Jane Macharia
- Graduate Member, Cambridge Heritage Research Centre
- PhD Student in Archaeology
Contact
About
Jane Muthoni Macharia is a Kenyan research scientist specializing in insect pollinator biodiversity with special reference to the conservation of insect diversity in agricultural and heritage landscapes. She has over a decade of professional experience in pollination ecology, field survey methods, insect curation, and community training. Jane currently serves at the National Museums of Kenya within the Centre for Bee Biology & Pollination Ecology and is pursuing her PhD at the University of Cambridge, where her research examines how archaeological and culturally significant landscapes can function as refugia for pollinator biodiversity. She actively collaborates with international organisations and local communities to promote sustainable beekeeping and pollinator-friendly agricultural practices that enhance both ecological and livelihood outcomes.
Research
Jane’s research interests lie in pollinator ecology, conservation of insect biodiversity, Indigenous Ecological Knowledge and the intersection of cultural heritage landscapes with ecological resilience. She studies how land use, vegetation structure, and Indigenous Ecological Knowledge influence bee communities in protected and non-protected ecosystems. She is also interested in bio- cultural management of ecosystems. She applies both field-based and community-engaged research to support biodiversity conservation and improve local livelihoods.
Publications
Macharia, J. M., & Ndiritu, G. G. (2025). Habitats Heterogeneity Affects Bee Species Assemblage in an Urban Green Space: A Case Study of Nairobi Museum Botanic Garden, Kenya.
Bett, T., Kiprono, S. J., Macharia, J., John Kochey, K., Agevi, H., Ondigo, B. N., ... & Kimoloi, S. (2025). Nest ecology, architecture, and behaviour of the stingless bee (Meliponula beccarii) in Baringo County, Kenya. Journal of Apicultural Research, 1-11.
Jane, M. M., Mary, W. G., Rebecca, K., & Sheila, O. (2025). Managed bees as pollinators and vectors of bio control agent against grey mold disease in strawberry plantations.Stingless Beekeeping in Uganda: An Industry in Its Infancy
Dzekashu, F. F., Peters, M. K., Steffan-Dewenter, I., Macharia, J. M., Matheka, K. W., Yusuf, A. A., ... & Lattorff, H. M. G. (2025). Plants and Bee Visitors in the Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot of Kenya, East Africa. Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America, 106(1), 1-6.
Chemurot, M., Otim, A.S., Namayanja, D., Onen, H., Angiro, C., Mugume, R., Kajobe, R., Macharia, J., Gikungu, M., Abila, P.P. and Kasangaki, P., 2021. Stingless beekeeping in Uganda: an industry in its infancy. African Entomology, 29(1), pp.165-172.
Teaching and supervision
Primary Supervisor: Dr Matthew Davies
POLLEN Project (2024–2025) – Pollinator Observations Linked to Environmental DNA in Mango & Avocado Systems | Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Fund
Role: Project Lead (NMK)
Pollinator Conservation and Land Restoration Activities in Nakuru & Tana Delta (2023–2024)
Roles: Project Lead / Pollinator Taxa Lead
Climate-Smart Beekeeping Initiative (2020–2023) | KCSAP Project
Role: Project Lead