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Barnabas Gikonyo Ph.D.
Barnabas Gikonyo’s true life stories and an infectious ‘stay happy’ attitude continue to inspire many across the globe. In fact, the success of the first book (Stay Happy Children’s stories, book 1...view moreBarnabas Gikonyo’s true life stories and an infectious ‘stay happy’ attitude continue to inspire many across the globe. In fact, the success of the first book (Stay Happy Children’s stories, book 1) encouraged him to publish this second book to keep inspiring many yearning hearts for generations to come.
Having grown up in the farming communities in Kenya, he learned most of his foundational principles from his everyday activities and, being a very adventurous kid he generated a repertoire of true life adventure stories that have left many, irrespective of age, craving to hear more.
Perhaps the greater paradox is his educational and research experiences; in sciences. He truly stands out as a graceful talent in multiple fields. He graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Illinois (2007) with a Ph.D. in organic and materials chemistry after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and biochemistry at Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya. As a full time lecturer and SUNY Geneseo, NY, he has taught organic and general chemistry classes plus corresponding laboratories, and oversees the running of general chemistry labs. His research interests range from application of various polymeric materials as "biomaterial bridging surfaces" for the repair of spinal cord injuries to the use of osteoconductive cements for the repair of critical sized bone defects/fractures to pretreatment of hemp and fiber quality analysis to development of alternative/non-food biofuels. He has published several books on renewable energy with Apple Academic publishing company; 1) “Efficacy and sustainability in biofuel production, environmental and land use research; 2) Sugarcane as biofuel feedstock, Advances toward a sustainable energy solution; 3) “Fuel production from non-food biomass; corn stover, 4) Advances in Biofuel Production: Algae and Aquatic Plants. Most recently, he just published his first children’s story book; “Stay Happy Children’s stories. Book 1” through Xlibris publishing (Sep 2021).
He is involved in STEM (Science, Engineering, Technology and Math) initiatives at the university aimed at helping increase enrollment and retention of students from underrepresented groups in STEM fields. He, in collaboration with local teachers and instructors has helped develop mentorship programs that continue to positively impact, inspire and encourage students from underrepresented groups in STEM fields.
Notwithstanding being an instructor, faculty mentor, award winning motivational speaker, (he previously gave a TEDx talk titled “The 7 Steps Towards Achieving Seemingly Impossible Dreams' through SUNY Geneseo TEDx), Barnabas is an avid golfer and poet. He is probably known best for his uplifting and original phrase, “Stay happy, you have incredible value.”
These series of “Stay Happy” children’s books are not only based on his true life experiences, but they are also a selection from thousands of bed time stories he shared with his own daughter every night from the ages of about 2 to 7 years. Stay happy, you have incredible value. Barnabas Gikonyo Ph.D.view less