About Me
Dr. Odongo Oduor Joseph
Biosafety, Biosecurity & Biotechnology Specialist
Professional Biography
Dr. Odongo Oduor Joseph is a Senior Biosafety, Biosecurity, and Biotechnology Specialist with over 12 years of cross-sector experience in programme management, donor engagement, regulatory coordination, and partnership building across government, research institutions, and international agencies.
Currently serving as Principal Biosafety Officer at the the regulatory authority, Dr. Odongo leads national GMO surveillance, AI-enabled inspection workflows, and synthetic biology safety frameworks. He holds a PhD in Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology from Maseno University, and has pioneered the integration of machine learning, ontology development, and predictive analytics into biosafety regulatory systems.
His work spans biosafety regulation, molecular diagnostics, AI/ML integration in life sciences, bioinformatics, and computational biology. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and contributed chapters to international books on nanotechnology and environmental engineering.
Dr. Odongo is passionate about African-led innovation, AI-biosecurity intersections, and building capacity for science-based policy across the continent.
Skills & Competencies
Professional Experience
Biosafety Officer
- Lead and mentor a team of 5–15 biosafety officers for national GMO surveillance, inspections, and compliance audits
- Operationalized AI-enabled GMO testing workflows, predictive biosurveillance analytics, and DNA barcoding pipelines
- Developed ontology-driven biosafety and AI-assisted inspection tools for automated decision support
- Oversee cross-agency inspections at border points and regional OSBPs (EAC)
- Publish and present research on synthetic biology safety, AI × biosecurity, and molecular diagnostics
Consultant – Safe AI Adoption
- Provided consultancy on safe and ethical AI adoption for critical infrastructure
- Advised on AI integration strategies for biosurveillance and laboratory automation platforms
- Contributed to policy and risk mitigation recommendations for AI deployments
- Supported development of AI-enabled decision-support systems for biosecurity
Research Assistant
- Conducted HIV-1 viral load assays and PCR-based sequencing of EBV genes
- Coordinated sample shipment and sequencing collaborations with Netherlands laboratories
- Designed and implemented inventory management systems and automated lab workflows
- Supported early computational biology workflows, including BLAST analysis and molecular dataset curation
Education
PhD in Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology
Maseno University
M.Sc. in Applied Microbiology
Periyar University
B.Sc. in Microbiology
Periyar University
Diploma in Computer Applications
Indian Institute of Computer Science
Certifications & Training
Strategic Leadership Development Program
Kenya School of Government · 2025
Professional Course in Data Science & AI
Open University of Kenya · 2025
Introduction to Biosecurity
Oxford Biosecurity Group UK · 2025
Joint Operation Centers Operators Course
UNODC GMCP · 2025
Adoption of Biotechnology and Science-based Agriculture Policy
A&M University / Norman Borlaug Institute, Texas USA · 2024
Cochran Fellowship Program – Science-Based Policy
USDA · 2024
Data Science – Business Application Certificate
CPD Standards Accreditation UK · 2023
Machine Learning Certificate
CPD Standards Accreditation UK · 2023
Senior Management Course
Kenya School of Government · 2021
Biosafety Risk Management and Communication
FAO · 2018
Professional Membership
Biorisk Management Association of Kenya
Active Member