0709 203000 - Nairobi 0709 983000 - Kilifi
0709 203000 - NRB 0709 983000 - Kilifi
0709 203000 - NRB | 0709 983000 - Kilifi

Bioscience

Bio

Upon completion of her PhD training, Euniece was awarded a Wellcome Training Fellowship to determine whether exposure to HIV antigens or to an altered cytokine environment in utero alters the developing immune responses in HIV-exposed but uninfected infants. In parallel determined immune responses to childhood vaccines in HIV infected children. In 2017, she was awarded a four-years mid-career research fellowship through the Initiative to develop African Research Leaders (IDEAL) - DELTAS programme. This fellowship supported my work to understand cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the generation of antibodies with relevant functions in HIV infection. During this time, I established collaboration with the International AIDS vaccine Initiative (IAVI) which is currently supporting my programme of work to characterize B cell responses and monoclonal antibodies to inform HIV vaccine design

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Current Work

We are specifically interested in understanding differences in population immune baselines by characterizing the naïve B cell repertoire and HIV-antigen specific precursors in African populations. In addition, establishing immunogenicity testing frameworks for HIV vaccine studies. We are currently preparing for B cell and monoclonal antibody characterization for the G003 Clinical Trial that aims to use a germline targeting approach to elicit desired VRC01 class of antibodies. In addition, we are supporting immunogenicity testing (IFNg ELISPOTs) for the GREAT clinical trial (conserved Mosaic HIV-1 phase 1 Trial). As part of our research capacity strengthening agenda, I am actively involved in student supervision (interns, MSc students and Ph.D. students), mentorship and teaching immunology courses. Under the SANTHE consortium, on which I am a co-applicant, we recently received funding from the DELTAS-AESA programme and BMGF to support capacity building in the next four years. Appointments: Adjunct lecturer at Pwani University, Kilifi; member of the SANTHE Consortium Steering Committee. On-going collaborations: Dr. Daniel Muema - Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative – Institute of Clinical research (KAVI-ICR), Prof. Thumbi Ndungu - University of Kwa Zulu Natal – Africa Health Research Institute, Dr. Devin Sok/Elise Landais - Scripps Research Institute – Neutralizing Antibody Centre, Prof. Penny Moore - National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), South Africa.

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Recent publications

Induction of an early IFN-γ cellular response and high plasma levels of SDF-1α are inversely associated with COVID-19 severity and residence in rural areas in Kenyan patients.
Wanjiku, P., Orindi, B., Kimotho, J., Sayed, S., Shah, R., Saleh, M., Mwacharo, J., Maronga, C., Olouch, V., Karanu, A., Shah, J., Nneka, Z., Ochola-Oyier, L. I., Abdi, A. I., Dunachie, S., Bejon, P., Nduati, E. W., Ndungu, F. M.
PLoS One, (2025). 20:e0316967

