Dr. Stephen Maina Gitahi

Position: Lecturer

Department: Natural Sciences (Biology)

Specialisation: Medical Biotechnology; bioscreening of medicinal plant extracts against pyrexia, nociception, inflammation, diabetes, oxidative stress and cancer

Email: sgitahi@cuea.edu

Dr. Stephen Maina Gitahi holds a B.Ed. (Science) from Mt. Kenya University and an MSc and PhD in Biotechnology from Kenyatta University. He has over six years of teaching and research experience and over 15 publications in international peer-reviewed journals. He is a Biology lecturer in the Department of Natural Science at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. His research interests are in Medical Biotechnology, with a strong bias towards bioscreening of medicinal plant extracts against pyrexia, nociception, and inflammation, as well as diabetes, oxidative stress, and cancer. He also researches the possible role of herbal extracts in storage pest control and overcoming biotic constraints on food production.

Research interests: Pyrexia and Nociception Control; Anti-inflammatory Research; Natural Pesticides Development; Diabetes and Oxidative Stress; Cancer Research; Dr. Stephen Maina Gitahi is a highly accomplished biotechnologist with over six years of teaching and research experience. His extensive publication record of over 15 papers in international peer-reviewed journals demonstrates his significant contributions to medical biotechnology and natural products research.; His research focuses on bioscreening medicinal plant extracts for therapeutic effects, including treatment of pyrexia, nociception, inflammation, diabetes, oxidative stress, and cancer. Dr. Gitahi's work bridges traditional medicine and modern scientific validation, providing evidence-based support for natural remedies.; Dr. Gitahi has made groundbreaking contributions to agricultural biotechnology through his research on plant-based pest control. His work on natural pesticides from Tithonia diversifolia and Vernonia lasiopus offers sustainable alternatives to chemical pesticides, addressing both food security and environmental concerns.

Gitahi, D. S. M. (2021). Contact Toxicity Effects of Selected Organic Leaf Extracts of Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray and Vernonia lasiopus (O. Hoffman) against Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). International Journal of Zoology. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/8814504

Gitahi, D. S. M. (2021). Antinociceptive potential of methanol leaf extracts of Cissampelos parreira (Linn), Lantana camara (Linn) and Ocimum gratissimum (African Basil). Journal of Advanced Biotechnology and Experimental Therapeutics. https://doi.org/10.5455/jabet.2021.d135

Gitahi, D. S. M. (2021). Repellent Effects of Selected Organic Leaf Extracts of Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray and Vernonia lasiopus (O. Hoffman) against Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). The Scientific World JOURNAL. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/2718629

Gitahi, D. S. M. (2018). Bioefficacy of Selected Plant Extracts against Sitophilus zeamais on Post-Harvest Management of Zea mays. The Journal of Phytopharmacology. https://doi.org/10.31254/phyto.2018.7406

Gitahi, D. S. M. (2016). In Vitro Anti-Acetylcholinesterase Activity of Dichloromethane Leaf Extracts of Carphalea glaucescens in Chilo partellus Larvae.

Gitahi, D. S. M. (2015). Antipyretic Properties of Dichloromethane: Methanolic Leaf and Root Bark Extracts of Carissa edulis in Rats. Asian journal of biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences. https://doi.org/10.15272/ajbps.v5i43.681

Gitahi, D. S. M. (2015). In Vitro Anti Acetylcholinesterase Activity of Crude Fruits Sap Extract of Solanum incanum in Green Peach Aphids.

Gitahi, D. S. M. (2015). Bio Efficacy of Aqueous Crude Fruit Sap Extract of Solanum incanum against Green Peach Aphids Myzus persicae Sulzer (Homoptera: Aphididae).

Gitahi, D. S. M. (2015). Analgesic properties of acetone leaf extract of Caesalpinia volkensii in mice.

Gitahi, D. S. M. (2015). Determination of Hematological Effects of Methanolic Leaf Extract of Vernonia lasiopus in Normal Mice. Journal of Blood & Lymph. https://doi.org/10.4172/2165-7831.1000139

Gitahi, D. S. M. (2015). Antinociceptive Properties of Dichloromethane: Methanolic Leaf Extracts of Caesalpinia volkensii and Maytenus obscura in Animal Models.

Gitahi, D. S. M. (2015). Protective Effects of Urtica dioica and Cimetidine on Liver Function Following Acetaminophen Induced Hepatotoxicity in Mice. Journal of Developing Drugs. https://doi.org/10.4172/2329-6631.1000130

Gitahi, D. S. M. (2015). Hypoglycemic activity and safety of aqueous stem bark extracts of Acacia nilotica. Journal of Drug Metabolism & Toxicology. https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-7609.1000189

Gitahi, D. S. M. (2015). Anti-inflammatory Properties of Dichloromethane: Methanolic Leaf Extracts of Caesalpinia Volkensii and Maytenus Obscura in Animal Models.

Gitahi, D. S. M. (2015). Antinociceptive properties of dichloromethane: methanolic leaf and root bark extracts of Carissa edulis in rats. The Journal of Phytopharmacology. https://doi.org/10.31254/phyto.2015.4209

Gitahi, D. S. M. (2015). In-Vivo antidiabetic activity and safety of the aqueous stem bark extract of Kleinia squarrosa. Journal of Diabetes & Metabolism. https://doi.org/10.4172/2155-6156.1000601