School of Science

MACHINE LEARNING BASED CERVICAL CANCER DETECTION MODEL IN WESTERN KENYA

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

MACHINE LEARNING BASED CERVICAL CANCER DETECTION MODEL IN WESTERN KENYA MURERE, JOHN Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Kenyan women, with approximately 3,200 deaths reported annually, driven mainly by low screening uptake (16%) and late diagnosis. The aim of this study was to develop a machine learning based model that would enhance the detection of cervical cancer in Western Kenya, a region that has limited healthcare resources. This study used a cross-sectional study design where data from 968 women were collected, including information on demographics, reproduction, and clinical characteristics. Data was collected from health facilities. The study showed that 93.7% (n = 907) had no biopsy-confirmed abnormalities, while 6.3% (n = 61) had abnormalities. There were five machine learning models (Logistic Regression, Random Forest, Decision Tree, Support Vector Machine, and Artificial Neural Network) that were trained on 70% of the data (training set) and tested on 30% of the data (testing set). The random forest model achieved the highest accuracy (94.33%) and specificity (98.37%), which outperformed the other models and traditional methods like Human papilloma virus (HPV) testing (70-80% specificity) and Pap smear (>90% specificity) for confirming negative cancer cases. The logistic regression model had the highest sensitivity of 70% which was comparable to the Pap-smear method (60-95% sensitivity), but it was lower than the HPV testing, with a sensitivity greater than 90% which makes it suitable for initial cervical cancer screening. The Pap smear results and use of hormonal contraceptives emerged as the key significant predictors of cervical cancer, which supports targeted screening strategies. The findings from this study confirmed there was a significant difference in model performance with partial superiority over existing methods and the influence of key cervical cancer risk factors. The combined approach of using a random forest model for confirmation and logistic regression for screening could optimize cervical cancer screening further in the resource-constrained Western setting. This study has underscored the potential that machine learning has in addressing cervical cancer disparities in Western Kenya, with implications for both public and private health interventions and future research work.

GENETIC DIVERSITY, CROSS PATHOGENICITY AND CONTROL OF BACTERIAL BLIGHT OF COWPEA USING BACILLUS SP. AND SELECTED BOTANICALS

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

GENETIC DIVERSITY, CROSS PATHOGENICITY AND CONTROL OF BACTERIAL BLIGHT OF COWPEA USING BACILLUS SP. AND SELECTED BOTANICALS KIRAREI, EZRA Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) is an economically important crop cultivated both for domestic and commercial purposes. It is one of the most resilient crops suited to arid and semi-arid areas. Cowpea production is affected by several diseases caused by phytopathogens. Bacterial blight caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. vignicola has been reported in many cowpea producing areas causing reduction in both quality and quantity of the harvestable leaves and grains. However, in Kenya, the disease occurrence status has not been exhaustively documented, similar to the causal pathogen characterization and management using biological control agents and botanicals. This research conducted field surveys in farms from six counties representing different zones to analyse the disease occurrence levels. The identification of the pathogen was done by morphological and biochemical features as well as by analysis of 16S rDNA and its genetic diversity was determined using inter-simple sequence repeat markers. The pathogen cross pathogenicity was tested by inoculating other legumes (beans, soya bean, green gram, garden peas and lentils) with the most virulent isolate. Dual culture and inverted plate techniques were used to test bio-efficacy of the biological control agents and botanical extracts. Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. vignicola was confirmed as the causal pathogen in 48 farms out of 80 farms. The mean disease incidence was 44.89% across the sampled sites, being highest in Kakamega County (50.49%) and the least in Uasin Gishu County (33.57%). Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. vignicola isolates displayed slight variance in morphological and cultural characteristics on nutrient agar. The biochemical tests and analysis by blasting of sequence from 16S rDNA region confirmed Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. vignicola as the causal agent. The polymorphic information content ranged from 0.2384 to 0.4486, indicating genetic variations which was strongly correlated with the differences within populations. The pathogen, infection was observed in all the cowpea varieties tested and cross infection on soya bean and lentils. The percentage disease severity ranged between 25.83% to 51.67%, which was significantly higher in cowpea varieties. The bio-efficacy of selected bio-agents showed varying levels of percentage inhibition against X. axonopodis pv. vignicola, depending on the method and the duration of exposure. Bacillus subtilis displayed the highest antibacterial activity between 68.33% and 87.79% by dual culture technique and between 38.33% to 71.33% in inverted plate method over seventy-two hours. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens showed a statistically significant antibacterial activity between 45.00% and 76.12% in dual culture technique and between 45.00% and 73.89% by inverted plate method. Cyprofloxacin the antibiotic used for positive check, ethanolic extracts of neem, garlic and ginger inhibited X. axonopodis pv. vignicola by 56.3 mm, 38.5 mm, 30.8 mm and 25.0 mm respectively, but no potency was noted for Salvia nilotica. Genetic variations of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. vignicola was noted from different regions of Kenya. This study showed that B. subtilis and B. amyloliquefaciens, neem, garlic and ginger extracts are useful biocontrol options in management of X. axonopodis pv. vignicola and therefore can be recommended for integration in the management of this pathogen in cowpea.

