Dr. Videlis Nduba is the Deputy Director in charge of the Center for Respiratory Diseases Research (CRDR).
He has worked at the Institute for over 13 years with his work focusing on TB Research including developing tuberculosis epidemiological capacity to conduct phase II and III TB vaccine trials in adolescents and infants, diagnostics for infant TB, and epidemiology of TB in adolescents. He was a principal investor of a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, dose-finding trial of the novel tuberculosis vaccine AERAS-402) in infants, of which Kenya was one of four countries participating in this trial.

Dr. Nduba has conducted two TB vaccine trials, one in infants and the other in adults that included bio banking protocols and extensive immunology sample collection and processing.

He has also lead a TB drug treatment trial that examined at a novel new treatment- MPaZ for shortening TB treatment from six to four months for drug sensitive TB. This research has included developing extensive networks with the TB treatment program, community networks with TB ambassadors and community health.

Dr Evans Inyangala Amukoye is a Pediatrician with interest in pediatrics pulmonology.  He obtained MB.ChB (1985) and M.Med (1992) from the University of Nairobi. He has also undergone several professional trainings in United Kingdom, Japan among others.  He has widely published with over 53 publications in peer review and at least 14 as first or last author, contributed to 5 national guidelines. He has presented over 200 papers of which in various conferences and symposiums locally and international. He has been a PI or Co PI in 25 study projects with total funding of over 600 Million shillings. Currently a PI in 1 project whose overall objective is to identify the role of immune cells in the relapse of tuberculosis after completion of TB drug therapy (TH17 Study, funded by NIH. He is also Co-PI in 3 running projects. Area of research interest include Clinical trials, epidemiology, respiratory medicine and air pollution among others. He is an editor in several journals including East Africa Health Research Journal EAHRJ, African Journal of Respiratory Medicine (AJRM and AJHR)

He is a member of many Professional bodies including the Association of Travel Medicine & Vaccination Services of Kenya (ATMVSK), European Respiratory Society, ATS, National Task Force for Preparedness of Avian Flu Pandemic, Kenya Pediatrics Association, Kenya Association for Prevention of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (KAPTLD) Executive Board), Targeting Asthma in Sub-Saharan Africa Previously served as on the committee on Drug Registration (CDR) at the Pharmacy and Poisons Board. He is a founding member of Pan Africa Thoracic Society where over 100 health workers have been trained in research methodology, Currently a member of the national advisory committee on vaccine (KENITAG). He has consulted in several hospital within the city including Gertrude children hospital. He has served as a board member of KMTC for 8 years.

He has supervised 5 PhD students (3 have graduated) and 9 master’s students (8 have graduated). He is passionate in developing new research leader’s and a member of a very active team at CRDR.

Dr. Amukoye is currently the Acting Director Research and Development.

Qualitative assessment of the impact of socioeconomic and cultural barriers on uptake and utilisation of tuberculosis diagnostic and treatment tools in East Africa: a cross-sectional study

Elizabeth F Msoka, Fred Orina, Erica Samson Sanga, Barbara Miheso, Simeon Mwanyonga, Helen Meme, Kiula Kiula, Alphonce Liyoyo, Ivan Mwebaza, Augustus Aturinde, Moses Joloba, Blandina Mmbaga, Evans Amukoye, Nyanda Elias Ntinginya, Stephen H Gillespie, Wilber Sabiiti

BMJ Open. 2021; 11(7): e050911.  Published online 2021 Jul 11. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050911

Assessing antigenic drift and phylogeny of influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 virus in Kenya using HA1 sub-unit of the hemagglutinin gene

Silvanos Opanda, Wallace Bulimo, George Gachara, Christopher Ekuttan, Evans Amukoye

PLoS One. 2020; 15(2): e0228029.  Published online 2020 Feb 11. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228029

Intrinsic and extrinsic factors associated with sputum characteristics of presumed tuberculosis patients

Fred Orina, Moses Mwangi, Hellen Meme, Benson Kitole, Evans Amukoye

PLoS One. 2019; 14(12): e0227107.  Published online 2019 Dec 27. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227107

Research for Actionable Policies: implementation science priorities to scale up non–communicable disease interventions in Kenya

Sujha Subramanian, Joseph Kibachio, Sonja Hoover, Patrick Edwards, Evans Amukoye, Mary Amuyunzu–Nyamongo, Gisela Abbam, Naftali Busakhala, Abigail Chakava, Jonathan Dick, Robai Gakunga, Gladwell Gathecha, Rainer Hilscher, Muhammad Jami Husain, Lydia Kaduka, James Kayima, Alfred Karagu, Dorcas Kiptui, Anne Korir, Nkatha Meme, Breda Munoz, Walter Mwanda, Daniel Mwai, Julius Mwangi, Esther Munyoro, Zachary Muriuki, James Njoroge, Elijah Ogola, Carol Olale, Deborah Olwal–Modi, Rose Rao, Saras Rosin, Onyango Sangoro, Daniel von Rège, David Wata, Pam Williams, Gerald Yonga, Participants from the NCD Symposium in Kenya

