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Prof. James Nokes

Principal Investigator

jnokes@kemri-wellcome.org
  • Biography
  • Current Work
  • Top 5 Publications

Biography

James trained in Zoology followed by a PhD in viral epidemiology, out of which developed an enduring interest in the transmission dynamics and control of human viral pathogens. A post-doc period at Imperial College was followed by two years at Oxford and then Warwick from 1995, which remains his home institution where he is a Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology. His research initially centred on vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles and HBV and involved collaborative studies in Ethiopia. In 2001, James’ interests shifted to the study of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) accompanying a move of scientific base to the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP) in Kilifi, Kenya. This fascinating, antigenically diverse virus – a major cause of childhood pneumonia – remains a focus of his research up to today. Currently, he heads the Virus Epidemiology and Control Research Group within the Epidemiology and Demography Department, with research support primarily from a Wellcome Trust Senior Investigator Award.

Current Work

My research focuses on a range of medically important respiratory and enteric viral pathogens, in particular respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and rotavirus. The research objective is to improve understanding of infection dynamics, in relation to host behaviour, demography and immunity, and of parasite transmissibility and antigenic diversity, and to provide a framework for the rational design of control programmes. Projects combine community-based studies in households and schools, immunology and molecular characterisation, and mathematical and statistical modelling. The research is multidisciplinary and collaborative, with applications to public health policy. The team of scientists involved form the Virus Epidemiology and Control Research Group (https://www.virec-group.org), and is based in the Epidemiology and Demography Department.

Top 5 Publications

Successive Respiratory Syncytial Virus Epidemics in Local Populations Arise from Multiple Variant Introductions, Providing Insights into Virus Persistence

Agoti, C. N., Otieno, J. R., Ngama, M., Mwihuri, A. G., Medley, G. F., Cane, P. A., Nokes, D. J.

J Virol. 2015; : 11630-42

Group- and genotype-specific neutralizing antibody responses against respiratory syncytial virus in infants and young children with severe pneumonia

Sande, C. J., Mutunga, M. N., Medley, G. F., Cane, P. A., Nokes, D. J.

J Infect Dis. 2013; : 489-92

The natural history of respiratory syncytial virus in a birth cohort: the influence of age and previous infection on reinfection and disease

Ohuma, E. O., Okiro, E. A., Ochola, R., Sande, C. J., Cane, P. A., Medley, G. F., Bottomley, C., Nokes, D. J.

Am J Epidemiol. 2012; : 794-802

Vaccine Induced Herd Immunity for Control of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease in a Low-Income Country Setting

Kinyanjui, T. M., House, T. A., Kiti, M. C., Cane, P. A., Nokes, D. J., Medley, G. F.

PLoS One. 2015; : e0138018

The source of respiratory syncytial virus infection in infants: a household cohort study in rural Kenya

Munywoki, P. K., Koech, D. C., Agoti, C. N., Lewa, C., Cane, P. A., Medley, G. F., Nokes, D. J.

J Infect Dis. 2014; : 1685-92

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