AQUEOUS FLUORIDE BIOSORPTION USING CALCIUM-SPIKED AND NON- SPIKED Moringa oleifera SEED POWDER: INFLUENCE OF DOSAGE, PARTICLE SIZE, AND PROCESS PARAMETERS

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

AQUEOUS FLUORIDE BIOSORPTION USING CALCIUM-SPIKED AND NON- SPIKED Moringa oleifera SEED POWDER: INFLUENCE OF DOSAGE, PARTICLE SIZE, AND PROCESS PARAMETERS CHAVAREGI, GEOFFREY Excessive fluoride concentrations in drinking water pose serious public health risks, including dental and skeletal fluorosis, particularly in rural, semi-arid and arid regions of developing countries where groundwater is the primary source of potable water. Traditional defluoridation methods remain costly, chemically intensive, or environmentally unsustainable, prompting the search for low-cost, eco-friendly alternatives. Moringa oleifera seed powder (MOSP) has emerged as a promising biosorbent, though its native adsorption capacity remains limited. This study aimed to enhance fluoride removal efficiency by modifying MOSP with calcium (Ca-MOSP) and to evaluate the influence of key process parameters including adsorbent dosage,particle size,pH,contact time, temperature and initial fluoride concentration; adsorption equilibrium behaviour, kinetic rates, and thermodynamic properties. Batch experiments were conducted under controlled laboratory conditions using both calcium-spiked and non-spiked MOSP to assess the effect of dosage, particle size, contact time, pH, temperature, and initial fluoride concentration. The biosorption performance was analysed using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models, pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetics, and thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy (ΔH°), entropy (ΔS°), and Gibbs free energy (ΔG°). Results showed that calcium spiking significantly improved fluoride removal efficiency, with Ca-MOSP achieving over 90% removal under optimal conditions (2 g/50 mL dosage, 40 mesh size, pH 7-, and 120- minute contact time), compared to 78% for the non-spiked powder. Finer particle sizes led to increased surface area and binding site availability, while increased dosage improved performance up to a saturation threshold. Adsorption was found to be pH- dependent, with neutral pH offering the best removal efficiencies for both biosorbent types. The adsorption isotherm data fitted best with the Langmuir model, suggesting monolayer adsorption on homogeneous surfaces. Ca-MOSP exhibited a higher maximum adsorption capacity (q e = 4.98 mg/g) and affinity constant (Kₗ = 0.442 L/mg) than the non-spiked variant. Kinetic data followed the pseudo-second-order model, indicating chemisorption as the dominant uptake mechanism, with high R² values (>0.99) and strong agreement between experimental and theoretical adsorption capacities. Thermodynamic analysis confirmed that biosorption was endothermic (ΔH° = +28.45 kJ/mol for Ca-MOSP), spontaneous (ΔG° < 0), and associated with an increase in system randomness (ΔS° = +85.6 J/mol·K). Thus, calcium-modified Moringa oleifera seed powder offers a significantly enhanced, sustainable, and low-cost alternative for fluoride remediation in drinking water. The findings support its potential for practical application in areas with fluoride endemism, particularly in rural and resource-limited settings. Recommendations include adopting Ca-MOSP in decentralised treatment systems and optimising operational conditions for field deployment. Future research should explore regeneration potential, competing ion effects, and long-term performance in continuous- flow and field-scale systems.

