and Wang Q. F. (August, 2008) Genetic variation in the endangered aquatic fern Ceratopteris thalictroides (Perkeriaceae): Implications from RAPD and ISSR data. Botanical Journal of the Linnaean Society of London 157, 657– 671.

50) J. -M. Chen, Gituru Wahiti Robert, Fan Liu and Q. -F. Wang (July, 2008) Chloroplast DNA phylogeography of the endemic alpine quillwort Isoetes hypsophila Hand. -Mazz. (Isoetaceae). International Journal of Plant Sciences 169(6): 792-798.

51) Zhang Y.-W. , Gituru Wahiti Robert and Wang Y. (2007). Nectar robbing of a carpenter bee and its effects on reproductive fitness of Glechoma longituba (Lamiaceaeae) Plant Ecology.193: 1 – 13.

Curriculum Vitae of Prof. Robert Wahiti Gituru

52) Han Yan-Chuang, Gituru Wahiti Robert et al. (2007) Analyses of Genetic Relationships in Nelumbo nuciferausing nuclear ribosomal ITS sequence data, ISSR and RAPD markers.Aquatic Botany 87: 141 – 146.

53) Kai-Ge Zhao, Gituru Wahiti Robert et al. (2007) Genetic diversity and discrimination of Chimonanthus praecox (L.)Link.Germplasm using ISSR and RAPD Markers. HortScience42 (5): 1144 – 1148.

54) C-F. Yang, Gituru Wahiti Robert, and Y-H. Guo. (2007) Reproductive isolation of two

sympatric louseworts, Pedicularis rhinanthoides and P. longiflora (Orobanchaceae): how does the same pollinator type avoid interspecific pollen transfer? Biological Journal of the Linnaean Society. 90: 37 – 48

55) Chen J. M., Gituru Wahiti Robert, and Wang, Q. F. (2007) A comparison of the extent of genetic variation in the endangerd Sagittaria natans and its widespread congener S. trifolia Aquatic Botany 87 1 – 6.

56) Q-X. Liu, Gituru Wahiti Robert, and L-Q. Chen (2007) Genetic variation in the

endangered fern Adiantum reniformes var. Sinensis. Annales Botanici Fennici vol. 44 pp 25-32.

57) Wang J. Y., Gituru Wahiti Robert, Chen J. M., and Wang, Q. F. (2007): Genetic diversity

in Isoetesyunguiensis, a rare and endangered endemic fern in China. Frontiers of Biology in China vol. 2 (1) pp 46-49

58) Dong Y. H., Chen J. M., Gituru Wahiti Robert, and Wang Q. F. (2007) Gene flow in

populations of the endangered aquatic fern Ceratopterispteridoides as revealed by ISSR markers. Aquatic Botany 87 69 – 74.

59) Wang J. Y., Gituru Wahiti Robert, Chen J. M., and Wang, Q. F. (2006). Spatial

distribution pattern of populations of Isoetes sinesis Palmer, an endangered quillwort. Wuhan University Journal of Natural Sciences 11 (3): 694~698.

60) J. -M. Chen, Gituru Wahiti Robert, Y. -H. Wang, and Q. -F. Wang The extent of clonality

and genetic diversity in the rare Caldesiagrandis (Alismataceae): comparative results for RAPD and ISSR markers. Aquatic Botany 84: 301~307. (March, 2006)

61) Wang J. Y., Gituru Wahiti Robert, and Wang, Q. F. (December, 2005) Ecology and

conservation of the endangered quillwort Isoetes sinensis. Journal of Natural History 39 (48): 4069~4079.

62) Y-H. Dong, Gituru Wahiti Robert, J-M. Chen and Q-F. Wang (December, 2005). Effect

of habitat modification on the distribution of the endangered aquatic fern

Curriculum Vitae of Prof. Robert Wahiti Gituru

Ceratopteris thalictroides (Parkeriaceae).Journal of Fresh Water Ecology 20: (4).

63) J. -M. Chen, Xing L., Wang J. -Y., Gituru Wahiti Robert, and Q. -F. Wang (June 2005) Genetic variation within the endangered quillwort Isoëtes hypsophila (Isoetaceae) as evidenced by ISSR analysis Aquatic Botany 82, (2) 89-98.

64) S. -G. Sun, Y. –H Guo, Gituru Wahiti Robert and S. -Q. Huang (March 2005) Corolla

wilting facilitates delayed autonomous self-pollination in Pedicularis dunniana (Orobanchaceae). Plant Systematics and Evolution. 251, (2-4): 229 – 237.

65) Chen J. -M, Wang J. -Y., Liu X., Gituru Wahiti Robert, and Wang Q. -F (April 2005) RAPD

Analysis for Genetic Variation within the Endangered Quillwort Isoetes hypsophila (Isoetaceae) Wuhan University Journal of Natural Sciences.10 (2) 455-459.

66) S.-Q. Huang, Guo Y. -H., Gituru Wahiti Robert, Y. -H. Shi, and Kun Sun (2001).

Pollination mechanism in Najas marina (Najadaceae). Aquatic Botany 70: 67~78.

67) Xing L., Gituru Wahiti Robert, and Q. -F. Wang (2004) Distribution of basic diploid and polyploid species of Isoetes in East Asia. Journal of Biogeography. 31, 1239-1250.

