Vincent O. Onywera, PhD

Professor Vincent O. Onywera is the Pioneer Deputy Vice Chancellor Research, Innovation and Outreach at KCA University, Nairobi, Kenya. He is a Professor of Exercise and Sports Science with over twenty-two (22) years of teaching and research experience, twelve (12) of which he has served at senior level in University Management. He holds a PhD (Exercise and Sports Science) where his research focus was on the role of genetics, nutrition and sociocultural factors in explaining the phenomenon performance of Kenyan middle and distance runners, M.Ed in Physical and Health Education and a Bachelor of Education (First Class Honors) in Physical and Health Education from Kenyatta University. He is a Physical Activity and Active Transport Researcher with extensive national and international research networks. Vincent has worked as the Director of the Center for International Programmes and Collaboration at Kenyatta University. He has served as the pioneer Registrar in-charge of Research, Innovation and Outreach at Kenyatta University for more than 8 years. He is a former Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor Research, Innovation and Outreach at Kenyatta University. Prof.Onywera was instrumental in the establishment of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Academy at Kenyatta University as well as the establishment of the blueprint for a Kenyatta University Sports Complex complete with a stadium and recreation centre. Vincent has published over 165 publications comprising 120 articles in refereed journals, 3 book chapters, 4 conference proceedings, and 35 conference abstracts. He has competitively secured large research and development grants from various international funding agencies. Vincent is involved in a number of national, regional and international academic endevours aimed at capacity building, surveillance and research focusing on healthy active living in Africa. He is a member of several professional bodies such the International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE); American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), International Physical Activity and the Environment Network (IPEN); International Council for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance (ICHPER·SD) Research; Canadian Obesity Network; physical activity, sports and health for development in Africa (PASHDA) just to mention a few. He currently is a peer reviewer for many international indexed journals. Vincent is a mentor, academic advisor and supervisor to several undergraduate and graduate students in African and beyond.

He brings valuable experience, passion, vigor and energy to the CATCH Global Foundation as a champion of healthy active living research, policy and practice.