GENETIC DIVERSITY AND POPULATION STRUCTURE IN Trichilia emetica Vahl. IN WESTERN KENYA

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

GENETIC DIVERSITY AND POPULATION STRUCTURE IN Trichilia emetica Vahl. IN WESTERN KENYA SIRMA, ELIAS Trichilia emetica Vahl. Commonly known as Natal Mahogany (Family: Meliaceae) is a multipurpose tree of high ecological and socio-economic value across sub-Saharan Africa. In Kenya, however, its genetic resources remain largely uncharacterized. Current knowledge focuses mainly on ethno medicinal uses, photochemistry, and propagation biology, with no molecular data available to describe its genetic diversity or population structure. Without molecular information, it is difficult to determine whether populations are genetically connected or isolated, whether inbreeding is occurring, or whether genetic erosion is already underway. Although T. emetica is globally classified as Least Concern, localized population declines in Kenya indicate that its genetic base may already be narrowing, reducing its adaptability to environmental change. This lack of molecular insight is a major barrier to designing evidence-based conservation, restoration, and domestication strategies. This study sought to (i) characterize phenotypic variation of T. emetica using eight quantitative morphological traits across six natural populations in western Kenya and (ii) determine the genetic diversity and population structure of six natural populations of T. emetica in western Kenya using Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) markers. A total of 120 leaf samples were collected from Bungoma, Kakamega, Kisumu, Siaya, Vihiga, and Nandi counties. The morphological analysis revealed substantial variation across populations, with tree height, diameter at breast height, crown diameter, flower length, seeds per fruit, seed length, and seed dry weight differing significantly (p < 0.05). Variation within populations (67.33%) exceeded that among populations (32.67%), and clustering consistently distinguished Nandi as a separate group, Bungoma–Kakamega as another, and Kisumu–Siaya–Vihiga as a third. At the molecular level, 171 fragments were amplified, 162 of which were polymorphic, corresponding to a polymorphism rate of 94.65%. Diversity indices revealed Nei’s gene diversity (H) of 0.34 and Shannon’s index (I) of 0.51, with Nandi exhibiting the highest diversity and Kisumu–Siaya the lowest. Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) indicated that 65% of the genetic variation was distributed within populations and 35% among them. Principal coordinates analysis and Nei’s genetic distance dendrograms confirmed three genetic clusters, with Nandi being genetically isolated. This study is one of the first to assess the genetic diversity of T. emetica in Kenya, demonstrates that the species maintains considerable diversity despite fragmentation. Therefore, conservation strategies should prioritize in situ protection of genetically distinct populations such as Nandi, while safeguarding all populations to preserve intra-population diversity. Ex-situ measures, including representative sampling for seed banks and nurseries, are recommended to complement in situ strategies. Future research should expand to other ecological zones and integrate adaptive trait analyses to support domestication, breeding, and sustainable utilization of this valuable species.

MOLECULAR PHYLOGENY, PHYTOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF SELECTED KENYAN POPULATIONS OF DODONAEA VISCOSA (SAPINDACEAE)

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

MOLECULAR PHYLOGENY, PHYTOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF SELECTED KENYAN POPULATIONS OF DODONAEA VISCOSA (SAPINDACEAE) LANGAT, PHILEMON The family Sapindaceae is diverse, with four subfamilies. The genus Dodonaea (Sapindaceae) is endemic to Australia and widespread in Kenya in various habitats. There are two varieties found in Kenya. The taxonomic relationship between them is quite confusing. The two have many ethnomedicinal uses. Microbial organisms cause several diseases in plants and animals and with time, have developed resistance to most conventional drugs. The phytochemical components of plants haave specific pharmacological effects on the human body and exert their therapeutic value. Secondary metabolites isolated from plants are also important in chemotaxonomy. This study provided a phylogenetic analysis that included nucleotide frequency and substitution rates, base composition disparity index and evolutionary divergence. Eleven Kenyan populations of Dodonaea viscosa had their ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase (rbcL) and internally transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) genes extracted and Sanger sequenced. They were aligned by MUSCLE (codons) and exported to MEGA 11 and PhyloSuite for analysis. Phylogeny was constructed using ML and ITOL used to edit the cladograms. Prior to phylogenetic analysis a nucleotide BLAST of the sequence genes was done to identify the closest ancestor of Dodonaea viscosa. The sequences were also subjected to analysis by PCA. An analysis of phytochemical constituents of DCM: CH3OH leaf extract was conducted on Gazi 1C population. The agar well diffusion method was used to determine the antimicrobial activity, while antidiabetic activity was carried out on Swiss albino rats. Data on antidiabetic activity were organized in excel tables and analyzed using ANOVA, and paired sample t-test. Graphical method was used to analyze data on antimicrobial activity. From the phylogenetic analyses, a narrow genetic distance exists amongst the Kenyan populations of Dodonaea viscosa. The PCA showed more variations in the Dodonaea populations studied using the rbcL gene compared to using the ITS1 gene. Phytochemical analysis identified 4 compounds from the leaves, which supplemented the bulk of data for chemotaxonomic analysis. This study revealed that the crude extract of Dodonaea viscosa was antidiabetic as it lowered blood sugar in STZ induced diabetic rats. Likewise, the crude extract showed antibacterial and antifungal activities, as evidenced by the inhibition zones, except in Escherichia coli. The antidiabetic activity of the roots and leaves of various populations did not differ significantly, at P-value of >0.05. Variance between the populations was also not statistically different, as the P-value was 0.742. More antidiabetic activity was observed in the reference drug, followed by the plant extract at a dose of 400 mg/kg bwt, with the lowest activity at 200 mg/kg bwt. Similarly, more antimicrobial activity was observed from the positive controls (Amoxicillin and Apron), followed by the plant extracts. More studies targeting other gene areas with different primers are recommended to establish a full relationship between the Dodonaea viscosa Kenyan populations. There is a need for more bioassays on the compounds isolated from this study to determine the biological potential of this widely distributed plant.

