Team

Dr. Bernard Kanoi is the team leader of this group. He holds a degree in Biomedical Sciences, PhD in Life Sciences, and Postdoctoral training in Malariology. He worked on several projects at Division of Malaria Research, Proteo Sciences Center, Ehime University, before becoming the Assistant Professor in the same division where he remarkably contributed to the application of the innovative Wheat Germ Cell-free System in malaria research through high-throughput immuno-profiling and reverse vaccinology studies.

Prior to joining the Mount Kenya University and Ehime University, Dr. Kanoi was involved in the conduct of blood-stage BKSE36 malaria vaccine trials and immuno-epidemiology studies in Northern Uganda.  He has received several awards and fundings to support his research. He has coauthored more that 40 original peer-reviewed research papers majorly on high-throughput identification and characterization of vaccine antigens for vaccine development. Several of the papers are published in high impact journals. He is a review editor to several international scientific journals.

Dr. Kanoi's research delves into the complexities of acquired immunity against infectious diseases, employing cutting-edge research methods such as high-throughput screening and functional studies.

His passion for vaccine research encompasses various stages, from novel vaccine discovery to understanding the underlying mechanisms, conducting clinical trials, and evaluating immunization efficacy and the impact of co-infections. Dr. Kanoi and his team possess a wide range of skills, including advanced bioinformatics and statistical expertise, genomics, in-house synthesis of functional recombinant proteins and antibodies, and the development and implementation of singleplex and multiplexed immunological assays.

One area of research focuses on understanding how immunity against malaria-causing parasites is acquired or lost in children and during pregnancy. Dr. Kanoi aims to uncover the mechanisms behind this immunity and how it can be harnessed for the development of vaccines and immunotherapies.

Additionally, Dr. Kanoi conducts studies on the immunology of COVID-19 and tuberculosis (TB), caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Lucy Mwai, PhD Fellow

She is currently a PhD research fellow at Mount Kenya University working on vaccine antigen discovery against pregnancy associated malaria (ECDTP). She holds an MSc. in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology earned through a scholarship by the African Union (Pan African University Institute for Basic Sciences Technology and Innovation, PAUSTI). She earned her B.Sc. in Medical Laboratory Science and Technology (First Class Honors) from the University of Nairobi. She is trained in Small Animal Handling and Experimentation at Small Animal Facility for Research and Innovation (SAFARI), JKUAT, has good laboratory skills, basic biostatistics and proficiency in the use of SPSS, R programming, MS office, Reference Manager tools among others. She has keen interests in medical research and teaching in both communicable and non- communicable diseases particularly in virology, parasitology, oncology, diagnostics, biomarkers and nanomedicine. She has been awarded several professional and leadership certificates. Additionally, she has robust experience in both office and community-based leadership in managing resources, teams and projects. She is a dynamic speaker, trainer, writer and presenter, skilled in employing clarity and innovation to deliver effective presentations to diverse audiences at all levels. 

Mr. Sebastian Musundi

Sebastian holds an undergraduate degree in biochemistry from Egerton University and a master’s degree in molecular biology and bioinformatics from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). He is currently pursuing his PhD in Molecular Biology at Mount Kenya University with a major focus on identifying and characterizing conserved cross-protective proteins in Plasmodium species. 

Outside the lab, you will find him playing soccer, watching documentaries, and spending time with family and friends.

Currently studying: Identification of conserved vaccine targets and epitopes across Plasmodium species.

Mr. Rotich Alex Kiplagat is a Research Assistant at Mount Kenya University, Thika and a Graduate Assistant at the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Eldoret. Rotich holds Bachelors of Science in Biochemistry (Hons) from the University of Eldoret and currently on the tail-end of his Masters of Science program in Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics at JKUAT, Kenya

Being the overall best student in the University of Eldoret (2018 graduating class), the university absorbed him as a GA for mentorship and training support to a full lecturer. He has since then accumulated extensive skills in molecular work and related areas (PCR, gel electrophoresis, etc), student mentorships and partly in administrative responsibilities. As a Graduate Assistant he has attended/organized various conferences/workshops both local and international. He is a member of the Africa Bioinformatics club and MKU Research and Innovation journal club. His research interests includes exploring the wide range of studies in the field of malaria specifically malaria in pregnancy.

Current study:  Complement system in pregnancy associated malaria

Mr. Paul Adamba

Mr. Paulus Adamba is a research assistant working under the mentorship of Dr. Bernard Kanoi of Mount Kenya University. Adamba is in the final stages of pursuing a Master's degree in Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kenya. He holds a Bachelor's of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences (JKUAT), a Diploma in Medical Laboratory Science from Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), and a certificate in Public Health Ethics and Fundamentals of Bioethics from the CBEC KEMRI-Bioethics Training Initiative.

Adamba is also a graduate assistant, teaching health-related courses at KCA University, where he also works in the health services department. He has experience working in the Histopathology Laboratory at Agha Khan University Hospital, Kisumu. He is a registered member of the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologist Board and a member of the Institutional Ethical Review Committee (IERC) of KCA University. His interest is in vaccine development, particularly in molecular immunology related to malaria vaccine development.

Adamba is currently conducting a research project titled "Assessing the kinetics of protective antibodies in pregnancy-associated malaria using wheat germ cell-free system synthesized recombinant Plasmodium falciparum proteins" among pregnant women in Webuye, western Kenya. This project is funded by the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP2) and aims to help identify vaccine antigen targets.