Paul Mireji, PhD is Senior Scientist  at Biotechnology Research Institute of Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (BioRI-KALRO) with a background in entomology, molecular biology, genetics and bioinformatics. Dr. Mireji conducts his research on  physiology, ecology and control of vectors and vector-borne diseases (VVBDs) in eastern Africa, with a primary focus on tsetse fly and mosquito borne diseases.  His graduate work in John Beier lab was focused on understanding ecological, molecular and physiological basis of adaptation of mosquito to environmental pollution in their urban aquatic habitats. 

His postdoctoral and research scientist work in Serap Aksoy lab and elsewhere were focused on molecular biology and ecology of tsetse fly, mosquito and their pathogens. His lab continues to explore fascinating biology underlying olfaction, genetics and ecology of these vectors and their pathogens, utilizing standard molecular biology, high throughput data analysis (genomic, RNA-seq and proteomic), field and chemical ecology tools. 

Dr. Mireji  is a guest lecturer on tsetse biology at The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), UK, and previously taught biochemistry and molecular biology at Egerton University and Technical University of Kenya in Kenya. He is  an academic editor with PLoS Negl Trop Dis, Front Trop Dis,  and  EAJSTI and organizes and implement short skill building regional workshops on control of VVBDs. He is the contact person for International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB)  in Kenya. Dr. Mireji maintains collaborative research activities with researchers in  multiple universities and research institutions in eastern Africa and beyond,  serving as dedicated mentor to students and scientists in those institutions in preparation of  next generation of leaders in VVBDs research and control. 

Rosemary Bateta, PhD is a Scientist and Head of Entomology Division at Biotechnology Research Institute of KALRO, with a background training in genetics, molecular biology, molecular evolution bioinformatics, and immunology. Her research focuses on genetics of disease vectors and and their interactions with parasites. Her primary area of research is tsetse, trypanosome, their interactions and trypanosomiasis.

Her initial graduate work at ILRI contributed to development and optimization of cytokine ELISA used in Theileria parva candidate vaccine and later at Serap Aksoy lab was focused on immune responses of tsetse to trypanosome challenge and  genetic diversity and population structure of Trypanosoma brucei in Western Kenya and Uganda. Her doctoral studies at Serap Aksoy lab was focused on identification of immune responses of tsetse flies to trypanosome infections.

At BioRI-KALRO, her research has contributed to 1) development of xenomonitoring tools for African trypanosomiasis by assessing PCR Loop-mediated isothermal amplification for trypanosome detection to improve   trypanosome diagnostics and 2) P15 vaccine trial and Trypanosoma evansi vaccine development projects. She has vast experience in molecular biology bioinformatics, gene expressions analysis, tsetse fly - trypanosome and interactions and population genetics.  Her postdoctoral  training,  joint program between our lab and Caccone lab was focused on understanding population genetics and phylogeography of tsetse flies (Glossina pallidies, Glossina fuscipes fuscipes) in eastern Africa. She reviews research articles for  PLoS Negl Trop Dis,  Parasites & Vectors and Front Trop Dis among others.

Winnie Okeyo, PhD is a Scientist at the Biotechnology Research Institute of KALRO with a background in biotechnology, molecular biology, and genetics. Dr. Okeyo’s research is focused on the genetics, ecology and biological interactions of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). Her current research is primarily focused on tsetse flies that transmit Human and Animal African Trypanosomiases. She is working on the population genetic structure of tsetse fly species in Kenya and beyond, to create an understanding of genetic diversity and dispersal patterns. This information contributes to information needed for effective vector control. She is also working on irradiation of tsetse fly pupae for use in vector control using the Sterile Insect Technique.

Dr. Okeyo's initial graduate study at Maseno University was focused on malaria immunogenetics where she identified markers of genetic variation that influenced the susceptibility of pediatric patients with malaria to progress into severe malarial anemia. Her subsequent doctoral and postdoctoral research, a joint initiative between our lab, Serap Aksoy,  and lab Caccone lab was focused on 1) mapping genetic structure, migration patterns and evolutionary history of tsetse flies in Kenya and Tanzania, giving recommendations for control and  2)  screened for spiroplasma in wild tsetse flies, that can be explored for population reduction. She is also part of the organizing committee for the  African International Biomedical and Technology Conferences (AIBBC), which focuses on capacity building for African biomedical and biotechnology research students and faculty in practical methods through in-person workshops and information sharing. 

