Title/Qualifications: PhD.
Department/Unit/Section: Physics
Position: Lecturer
Area of Specialization: Environmental, Radiation and Nuclear Physics
Research Interest: Radon and Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM), Environmental contaminants, Occupational radiation exposure, Nuclear safety, security, and nuclear communication
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PERSONAL SUMMARY

Dr. Margaret W. Chege holds a Bachelor of Education (Science) degree in Mathematics and Physics from Egerton University and a Master of Science degree in Environmental Physics from Kenyatta University. She obtained her Ph.D. in Environmental and Radiation Physics from Kenyatta University in 2014. Her PhD research focused on mathematical modelling of radionuclide transport and transfer, radon and thoron in mud-walled dwellings, naturally occurring radionuclides in soil, building materials, crops and well water, and heavy metals in well water. Dr. Chege is currently a lecturer in the Department of Physics, Kenyatta University, where she is involved in teaching, research, and supervision of MSc and PhD students. Beyond the classroom, Dr. Chege serves as the patron the Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Youth Network (RPNS-YN), a youth-led CBO that promotes radiation protection and safe and secure use of nuclear technologies.

Key Achievements and Consultancy

  • Keynote Speaker on Radiation protection infrastructure for NORM industries: African perspectives. 11th International Symposium on Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM). October 13-17, 2025, Accra, Ghana
  • Nuclear Front End Webinar Series 1.5: e-Learning Lecture on Conventional Safety and Radiation Protection in the Uranium Production Cycle; Participated as a speaker
  •  African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE) Featured Speaker: Invited expert for the Women Shaping Africa’s Nuclear Landscape Webinar
  •  Regional Capacity building: Instructor for the Inaugural E-Summer School by Newcomers for Nuclear, a capacity-building initiative for African nuclear entrants.
  •  AFCONE Commendation: Officially recognized by the African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE) for distinguished contributions in promoting the safe and secure application of nuclear science and technology across the continent.
  •  International Training and Instruction: Served as a specialized instructor for the IAEA Post-Graduate Educational Course (PGEC) in Radiation Protection and contributed to the IAEA e-learning course on Safety in the Uranium Production Cycle.
  •  NORM and Uranium Sector Engagement: Active involvement in the preparatory organization of the 11th International NORM Symposium and membership in the International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA) NORM Taskl Group,
  •  Policy and Regulatory Support: Actively engaged in the State Department for Science,Research and Innovation for drafting the Kenya Nuclear Science and Technology Policy and the Atomic Energy Agency Bill, as well as supporting the KNRA-IAEA ORPAS Mission.
  •  Gender Advocacy: Active member of the Women in Nuclear (WiN) Innovation and Security Groups of Expertise, promoting diverse participation in nuclear policymaking.

Publications

  • R. Trevisi, T. Bituh, A. Canoba, M. Chege, A. Cordelle, D. Chambers, N.Chambers, P. Egidi, R. Gellermann, F. Grandia, J. Hondros, C. Kunze1, J. Lee1,B. Michalik, F. Otoo, S. Pepin, K. N. Rovenska, R. Sapoi, P. Tchokossa, and O.van Dongen, (2025). Overview of national regulatory approaches to assessworker’s exposure to radon in industries involving NORM. The European Physical Journal Plus, 140, 1004 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-025-06837-5
  • Sophy Njoki, Nadir Omar Hashim and Margaret Chege. (2024). Seasonal Variation of Heavy Metal Concentration in Water of Rupingazi River, Kenya. Journal of Natural Sciences Research. 15 (3)
  • Sophy Njoki, Nadir Omar Hashim and Margaret Chege. (2024). Evaluation of Heavy Metal Concentration in Sediments of Rupingazi River, Kenya. International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology. 9, (9) 647-653

  • Collins Omondi, Margaret Chege and Samson Omondi. (2024). Assessment of Occupational Radiation Exposure for Radiotherapy Healthcare Workers at Kenyatta National Hospital Using Thermoluminescence Dosimeter LiF:Mg,Ti; Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection, 12,.7 DOI: 10.4236/gep.2024.127002

  • Collins Omondi, Margaret Chege and Samson Omondi (2024). Evaluation of Dosimetric Impact of Uncertainty of Measurement in Estimating External Radiotherapy Dose. Open Journal of Applied Sciences, 14. (8). DOI:0.4236/ojapps.2024.148130

  • Collins Omondi, Margaret Chege and Samson Omondi, (2024). Evaluation of Air-Kerma and Absorbed Dose to Water for External Radiotherapy Beam Using Ionization Chamber. Open Journal of Radiology, 14, (3) DOI:10.4236/ojrad.2024.143012

