Jacob Ouya

CAREER OBJECTIVE

I am a dedicated graduate in Fisheries and Aquaculture with four years of academic training from Maseno University, Kenya. My career mission is to leverage my expertise to promote sustainable food and nutrition security through innovative research, training, and capacity building within the blue economy sector.
My career vision is to unlock the potential for productive and sustainable food systems that are ecologically, socially, and economically vibrant. I have championed adaptive agroecological principles that deliver triple wins: sustainable food production, enhanced community resilience, and environmental protection. I bring strong core competencies including timeliness, conceptual thinking, relationship building, commitment, and optimism.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

PrAEctiCe Living Lab 1, Kisumu (September 2025 – March 2026)
Led Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) production initiatives, converting organic waste into high-protein animal feed. This work promoted circular economy models by reducing feed costs, minimizing waste, and generating sustainable inputs for livestock and aquaculture.

WorldFish – FASA Project (August – September 2025)
Under the Development and Scaling of Sustainable Feeds for Resilient Aquatic Food Systems program, conducted field interviews with fish farmers across the Lake Victoria region.

DalAqua Fish Farm (June – August 2025)
Hands-on role involving daily fish feeding, growth monitoring, water quality management, biosecurity, and harvesting operations.

Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) (April – August 2024)
Conducted water quality testing and microbiological analysis in the laboratory, with a focus on coliform bacteria and culturing techniques.
Collaborative Research Project.

Co-led a field study with students from King’s College London on three major threats to Lake Victoria: plastic pollution, hypoxia, and harmful algal blooms. Collaborated to co-design innovative, locally relevant solutions, strengthening expertise in interdisciplinary environmental research and stakeholder engagement.

Applied Research Collaboration - with Dr. Victor Lobanov (Sweden)
Contributed to the project “Enriching BSFL and Artemia Nutritional Profile with DHA.” The study aimed to enhance the nutritional value of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) — a promising local feed ingredient — by supplementing them with DHA-producing thraustochytrids (Aurantiochytrium mangrovei) cultured on low-cost substrates like molasses and vinasse. Key contributions included thraustochytrid biomass production in bucket systems, designing BSFL feeding trials (continuous vs. finisher regimes at 10–30% inclusion levels), and developing Artemia enrichment protocols. Samples were prepared for detailed fatty acid and proximate analysis at the University of Gothenburg (UGOT). This work advanced practical, low-input strategies to improve omega-3 content in insect-based aquafeeds for smallholder farmers in Kenya.

VISION
My long-term goal is to advance resilient, integrated food production systems that combine aquaculture, agriculture, and biotechnology. Through research, capacity building, and strategic international partnerships, I seek to drive innovations that enhance food security, economic opportunities, and environmental sustainability across Africa and beyond.

CONTACT
Phone: +254 708 424 010
Email: [email protected]