Clarence Mang’era, PhD is a Scientist in our Lab with affiliation to  Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Egerton University, His  background is in mosquito and tsetse fly ecology and physiology. His graduate research focused on the effects of bioactive phytochemical compounds on selected structural and hormonal components of Anopheles gambiae mosquito larvae. He performed part of his graduate studies at Fathiya Khamis’s lab at ICIPE that focused on assessment of  mosquito developmental changes in response to phytochemicals, and Sabah Omar lab at Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development of Kenya Medical Research Institute , Nairobi, Kenya where he  assessed  resistance status of of Plasmodium malaria parasite to selected malaria drugs in Kenya, based on their genetic basis.  He continues to investigate the potential of various chemical compounds in controlling major disease vectors in sub-Saharan Arica.

At, Egerton University, Dr. Mang'era lecturer on basic biochemistry and molecular biology. He reviews research articles for several  journals, including PLoS Negl Trop Dis and  J Insect Sci, and is an Executive Council Member of the Federation of African Societies of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology representing Kenya (Biochemical Society of Kenya). 

 Consolata Gakii, MSc,  is a graduate student in our lab and a tutorial fellow at the department of Computing and Information Technology, University of Embu, Embu, Kenya. She is registered for her doctoral degree at  Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology under co-mentorship of Drs. Richard Rimiru and Paul Mireji.  Consolata's  background is in Information Technology (IT), with research interest in big data analytics and focus on biological data. Her primary focus is application and development of computational algorithms for identification of underlying patterns in big data generated using next generation sequencing technologies.

Kennedy O. Ogolla, MSc, is an assistant research scientist at Biotechnology Research Institute of KALRO (BioRI-KALRO) and a PhD student with a background in Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Clinical Pathology, Laboratory Diagnosis and Veterinary Tropical Diseases. Dr. Ogolla’s research interest is on veterinary product development, efficacy and safety trials, with a focus on tropical veterinary diseases. His graduate work at the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, University of Nairobi, focused on understanding the efficacy and safety of anticoccidial drugs commonly used in farmed rabbits in Kenya. He also validated the efficacy and safety of drugs and other agents commonly used in treatment of rabbit mange in Kenya. 

As a research scientist assistant at BioRI-KALRO, his work has focused on 1) testing the sensitivity of field Trypanosoma isolates to locally available trypanocidal drugs, 2) mapping of agro-veterinary outlets and 3) determining quality of trypanocides retailed by outlets in north-eastern Kenya. Working with other researchers, he has contributed in assessment of prevalence of camel trypanosomiasis in north-eastern Kenya, vector density including their spatio-temporal dynamics, as well as knowledge and drug use practices of communities residing in the region. This led to development of an integrated control strategy for control of camel trypanosomiasis in north-eastern Kenya. He also contributed to the GIVE project which sought to understand factors affecting production and delivery of veterinary vaccines especially the last-mile delivery in rural areas of developing countries. 

He is currently responsible for design and implementation of laboratory and field-based safety and efficacy trials of odor-based attractants and repellents for control of tsetse, biting fly, ticks and other arthropods of veterinary importance in eastern Africa. 

Billiah Bwana is a graduate student in our lab,  undertaking a Master’s of Science in Genetics at the Department of Biology, University of Embu. She holds a degree in Microbiology and Biotechnology. Ms. Bwana’s research focuses on biology, genetics, olfaction and control of disease vectors, more specifically tsetse flies. Her current research is focused on improving annotation of genes associated with chemosensory appendages in the genome of tsetse fly species using a suite of molecular and bioinformatic tools, and olfactory responses of tsetse flies to odor cues. Her contributions have improved annotations of Glossina morsitans morsitans tsetse fly genone in VectorBase. She actively maintains a network of bioinformatics enthusiasts aiming at building capacity for bioinformatics skills in Africa.