Designation
Dean - Research, Innovation and Outreach/ Senior Lecturer School of Technology NAC
Staff E-mail Address
mburul@kcau.ac.ke
Academic Qualification
- Ph.D. in Geoinformatics (University of Heidelberg, Germany)
- MSc in Computer-based Information Systems (University of Sunderland, UK)
- PGC and PGD in Computer-based Information Systems (University of Sunderland, UK)
Membership of Professional Bodies/Associations
- Member Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC)
- Member Association for Computing Machinery’s Special Interest Group on Computer science education (ACM’s SIGCSE)
- Member Kenya Education Networks Special Interest Group on Computer Science and Information Systems (KENET SIGCSIS)
Profile
Dr. Lucy Waruguru Mburu is a senior lecturer and researcher specializing in GIScience, Geospatial Data Science and Information Systems. She holds a Ph.D. in GIScience from the University of Heidelberg in Germany with research focused on predictive crime modeling using geographic data.
As the Dean of Research, Innovation and Outreach at KCA University, Dr. Mburu leads strategic research initiatives and promotes technology transfer and industry-academia collaborations. She has extensive experience in academic leadership, curriculum development and postgraduate supervision and has mentored students in areas such as machine learning for social impact, cybersecurity risk modeling and spatial data applications. Her research interests include artificial intelligence, geospatial analytics, predictive modeling and safe city innovations. She has led and collaborated on projects involving spatial planning, crime mapping, environmental risk assessments and digital systems. She is an active member of professional bodies such as the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) and the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI).
Dr. Mburu has received multiple research grants and awards, including recognition as one of Kenya’s top female researchers in Computer Science. She has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals. She also plays a key role in global research collaborations, including the Kenya-Norway Mobility Program and Sustainable Jamii Association initiatives.
Keywords: GIScience, Geospatial Data Science, Spatial Analysis, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Urban Safety, Predictive Modeling, Digital Transformation, Higher Education, Research Leadership, Technology Transfer, Industry-Academia Collaboration.
Selected Publications: Books, Refereed publications & Non Refereed publications
- Omol, E.J., Mburu, L.W. and Abuonji, P.A. (2024), “Digital Maturity Assessment Model (DMAM): assimilation of Design Science Research (DSR) and Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI)”, Digital Transformation and Society, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/DTS-04-2024-0049
- Omol, E., Mburu, L., & Onyango, D. (2024). Anomaly Detection In IoT Sensor Data Using Machine Learning Techniques For Predictive Maintenance In Smart Grids. International Journal of Science, Technology & Management, 5(1), 201-210. https://doi.org/10.46729/ijstm.v5i1.1028
- Omol, E., Mburu, L., & Abuonji, P. (2024). Unlocking Digital Transformation: The Pivotal Role of Data Analytics and Business Intelligence Strategies. International Journal of Knowledge Content Development & Technology, 14(3), 77-91. https://journals.sfu.ca/ijkcdt/index.php/ijkcdt/article/view/983
- Omol, E., Onyangor, D., Mburu, L., & Abuonji, P. (2024). Application Of K-Means Clustering For Customer Segmentation In Grocery Stores In Kenya. International Journal of Science, Technology & Management, 5(1), 192-200. https://doi.org/10.46729/ijstm.v5i1.1024
- Omol, E. J., Onyango, D. A., Mburu, L. W., & Abuonji, P. A. (2024). Apriori Algorithm and Market Basket Analysis to Uncover Consumer Buying Patterns: Case of a Kenyan Supermarket (2024). Buana Information Technology and Computer Sciences (BIT and CS), 5(2), 51-63. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/381302082_Apriori_Algorithm_and_Market_Basket_Analysis_to_Uncover_Consumer_Buying_Patterns_Case_of_a_Kenyan_Supermarket
- Omol, E., Mburu, L., & Abuonji, P. (2024). Pioneering digital transformation in Africa: the path to maturity amidst unique challenges and opportunities. Can. J. Bus. Inf. Stud, 6(2), 35-48. https://doi.org/10.34104/cjbis.024.035048
- Héritier Nsenge, M., Lucy Waruguru, M., & Simon Nyaga, M. (2023). Exploratory factor analysis of congolese information technology graduates’ employability: towards sustainable employment. SAGE Open, 13(4). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440231210109
- Mpia, H. N., Mburu, L. W., & Mwendia, S. N. (2023). CoBERT: A Contextual BERT model for recommending employability profiles of information technology students in unstable developing countries. Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence, 125, 106728. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engappai.2023.106728