68) J. - M. Chen, Gituru Wahiti Robert, and Q. -F. Wang (2004) Evolution of aquatic life -

forms in Alismatidae: Phylogenetic estimation from chloroplast rbcL sequence data. Israel Journal of Plant Sciences, 52(4) 323-329.

69) Wang Y., Wang Q. -F., Gituru Wahiti Robert, and Guo Y. -H. (2001). Karyotypical

studies of Caldesia grandis Samuel., A rare and endangered plant in China. Journal of Wuhan Botanical Research. 19(3): 187~190.

70) Gituru Wahiti Robert, Wang Q. -F., Wang Y. and Guo Y. -H. (20--) Report on the

prospects for conservation and sustainable exploitation of aloes (Aloaceae) in Kenya. Proceedings of the 9th Chinese Young Scientists Conference on Systematic and Evolutionary Biology. (In press)

71) Gituru Wahiti Robert, Wang Q. -F., (20--). Adaptive Significance of Variations in Nectar Robbing Behaviour of Male and Female Carpenter Bees on Glechoma longituba. Biological Journal of the Linnaean Society. (Under review)

72) Wang Y., Wang Q.-F., Guo Y.-H., and Gituru Wahiti Robert (2001). Chromosome

number of Ranunculus ternatusThunb. (Ranunculaceae) from Jiujiang New Park, Jangxi. Acta Phytotaxonomica Sinica. 39 (6): 523~525.

73) Yang C. -F., Guo Y. -H., Gituru Wahiti Robert, and Sun S. -G. (2002). Variation in Stigma

morphology --How does it contribute to pollination adaptation in Pedicularis

Curriculum Vitae of Prof. Robert Wahiti Gituru

(Orobanchaceae)? Plant Systematics and Evolution. 236 1-2, 89-98.

74) Wang Y., Wang Q. -F., Gituru Wahiti Robert and Guo Y. -H. (2004). A New species of Asarum (Aristolochiaceae) from China. Novon. 14: 239-241.

75) Pang X-A, Wang Q-F, Gituru Wahiti Robert and Liu H. (2003). A preliminary study of

crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) in the endangered aquatic quillwort Isoetes sinensisPalmer. Wuhan University Journal of Natural Sciences. 8 (2A): 455~458

76) Ya-Dong Zhou, Guang-Wan Hu, Xue Yan, Geoffrey Mwachala, Robert Wahiti Gituru, Qing-Feng Wang. Sedum keniense, a new species of Crassulaceae from Mt. Kenya, East Africa. Phytotaxa (in Print) (Already accepted for publication in PHYTOTAXA journal. Editors decision communicated to author via email on 19th April 2016; copy of email message attached)

10. Research Tools Utilized

DNA, RNA, protein and enzyme extraction, purification and analysis Molecular marker techniques (RAPD, RFLP, Microsatellite, AFLP and SSCP)

Polymerase Chain Reaction PAGE and Agarose Electrophoresis Autoradiography DNA cloning, transformation and screening of recombinants Gene characterization and sequencing Herbarium techniques

11. Software Knowledge

Phylogenetics: NONA, WINCLADA, PHYLIP, PAUP Statistics: NTsys& SPSS Genetic Diversity: POPGENE

12. Field Experience Central, Eastern, western, coastal and Northern Kenya Eastern Uganda Central, Eastern and Southern China

13. Awards Received 1. In 2014 Prof. Gituru was listed in 31st Edition of the prestigious ‘Marquis Who’s

Who in the World ’publication in recognition of his contribution in the field of plant

biosystematics research.

2. 2005 - UNESCO/CSC awarded as a senior scholar in Wuhan University, China to carry out post doctorate plant biodiversity research.

3. 1999 Prof. -awarded a full scholarship by China Scholarship Council to study PhD in plant biosystematics in Wuhan University, China.

4. 1992 - Awarded full scholarship by Kenyatta University to study MSc in plant biosystematics

Curriculum Vitae of Prof. Robert Wahiti Gituru

5. 1987 - Awarded full scholarship by Kenyatta University to study B.Ed. (science) in

botany and zoology.

14. Participation in key forums Prof Gituru has participated in numerous key forums notably: 1. Participated as the sole participant from the African continent at the National

Congress of Chinese Botanists at the Botanical Institute of Nanjing, Nanjing City,

China and gave a presentation on “A biosystematic investigation of variation within

Cissus quadrangularis L. (Vitaceae) in Kenya”. (oral presentation)

2. Key note speaker in the 2019 Association of National Scientific Organizations

(ANSO) conference on “Biodiversity in drylands and wetlands: Challenges and

opportunities in the 21st Century” Held on 4th -6th September, 2019.

3. International Conference on Photonics and Imaging in Agricultural Engineering held

in Sanya, China in January 27-28, 2013. Topic presented: - Genetic structure and

gene flow in the endangered aquatic plant Brasenia schreberi J. F. Gmel

(Nymphaeaceae) (poster from publication with same title; with Dong Yuan Huo)

MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL BODIES

Prof Gituru is a Member of the Kenya National Academy of Sciences (KNAS) and the East Africa

Natural History Society (EANHS). He is also a member (Africa Region) of the working group of

the Association of National Scientific Organizations (ANSO). Prof. Gituru is also a long-serving

visiting professor of Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences (WBGCAS).