J Glob Health. 2017 Jun; 7(1): 010204.  Published online 2017 Mar 24. doi: 10.7189/jogh.07.010204

Genetic analysis of H3N2 influenza A viruses isolated in 2006–2007 in Nairobi, Kenya

Wallace D. Bulimo, Jason L. Garner, David C. Schnabel, Sheryl A. Bedno, M. Kariuki Njenga, Walter O. Ochieng, Evans Amukoye, James M. Magana, James M. Simwa, Victor O. Ofula, Samwel M. Lifumo, Julia Wangui, Robert F. Breiman, Samuel K. Martin

Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2008 May; 2(3): 107–113.  Published online 2008 Jun 28. doi: 10.1111/j.1750-2659.2008.00044.x PMC4634699

Risk factors of severe pneumonia among children aged 2-59 months in western Kenya: a case control study

Dickens Onyango, Gideon Kikuvi, Evans Amukoye, Jared Omolo

Pan Afr Med J. 2012; 13: 45.  Published online 2012 Nov 1. PMC3542783

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Dr. Ndila is a highly experienced Ass. Principal Research Scientist at KEMRI’s Centre for Respiratory Diseases Research (CRDR) and Head of the Epidemiology and Surveillance Division Unit.

Dr. Ndila’s formal training is in epidemiology (PhD, 2015) with a background in malaria, infectious diseases, genetics and clinical trials with over 15 years of work experience. Her career to date has also been characterized by close collaboration and integration with multiple clinical groups worldwide. She has extensive experience in constructing and using ‘big data’, particularly genome wide association studies and candidate genes data including identification of variants or markers associated with the disease of interest and application of next generation sequencing in the clinical genetics setting. She have served as a co-investigator on over 10 externally-funded grants in clinical trials, TB vaccine trials, disease surveillance, Infectious diseases, including Malaria, HIV/AIDS, sickle cell, emerging and re-emerging Infections.

Dr. Ndila is a member of several Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) responsible for reviewing epidemiology aspects. Her main research focus is now on genetic susceptibility to tuberculosis, specifically the genomics of resistance and how genetic variation in both humans and the tuberculosis pathogen influence TB severity. Her research has built-in links between TB control boards and local TB community networks including community networks with relevant TB actors and community health workers. She is has also been involved in setting up a CRDR-clinical trial annex at the coastal part of Kenya.

For full list of publication:  Click Here

Dr. Shamsha Is a trained pharmacist by profession who is passionate about research and currently manages the clinical trial pharmacy unit at CRDR. She is part of site investigating team conducting sickle cell research, TB in infant and diabetic study among.

• Bsc in Pharmacy from International university of Africa in Khartoum,Sudan
• Member of Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya(PSK)
• Member of Hospital Pharmacist association (HOPAK)

Ms. Asiko Ongaya is currently a Senior Research Scientist based at the Centre for Respiratory Disease Research (CRDR). She has collaborated in several research projects at local, regional and international levels.  Her research work as a principle Investigator, co-investigator or author of various publications includes New tuberculosis (TB) diagnostics, immunology of TB/HIV, TB epidemiology, TB drug resistance (MDR-TB, XDR-TB) studies, TB case finding studies, COVID-19 epidemiology among others. Her main area of research interest includes general Microbiology, TB/HIV co-infection, TB diagnosis, TB drug development and vaccinology, Immunology of TB and HIV and COVID-19 research.

Asiko is Medical Microbiologist, formally trained as a medical laboratory scientist (BSc) and Mycobacteriologist (MSc) and currently pursuing a PhD in Microbiology from Jomo Kenyatta University of science and technology in collaboration with Institute of Tropical medicine and infectious (ITROMID) and Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and in collaboration with University of Texas Medical Branch.

1. Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus-1 drug-resistant mutations among adults on first- and second-line antiretroviral therapy in a resource-limited health facility in Busia County, Kenya. Makwaga O, Adhiambo M, Mulama DH, Muoma J, Adungo F, Wanjiku H, Ongaya A, Maitha GM, Mwau M.Pan Afr Med J. 2020 Dec 3.PMID: 33654530.
2. Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific CD8+ T cell recall in convalescing TB subjects with HIV co-infection. Ongaya A, Huante MB, Mwangi P, Keiser PH, Amukoye E, Endsley JJ.Tuberculosis (Edinb). 2013 Dec;93 Suppl: PMID: 24388651
3. V.A. Ongaya, W.A. Githui, H. Meme, C. Kiiyukia, E. Juma. High ethionamide resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains isolated in Kenya (Published in the African Journal of Health Sciences, Jan-March Issue 2012).
4. V. A. Ongaya, W. A. Githui, H. Meme, E. Juma. Fluoroquinolone resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains isolated in Kenya. (Published in the African Journal of Health Sciences, Jan-March Issue 2012).
5. T. D. Ogaro, W. Githui, G. Kikuvi, V.A Ongaya, J. Okari, E. Wangui. Anti-tuberculosis drug resistance in Nairobi, Kenya. (Published in the African Journal of Health Sciences, Jan-March Issue 2012).
6. Activation of NK cell granulysin by mycobacteria and IL-15 is differentially affected by HIV. Hogg A, Huante M, Ongaya A, Williams J, Ferguson M, Cloyd M, Amukoye E, Endsley J. Tuberculosis (Edinb). 2011 Dec;91 Suppl 1: PMID: 22099421

Ms. Mashedi’s area of expertise is in; Fungi taxonomy, Community Health, Indoor Fungi, Antifungal Drug profile, Environmental Fungi. Dermatophytes and Mycetoma. Operational Research.

In addition, she is a Kenyan Representative for International society for Human and Animal Mycology (ISHAM).

• MSc. Mycology
• Bachelor Of Science in Microbiology

Mr. Mwangi is a trained clinician in clinical medicine and surgery with ten years’ experience in clinical research. He has been involved in management of institutionalized HIV infected children in opportunistic infection study which was successfully completed in 2006. In addition, Mr. Mwangi has participated in two clinical trials which aim at shortening Tuberculosis treatment from six month to four months where he has acquired immense experience in clinical research and patient recruitment and retention.

Academic and Professional Qualifications

Master’s degree in community health and development (MCHD)

Sophie Matu is a PhD student in Medical Microbiology at the Institute of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases (ITROMID), of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. Her PhD project is titled ‘Genotypic diversity among Drug Sensitive and Drug Resistant Isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Kenya”.

Academic Qualifications

• M.Sc Infectious Diseases Diagnosis (Kenyatta University)
• B.Sc Biological Sciences (Jomo Kenyatta University- JKUAT)

Professional Qualifications

• Laboratory TB diagnosis with special interest in TB/HIV co-infection, drug resistant TB and NCDs
• Center Biosafety Officer
• ISO 9001:2008 QMS officer
• Member National Biosecurity Advisory Committee
• Member Healthcare Waste Management -Technical Working Group (HCWM-TWG)
• Member Climate Change Technical Working Group
• KEMRI Climate change desk member

1.  Matu S.W and Ernest Juma. Improved Ziehl-Neelsen Microscopy: Bleach Sputum Smear Negative Specimens after Centrifugation. Journal of Life Sciences, ISSN 1934-7391, USA. June 2013, Vol. 7, No. 6, pp. 607-612.
2. Matu S.W., Okari J., Ong’ang’o J., Kipruto H and Sitienei J. Evaluation of GenoType MTBDR for molecular detection mycobacterium tuberculosis multi-drug resistant strains at the Tuberculosis Central Reference Lab. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2012; 16(12) supp 1: PC-692-16.
3. Okari J., Matu S.W., Ong’ang’o J., Kipruto H and Sitienei J. Drug Resistance among previously treated Pulmonary Patients in Kenya. Keystone Symposia; Drug Resistance and persistence in tuberculosis May 13-18, 2012. Poster 226.

Mr. Thiong’o is involved in Clinical Trial for the comparison of two drugs Dolutegravir and Kaletra as second-line treatment in HIV-infected patients failing first line therapy-sponsored by GloxoSmithkline.

Mr. Thiong’o has studied a course in Leadership & Management in Health Sponsored by the University Of Washington. For which he developed a Manuscript titled: Molecular characterization of multi-Drug resistant Escherichia coli isolated from urine samples in Mater Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya. Sent for publication in East African Journal of Pathology (EAJP)

He has been Involved in Family AIDS Care and Educational Services (FACES) Project. Responsible for Immunological and Microbiological work.

Mr. Thiong’o is a Principal investigator for a study titled: Molecular characterization of multi- drug resistant Escherichia coli isolated from urine samples in Mater Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya.

Academic Qualifications

• MSc in Medical Microbiology
• BSc in Biomedical Sciences
• Ordinary Diploma in Laboratory Technology