Vaccination with mRNA-encoded nanoparticles drives early maturation of HIV bnAb precursors in humans.
Willis, J. R., Prabhakaran, M., Muthui, M., Naidoo, A., Sincomb, T., Wu, W., Cottrell, C. A., Landais, E., deCamp, A. C., Keshavarzi, N. R., Kalyuzhniy, O., Lee, J. H., Murungi, L. M., Ogonda, W. A., Yates, N. L., Corcoran, M. M., Phulera, S., Musando, J., Tsai, A., Lemire, G., Sein, Y., Muteti, M., Alamuri, P., Bohl, J. A., Holman, D., Himansu, S., Leav, B., Reuter, C., Lin, L. A., Ding, B., He, C., Straus, W. L., MacPhee, K. J., Regadas, I., Nyabundi, D. V., Chirchir, R., Anzala, O., Kimotho, J. N., Kibet, C., Greene, K., Gao, H., Beatman, E., Benson, K., Laddy, D., Brown, D. M., Bronson, R., Jean-Baptiste, J., Gajjala, S., Rikhtegaran-Tehrani, Z., Benner, A., Ramaswami, M., Lu, D., Alavi, N., Amirzehni, S., Kubitz, M., Tingle, R., Georgeson, E., Phelps, N., Adachi, Y., Liguori, A., Flynn, C., McKenney, K., Zhou, X., Owuor, D. C., Owuor, S. A., Kim, S. Y., Duff, M., Kim, J. Y., Gibson, G., Baboo, S., Diedrich, J., Schiffner, T., Shields, M., Matsoso, M., Santos, J., Syvertsen, K., Kennedy, A., Schroeter, M., Vekemans, J., Yates, J. R., 3rd, Paulson, J. C., Hyrien, O., McDermott, A. B., Maenetje, P., Nyombayire, J., Karita, E., Ingabire, R., Edward, V., Muturi-Kioi, V., Maenza, J., Shapiro, A. E., McElrath, M. J., Edupuganti, S., Taylor, B. S., Diemert, D., Ozorowski, G., Koup, R. A., Montefiori, D., Ward, A. B., Karlsson Hedestam, G. B., Tomaras, G., Hunt, D. J., Muema, D., Sok, D., Laufer, D. S., Andrews, S. F., Nduati, E. W., Schief, W. R.
Science, (2025). 389:eadr8382

Unique genetic signatures in HIV-1 subtype A1 and A1D recombinant envelope glycoprotein distinguish contemporary transmitted/founder viruses from historical strains in East Africa.
Kato, F., Kapaata, A., Galiwango, R., Nakyanzi, A., Ndekezi, C., Natwijuka, F., Omara, D., Obuku, A. E., Foley, B., Kaleebu, P., Nduati, E., Balinda, S. N.
Front Microbiol, (2025). 16:1632581

Advancing the course of HIV genomics research in Africa.
Agamah, F. E., Arbuthnot, P., Tindana, P., Munung, N. S., Kasule, M., Ghansah, A., Mosepele, M., Gaolathe, T., Kekitiinwa, A., Nduati, E., Jumare, J., Gómez-Olivé, F. X., Liebenberg, L., Dandara, C., Osawe, S., Julius, R., Muzambi, T., Natus, T., Omumbo, J., Mayne, E., Abimiku, A., Richardson, S., Matshaba, M., Skelton, M.
BMJ Glob Health, (2025). 10:

Safety and broad immunogenicity of HIVconsvX conserved mosaic candidate T-cell vaccines vectored by ChAdOx1 and MVA in HIV-CORE 006: a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled phase 1 trial in healthy adults living without HIV-1 in eastern and southern Africa.
Chanda, C., Kibengo, F., Mutua, M., Ogada, F., Muturi-Kioi, V., Akis Yildirim, B. M., Amondi, M., Baines, A., Basajja, V., Borthwick, N., Bosire, K., Chambula, E., Chetty, P., Chinyenze, K., Chirro, O., Crook, A., De Bont, J., Fernandez, N., Ejou, P., Farah, B., Glaze, M., Gombe, B., Gumbe, A., Hayes, P., Itwi, S., Juma, S., Kabarambi, A., Kabengele, C., Kafeero, P., Kakande, A., Kanungi, J., Kidega, W., King, D., Mahira, R., Malogo, R., Matsoso, M., Michelo, C., Moyo, A., Mugaba, S., Mugenya, I., Muhumuza, P., Mujadidi, Y. F., Muriuki, M., Musale, V., Mutua, G., Muwowo, M., Mwale, F., Mwangi, I., Nakimbugwe, M., Namuyanja, A., Nduati, E., Nielsen, L., Nyange, J., Oino, G., Okech, B., Omosa-Manyonyi, G., Otieno, D., Palmer, S., Phiri, H., Ramko, K., Rutishauser, R. L., Sayeed, E., Sajabi, R., Serwanga, J., G. T. Wee E, Wenden, C., Cicconi, P., Fast, P., Gilmour, J., Jaoko, W., Kaleebu, P., Kilembe, W., Kuipers, H., Sanders, E. J., Hanke, T.
Lancet Microbe, (2025). :101041