My research into the biodiversity and systematics of East African fishes began as a graduate assistant with a National Science Foundation funded International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) project. This three-year project coupled undergraduate students from Tulane University and Xavier University of Louisiana with students from the University of Nairobi and the National Museums of Kenya. Each summer we conducted surveys of the fishes across Kenya. These surveys discovered many new species and allowed us to better understand the relationships among the fishes in East Africa. In addition to discovering new species this project provided wonderful experiences for the undergraduate student participants. These student were able to learn field sampling methods, molecular techniques, and gained invaluable insights through the cultural exchange. I am actively describing many of the new species discovered and continuing the research in other areas of Kenya and East Africa.