GREEN TECHNOLOGY FOR WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT: UTILIZING RICE HUSKS, COCONUT SHELLS AND CLAY AS ADSORBENTS FOR BASIC DYE RHODAMINE B AND SELECTED HEAVY METALS

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

GREEN TECHNOLOGY FOR WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT: UTILIZING RICE HUSKS, COCONUT SHELLS AND CLAY AS ADSORBENTS FOR BASIC DYE RHODAMINE B AND SELECTED HEAVY METALS GICHUKI, JOHN Accumulation of heavy metals such as cobalt, copper, and lead and dyes such as rhodamine B (RB) released by various industries, poses a potential ecological risk of contamination due to their persistent nature and non-biodegradability. A remedial action is needed to mitigate this risk. A study was carried out to look into the possibility of eco-friendly and cost effective activated rice husk charcoal (ARC), coconut shell charcoal (ACC) and activated clay soil (ACS) in removal of heavy metals and rhodamine B dye from waste water. Three metal ions were selected, Cu2+, Co2+ and Pb2+ and were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer, AAS. The charcoal was obtained by burning rice husk and coconut shells which had been soaked in phosphoric acid in limited air. The ability of adsorbents to adsorb metal ions from water was investigated by carrying out batch experiment and varying parameters such as initial concentration, adsorbent dose, contact time, agitation speed, temperature and pH. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis detected presence of functional groups of Si-OH, Si-O, Si-O-Si, O-H and C=C in adsorbents upon activation which are responsible for adsorption. For the dye, a characteristic peak at 3200 cm-1 to 3070 cm-1 for aromatic stretch which was confirmed by a stretching vibration peak at around 1400 cm-1 was observed after adsorption. X-ray diffraction (XRD) data indicated that ACS was crystalline while ARC and ACC were amorphous. The X-ray fluorescence (XRF) results show that SiO2, Al2O3, and K2O were the main components where SiO2 were dominant especially in ARC and ACS. With Transmission emission spectroscopy (TEM) analysis, these nanostructures showed significantly different morphologies. Highly porous and hollow structures were visible in all cases though with differences. Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET) surface area and average pore diameter determination study showed that there was a relatively equal adsorption-desorption efficiency. This indicated that the adsorbents were highly reusable and that they had good stability. The efficiency of all the adsorbents towards the removal of heavy metals and dye increased with increase in temperature, time and surface area. Varying the pH showed that metals were adsorbed at a maximum pH of 6 while RB was highly adsorbed at pH 4. The equilibrium fitted the Langmuir equation well as compared to Freundrich. The R2 values for Langmuir ranged between 0.9928 to 0.9989 as compared to Freundlich which ranged between 0.9200 to 0.9671. The negative values of change in Gibb’s free energy (-1.55 to -0.581, -1.074 to -0.449 and -1.14 to -0.194 kJ mol-1 for ARC, ACC and ACS respectively) and positive values of change in enthalpy (32.034 to 37.562, 30.615 to 36.193 and 30.08 to 34.76 kJ mol-1 for ARC, ACC and ACS respectively) revealed the process to be spontaneous and endothermic. The use of a pseudo-second-order model, which indicates that chemical adsorption governed the process, allowed for a more accurate description of the adsorption process.