- Kanyambu, F., & Waruguru, L. (2023). Modelling Credit Risk using System Dynamics: The case of Licensed Credit Reference Bureaus in Kenya. Computers and Informatics, 3(1), 47-56. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/2966774
- Mpia, H.N., Mburu, L.W. & Mwendia, S.N. (2023) Applying Data Mining in Graduates Employability A Systematic Literature Review. International Journal of Engineering Pedagogy (iJEP), 13(2). https://doi.org/10.3991/ijep.v13i2.33643
- Ondiek, B., Waruguru, L., & Njenga, S. (2023). Recommender System for STEM Enrolment in Universities Using Machine Learning Algorithms: Case of Kenyan Universities. International Journal of Science, Technology & Management, 4(6), 1465-1476. https://doi.org/10.46729/ijstm.v4i6.1009
- Mpia, H.N., Mwendia, S.N. & Mburu, L. W. (2022) Predicting Employability of Congolese Information Technology Graduates Using Contextual Factors: Towards Sustainable Employability. Sustainability, 14(20). https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013001
- Mburu, L., & Helbich, M. (2016). Environmental Risk Factors Influencing Bicycle Theft: A Spatial Analysis in London, UK. PLoS ONE. 11(9); https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0163354
- Li, M., Sagl, G., Mburu, L. & Fan, H. (2016). A contextualized and personalized model to predict user interest using location-based social networks. Computers, Environment and Urban Systems. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0198971516300357
- Mburu, L. & Bakillah, M. (2016). Modeling Spatial Interactions between Areas to Assess the Burglary Risk. ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information. 5(4), 47. https://www.mdpi.com/2220-9964/5/4/47
- Mburu, L., & Helbich, M. (2015). Communities as Neighborhood Guardians: A Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Community Policing in Nairobi Suburbs. Applied Spatial Analysis and Policy, 1-22. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12061-015-9178-7
Research Interest
- Geo-computation
- Spatial analysis
- Information management
- Geographic Information Systems
- Inter-Disciplinary research
Conferences & Chapters
- Kangéthe, G., & Mburu, L. W. (2023, June). Evaluating the Efficacy of Elearning in Higher Educational Institutions using Educational Data Mining. In 2023 IEEE International Conference on Engineering, Technology and Innovation (ICE/ITMC) (pp. 1-6). IEEE. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10332379
- Kageche, J.W. & Mburu L.W. (2021). Geo-Fencing Model for Real-time Querying of Land Status in Njoro, Kenya. Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Engineering, Technology and Innovation (ICE/ITMC). https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9570211
- Mburu, L. W., Karanja, R., & Nyaga, S. M. (2020). A Knowledge-as-a-Service Support Framework for Ambient Learning in Kenya. Proceedings of the 13th IADIS International Conference Information Systems 2020, Utrecht, the Netherlands. https://www.iadisportal.org/digital-library/a-knowledge-as-a-service-support-framework-for-ambient-learning-in-kenya
- Rumbe, G.O. & Mburu, L. (2019). An Integrated Information Systems Adoption Model for Businesses in Kajiado, Kenya. Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Engineering, Technology and Innovation (ICE/ITMC). https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8792594
- Mburu, L. (1997). Applying User-Centered Interface Design Methods to Improve the Usability of an Electronic Prescription System. MSc. Project Dissertation. https://dissertation.com/books/1612334148
Research Grants
- Kenya-Norway Mobility Programme to advance Computer Science at KCA University, Kenya and University of Stavanger, Norway (2018)
- KENET International Conference Travel Grants (2019, 2020, 2022, 2023)
- Postdoctoral Research Visit grant by The World Academy of Sciences and the German Research Foundation (2024)
- Dialogue on Innovative Higher Education Strategies (DIES) grant to participate in International Deans’ Course Africa (2025)
Research Quality
- Google Scholar Citations: 242
- h-index: 9
- i10-index: 9
- Reads: 17,887
Consultancy and Training
- Business process modeling System dynamics modeling Advances in databases
- Database integration Scholarly writing
International Outlook
- Collaborative Research Visit at TU Dortmund University (May-Aug 2024)
Awards and Recognitions
- Recognition by the Kenya Education Networks as third top female researcher in the Special Interest Group (SIG) Computer Science based on the number of publications
- Recognition for Outstanding Research & Innovation at the KCA University Graduation
Media Presence and Public Engagement
Social Media and Academic Networking Tools
