Dr. Russell Ben Omondi Ouma is an accomplished academic, researcher, educator and university administrator serving as the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic and Research Affairs (DVCARA) at Mount Kigali University (MKU). He brings extensive experience in higher education, academic leadership, scientific research, university teaching, student mentorship and institutional management, with a strong commitment to advancing academic excellence, research, innovation and postgraduate development.

Before joining MKU, Dr. Ouma served as a lecturer in the Department of Natural Sciences at Mount Kenya University, teaching Chemistry and contributing to research, student supervision and academic development. His administrative leadership includes serving as Deputy Director of MKU Nakuru Campus in 2011 and later Nakuru Campus Director in 2014. He has also served on various university committees and undertaken strategic institutional responsibilities, building extensive expertise in university administration, academic management and institutional development.

Dr. Ouma holds a PhD in Chemistry, with doctoral research focused on in-silico drug design and the characterisation of selected active compounds from the Sapium and Salvia genera as potential anti-cancer agents using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. His research interests include computational chemistry, molecular modelling, computer-aided drug discovery, cancer research, natural products, neglected tropical diseases, and artificial intelligence applications in biomedical sciences. His interdisciplinary research brings together chemistry, computational science, molecular biology and emerging technologies to investigate potential therapeutic compounds and address health challenges.

A prolific researcher, Dr. Ouma has contributed to peer-reviewed research published in international scientific journals, including recent work on artificial intelligence and cancer biology, computational simulation of anticancer compounds, drug candidate assessment, and computational approaches to drug design and metabolism. Beyond research, he is passionate about mentoring emerging scientists, strengthening research capacity and fostering a culture of innovation and evidence-based inquiry. As DVCARA, he brings together his academic, research and leadership experience to support excellence in teaching and learning, strengthen research and postgraduate development, promote interdisciplinary collaboration and advance a research-driven academic environment at Mount Kigali University.

Selected Publications

• Ouma, R. B. O., Ngari, S. M., & Kibet, J. K. (2026). Artificial Intelligence and Prostate–Breast Cancer Biology: Recent Advances in Treatments and Perspectives — A Comprehensive Review. Health Science Reports, 9(3), e72117.
• Ouma, R. B. O., Raza, U., Ngari, S. M., Kibet, J. K., Nisar, U., & Ali, M. W. (2026). Computational Simulation of the Bioactivity of Selected Compounds Derived From the Sapium and Salvias Genera as Anticancer Agents. BioMed Research International, 2026, e4962249.
• Ouma, R. B. O., Raza, U., Ngari, S. M., et al. (2025). Experimental and theoretical assessment of salvianolic acid B, ellagic acid, and phorbol esters as drug candidates against breast and prostate cancer. Discover Chemistry, 2, 352.
• Ouma, R. B. O., Ngari, S. M., & Kibet, J. K. (2024). A review of the current trends in computational approaches in drug design and metabolism. Discover Public Health, 21, 108.
• Chirchir, D. K., Ouma, R. B. O., Cheplogoi, P. K., & Omolo, J. O. (2013). Larvicidal activity of extracellular secondary metabolites from a Stereum species Hill ex Pers. (JO5289) against the dengue fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti (Linn). African Journal of Biotechnology, 12(44), 6302–6309.