TAXONOMIC STUDY OF THE Cyperus dives DELILE COMPLEX IN EAST AFRICA

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

TAXONOMIC STUDY OF THE Cyperus dives DELILE COMPLEX IN EAST AFRICA TALLAM, RUTH Cyperus dives complex comprises four taxa: Cyperus alopecuroides Rottb, Cyperus dives Delile, Cyperus imbricatus Retz and Cyperus exaltatus Retz; whose taxonomic recognition varies among different authors. This study investigated the morphological variation within and between taxa in the complex in the East African region. Herbarium Specimens deposited at the East African Herbarium (EA) and Makerere University Herbarium (MUH) were examined. Morphometric data on gross morphology was collected and analysed using Cluster, Principal Component, Discriminant and Univariate analyses, using the GenStat statistical package version 2014 by VSN International Ltd. Data on distribution patterns were gathered from herbarium specimen labels and Gazetteers consulted where coordinates details were missing. Arc Map10.42 software was used to generate map to identify where various taxa within the complex are located. Examination of achenes using the scanning electron microscope (SEM) was also done. In Principal Component Analysis (PCA), the first axis accounted for 38.4% of the total character variation. Here C. imbricatus formed a distinct group; with the other three taxa exhibiting considerable overlap. Cluster analysis followed the same pattern for the 39 OTUs studied; where C. imbricatus formed a very distinct cluster, with the other three taxa showing high levels of intermixing to form one large cluster. Discriminant analysis also reveals a clear separation between C. imbricatus and the other three along root 2 while in univariate analysis it showed significant levels of statistical difference with the other three species in most of the characters used in the analysis. Based on these analyses C. imbricatus is clearly distinct from the rest of the taxa in the complex. Variations seen across the taxa were mostly in respect of length of the nutlet, stigma, filament and anther. Also, the leaf sheath width and inflorescence length. Based on these results, it can be concluded that, Cyperus dives complex consists of one distinct species (C. imbricatus) and three variables (C. alopecuroides, C. exaltatus and C. dives) that should be considered for ranking at the infraspecific level. The distribution patterns of the taxa within the complex are apparently based on their ecological preferences with some overlaps in the distribution, whereas the presumed distinct species showed a wide distribution and altitude range among all the taxa.

Genetic diversity and population structure of Trichilia emetica Vahl in western Kenya using ISSR markers

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Genetic diversity and population structure of Trichilia emetica Vahl in western Kenya using ISSR markers Sirma, Elias; Nyongesa, Benson; Dangasuk, Otto; Andiego, Ken Loss of habitat and land-use changes can alter genetic variation in tropical trees, un- derscoring the need for molecular information to support species conservation. Trichilia emetica is an indigenous multipurpose species in Kenya that is widely used in restora- tion programs, yet its genetic variability remains insufficiently documentedl. This study determined the genetic diversity and structure of T. emetica populations in western Ke- nya using 15 Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) markers. A total of 171 DNA frag- ments were produced, of which 94.65% were polymorphic. The overall, gene diversity was moderate (He=0.15; I=0.22), and diversity levels varied across populations. Rela- tively higher diversity was detected in Nandi (He=0.24; %P=78.31)) and Kakamega (He=0.18; %P=75.00), whereas Kisumu and Siaya showed comparatively lower esti- mates (He=0.10; %P=31.25%). Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that most variation occurred within populations (65%) with moderate among population differ- entiation (ΦST=0.35, p<0.001). Six populations were grouped into three genetic clusters. These results provide a baseline for integrating genetic information into management deci- sions, including prioritizing relatively diverse populations for seed sourcing and applying targeted enrichment strategies in areas showing reduced diversity.

