WAFULA MICHAEL WEKESA

P.O. BOX 632-00618 NAIROBI, KENYA | +254796370474 | wwekesa08@gmail.com

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RESEARCH INTERESTS

Application of GIS and geospatial technologies in environmental health and climate change.
Resource planning using GIS.
Mapping ground water surface and water quality mapping.
Society and human mobility data geospatial analysis.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Proficient in GIS software like AutoCAD, ArcGIS Pro, ArcMap, QGIS, ERDAS, etc.
Competent in Spatiotemporal data analysis and spatial statistics.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Motivated in a target-driven environment.
Knowledgeable in Google Earth Engine (GEE) for satellite image processing.
Proficient in Python, R, and JavaScript programming languages.
R Shiny Apps and Web Mapping Applications.
Knowledgeable in the application of GIS and RS in Health, epidemiological studies.
Knowledgeable in Synthetic Aperture Radar(SAR) and its application areas (Land Subsidence, Agriculture, Land Deformations, etc)

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science in Geospatial Information Science

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology | Nairobi - Kenya

September 2016 – June 2022 | Grade: Second class honors Upper division

Bachelor’s Thesis Title: Spatiotemporal Variation of Seaweed Distribution Along the Kenyan South Coast

SHORT COURSES

Certificates in Computer Programming Python language, Image processing, and recognition in OpenCV and python

Psalmart Tech | Nairobi, Kenya

August 2020 - November 2020 | Grade Achieved: Distinction

Certificate in Google IT Automation Python

Coursera Google course

June 2023 – August 2023

Crash Course on Python
Using Python to Interact with the Operating System
Introduction to Git and GitHub
Troubleshooting and Debugging Techniques
Configuration Management and the Cloud
Automating Real-World Tasks with Python

WORK EXPERIENCE

Head of Section GIS and Remote Sensing

Regional center for mapping of resources for development (RCMRD)

October 2024 – Present

Support in the implementation of the GIS and RS corporate training. Overseeing GIS and Remote sensing Curricula development and reviewing.

GIS Specialist, Assistant Researcher, and Trainer

Regional center for mapping of resources for development (RCMRD)

April 2023 – Present

Conducting Remote sensing and Photogrammetry, GIS, AutoCAD, and Cartography research and training analysis
Supporting curriculum development for GIS and Remote sensing corporate courses
Tutoring Python, R, and Google Earth Engine to corporate students.

GIS Specialist | Ground Water Potential Mapping for Somalia

Regional center for mapping of resources for development (RCMRD)

June 2024 – April 2025

Roles: Gound water mapping, spatial analysis and Building geoportal for reporting Ground water in Somalia

GIS Specialist and Programmer | Earth Observation pathway for SDG indicator 6.3.2

GEO Aqua Watch implementing party within the WWQA (World Water Quality Alliance) within the United Nations Environment Program

January 2024 – December 2024

Training Intern

Regional Center for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) | Nairobi, Kenya

January 2023 – March 2023

Tutoring in Remote sensing and GIS at RCTI
Collection and analysis of geospatial data from openly available resources for training and capacity development.
Focus on the use of Earth Observation for extraction of information, e.g., spectral indices, land use, and land cover classification. GIS and Remote sensing Corporate professional training.

GIS field Assistant

Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) | Nairobi, Kenya

January 2021 – July 2021

Roles: Utilization of the mobile GIS to collect geocoded data points of the KPLC utilities for better monitoring and maintenance. Data collection involved field Maps application, a product of ESRI. The aim was to link utilities to the location for better monitoring and quick repair in case of destruction.

WORKSHOP TRAINING

Forest Data Training workshop

The East and Southern Africa Forest Observatory (OFESA) | Hosted in RCMRD | May 15 - May 19, 2023

Training workshop on Assessing Ecosystem Health using Copernicus Marine Data

Jointly organized by Copernicus, the Copernicus Marine Service, Mercator Ocean International, and Gopacon | September 7 - September 8, 2023 | Certificate issued

Training workshop on How to Use the Dynamic World for Mapping and Monitoring Land Cover

Processing and application of the Dynamic world datasets using Google Earth Engine cloud platform | Trained by SpatialThoughts | September 18 - September 22, 2023 | Certificate issued

GIS and Remote sensing integration to Machine learning and AI workshop

Hosted in RCMRD | Organized by RCMRD during Regional International Conference (RIC) | September 12 – August 15,2024

Roles: Lead Trainer

POSITIONS HELD

Chairperson

Association of Geomatics and Geospatial Engineering Society (AGGES) | Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

July 2019 - April 2020

Co-founder and President

Google Earth Engine Developer Community Kenya

December 2022 – Present

Our Responsibility: Conduct Monthly training on the Google Earth Engine for Satellite Imagery Acquisition and Processing | Participate in GIS and Remote Sensing Community projects, including land use land cover mapping dynamics