  • W.O.G. Odongo, Margaret Chege, S. Tokonami, N. Hashim, C. Kranrod and C.Nyambura, 2021. Radon and thoron exhalation rates from earthen building materials used in high background radiation areas of Homa and Ruri, Kenya,Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 2021; ncab156,
    https://doi.org/10.1093/rpd/ncab156
  •  W.O.G. Odongo, Margaret Chege, N. Hashim, S. Tokonami, K. Chutima and C. Rotich,(2021). Determination of activity concentration of natural radionuclides and radiation hazards' assessment of building materials in high background radiation areas of Homa and Ruri, Kenya, Scientific World Journal, 2021; doi:10.1155/2021/9978619.
  • F.O. Wanjala, N.O. Hashim, D. Otwoma, J. Kebwaro, Margaret Chege, C. Nyambura and C. Atieno, 2021. Lung cancer risk assessment due to radon and thoron exposure in dwellings in Ortum, Kenya. Journal of Environment Pollution and Human Health, 9(2); 64-70.

Conferences

  • Harnessing Nuclear Energy for Africa’s Sustainable Development: International Conference on Nuclear Energy (ICoNE). 24 - 26 March 2026, Nairobi, Kenya

  •  Margaret Chege, Francis Otoo, Estiner W. Katengeza, Asmae Ettoufi, Saidou, Rainer Gellermann6and Jim Hondros. Radiation protection infrastructure for NORM industries: African perspectives. 11th International Symposium on Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM). October 13-17, 2025, Accra, Ghana. International Symposium on Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM). October 13-17, 2025,
    Accra Ghana

  •  Margaret Chege and Felix Wanjala. Seasonal Variation of Real-Time Radon Levels in a Residential Apartment Unit in Kiambu County, Kenya. 16th International Congress of the International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA), July 7–12, 2024, Orlando, Florida, USA

  • Margaret Chege and C. Nyambura. Thoron: The Unrecognized Carcinogen in Earthen Dwellings Typical to Rural Africa and Asia. 9th International Symposium on Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material. 23-27 September 2019, Denver, Colorado, USA
  • Margaret Chege and C. Nyambura. Review of radon and thoron research in Kenya: 1997-2017. 9th International Conference on High Level Environmental Radiation Areas, 24-27 September, 2018, Hirosaki University, Aomori, Japan.
  • Margaret Chege, N.O. Hashim, A.S. Merenga, O. Meisenberg and J. Tschiersch. Thoron exhalation rate and Th-232 content in traditional building materials used in the coastal region of Kenya. 14th International Congress of the International Radiation Protection Association, 9-13 May, 2016, Cape Town, South Africa.
  • Margaret Chege, N.O. Hashim, A.S. Merenga, O. Meisenberg and J. Tschiersch. Estimation of annual effective dose due to radon and thoron concentrations in mud dwellings of Mrima Hill, Kenya. The 9th International Symposium on Natural Radiation Environment, 23 - 26 September, 2014, Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan.
  • Margaret Chege, N.O. Hashim, A.S. Merenga, and J. Tschiersch. Total metal concentration measurement of well water in Mrima Hill region, Kwale County, Kenya. Environmental Health 2013, 3-6 March 2013, Boston, USA.
  • Margaret Chege, N.O. Hashim, A.S. Merenga, O. Meisenberg and J. Tschiersch. Thoron exhalation rate and Th-232 content in traditional building materials used in the coastal region of Kenya. 14 th  International Congress of the International Radiation Protection Association, 9-13 May, 2016, Cape Town, South Africa.
  • Margaret Chege, N.O. Hashim, A.S. Merenga, O. Meisenberg and J. Tschiersch. Estimation of annual effective dose due to radon and thoron concentrations in mud dwellings of MrimaHill, Kenya. The 9 th  International Symposium on Natural Radiation Environment, 23 - 26
    September, 2014, Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan.
  • Margaret Chege, N.O. Hashim, A.S. Merenga, and J. Tschiersch. Total metal concentration measurement of well water in Mrima Hill region, Kwale County, Kenya. Environmental Health 2013, 3-6 March 2013, Boston, USA.

Websites

  1. Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Youth Network (RPNS-YN): https://www.rpns-yn.or.ke/
  2. Physics Blog (Ma-Physics-Kenya); https://www.physics.radonkenya.org/
  3. Kenyan Radon Association (KeRA); https://radonkenya.org/