MODELLING TRAFFIC FLOW BEFORE AND AFTER ROUNDABOUT USING NAVIER-STOKES AND ADVECTION-DIFFUSION EQUATIONS

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

MODELLING TRAFFIC FLOW BEFORE AND AFTER ROUNDABOUT USING NAVIER-STOKES AND ADVECTION-DIFFUSION EQUATIONS MOMANYI, MOGIRE KRIFIX Traffic congestion remains a persistent challenge in urban areas, with roundabouts playing a pivotal role in enhancing road safety, improving traffic flow, and minimizing congestion. Understanding traffic dynamics before and after roundabout implementation is critical for optimizing urban infrastructure. Traditional traffic models lack the precision to account for the complex interactions and flow disruptions associated with roundabouts. These limitations hinder accurate predictions of traffic patterns, requiring more advanced mathematical approaches to model flow dynamics effectively. This study aims to model traffic flow around roundabouts using Navier-Stokes and advection-diffusion equations. Specific objectives include formulating mathematical models, analyzing the influence of roundabout geometry on traffic flow, evaluating disruption and diffusion effects, and identifying critical factors impacting flow stability. The study employed fluid mechanics principles, utilizing the Navier-Stokes and advection-diffusion equations to model traffic as a fluid-like system. Numerical simulations were conducted using the Finite Volume Method and Crank-Nicolson scheme, with Matlab R2023b facilitating sensitivity analyses to evaluate various scenarios. Findings indicate that roundabouts significantly improve traffic flow efficiency by reducing congestion and enhancing speed regulation. The geometric design of roundabouts and their capacity to handle disruptions were identified as key factors influencing performance. Sensitivity analysis revealed optimal configurations for minimizing delays and maximizing output. The integration of roundabouts enhances urban traffic dynamics by mitigating congestion and optimizing vehicle movement. Mathematical models provide a robust framework for analyzing these effects, ensuring informed urban planning. Policymakers should incorporate advanced mathematical modeling in roundabout designs, emphasizing scenario-specific analyses to address diverse traffic conditions. Future research should integrate behavioral and environmental factors to refine predictive capabilities and practical applications

MODELLING GEOMETRY INTERRUPTION, VASCULAR STRESS, AND PULSATILITY IN CAROTID ARTERY BLOOD FLOW USING POISEUILLE-BASED EQUATIONS

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

MODELLING GEOMETRY INTERRUPTION, VASCULAR STRESS, AND PULSATILITY IN CAROTID ARTERY BLOOD FLOW USING POISEUILLE-BASED EQUATIONS NGETICH, LUCY JEROP The Poiseuille equations are instrumental in modeling blood flow, particularly within large and medium-sized arteries where laminar flow predominates. Derived under the assumption of steady, incompressible, Newtonian flow through cylindrical tubes, these equations effec- tively describe vascular dynamics in geometries approximating cylindrical shapes and at low Reynolds numbers. However, their applicability diminishes in regions characterized by tur- bulence, geometric irregularities, or pulsatile flow, such as those found in the carotid artery. This study identifies three key research gaps in the application of Poiseuille equations to carotid artery hemodynamics: (i) the influence of vascular shear stress under turbulent condi- tions, (ii) the deviation introduced by pulsatile flow from the steady-state assumption inherent in the Poiseuille model, and (iii) the geometric variability of the carotid artery and its under- explored role in altering flow characteristics. To address these gaps, the study introduces a novel formulation of the Poiseuille equation incorporating geometric drag and pulsatile flow through a Womersley function. Governing equations were formulated based on modified Poiseuille flow and solved numerically using the Finite Volume Method (FVM) implemented in MATLAB, with custom code developed to simulate time-dependent blood flow. The nu- merical scheme incorporated discretization of the Navier–Stokes equations and was executed using MATLAB’s built-in solvers and post-processing tools for velocity, pressure, and vascu- lar stress visualization. The simulation results revealed a significant reduction in flow rate and velocity in regions with geometric interruptions. For example, the peak simulated velocity reduced by approximately 28% in stenosed segments compared to normal arterial sections, demonstrating a nonlinear velocity profile consistent with observed clinical behavior. The simulations further indicated that geometric disturbances, such as stenosis and bifurcations, resulted in an increase in vascular stress and a pronounced decrease in flow rate (Q), partic- ularly under turbulent conditions. This inverse relationship between vessel radius and flow dynamics corroborates findings from existing studies on stenotic arteries. Additionally, the analysis demonstrated that as artery radius (r) decreased, vascular stress W(r, t) increased substantially, in line with predictions from Hagen–Poiseuille’s law. Pulsatility during systolic phases further amplified wall shear stress (WSS), thus supporting the third objective of the study. The findings emphasize the limitations of the classical Poiseuille-based model in tur- bulent and pulsatile regimes and highlight the necessity for more robust modeling approaches to accurately capture the complex hemodynamics of carotid artery flow under pathological conditions.