Dr. Mueni Mulwa, a dedicated Computational Physics Lecturer at Egerton University, is making significant strides in Kenya's STEM landscape. In 2019, she won a Kenya Education Network (KENET) Computational Modelling and Materials Sciences (CMMS) innovation grant worth Kes. 1.5 million. This was to support her research on Density Functional Theory investigation of possible Fe2 P-type materials for near-room temperature refrigeration. Her journey, fueled by passion, mentorship, and the timely support of the KENET, Dr. Mulwa has not only established the university’s first Computational Laboratory but also shaped the future of many aspiring physicists.
Dr. Mulwa’s journey into density functional theory (DFT) and its application to materials science began with uncertainty but soon evolved into a passion. After completing her undergraduate studies, she was introduced to DFT by her supervisors, Prof. George Amollo and Dr. Nicholas Makao. Despite initial reservations about her computational skills, she was encouraged to delve into this new field. “I didn’t have the money for experimental research, but I felt that venturing into a new field in physics would open doors to fertile grants and opportunities,” she explains. Her decision proved fruitful, leading her to numerous conferences and workshops where she further honed her skills and solidified her interest in DFT. It was through Prof. George Amollo that she first learned about the KENET Innovation Grants
