Bioscience

Bio

Martin received his doctorate in cell and molecular biology from the University of Strasbourg, France, through training fellowship from the BioMalPar-EMBL programme. His research interests primarily focus on malaria with a bias on host-pathogen interactions. For his PhD. thesis, he worked on antiplasmodial immunity in mosquitos. After which, he joined KWTRP and started working on malaria parasite gene regulation associated with parasite adaption to its environment. Martin took on primary responsibility for the Biobank work in 2017 onwards, and has strong links with Pwani University and the joint research facility PUBREC

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Current Work

Besides his research, he oversees the strategic and operational management of the KEMRI-WellcomeTrust Biobank a vital resource supporting various scientific research projects. He has a passion for capacity building of local scientists for which he spearheaded the development of the Pwani University Bioscience Research Centre (PUBReC) and recently received funding from the Kenyan government national research fund.

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Recent publications

Utility of MALDI-TOF MS for determination of species identity and blood meal sources of primary malaria vectors on the Kenyan coast.
Karisa, J., Ominde, K., Tuwei, M., Bartilol, B., Ondieki, Z., Musani, H., Wanjiku, C., Mwikali, K., Babu, L., Rono, M., Eminov, M., Mbogo, C., Bejon, P., Mwangangi, J., Laroche, M., Maia, M.
Wellcome Open Res, (2023). 8:151

Detection of Anopheles stephensi Mosquitoes by Molecular Surveillance, Kenya.
Ochomo, E. O., Milanoi, S., Abong'o, B., Onyango, B., Muchoki, M., Omoke, D., Olanga, E., Njoroge, L., Juma, E. O., Otieno, J. D., Matoke-Muhia, D., Kamau, L., Rafferty, C., Gimnig, J. E., Shieshia, M., Wacira, D., Mwangangi, J., Maia, M., Chege, C., Omar, A., Rono, M. K., Abel, L., O'Meara, W. P., Obala, A., Mbogo, C., Kariuki, L.
Emerg Infect Dis, (2023). 29:2498-2508

Extracellular vesicles could be a putative posttranscriptional regulatory mechanism that shapes intracellular RNA levels in Plasmodium falciparum.
Kioko, M., Pance, A., Mwangi, S., Goulding, D., Kemp, A., Rono, M., Ochola-Oyier, L. I., Bull, P. C., Bejon, P., Rayner, J. C., Abdi, A. I.
Nature Communications, (2023). 14:6447

Vectorial capacity and TEP1 genotypes of Anopheles gambiae sensu lato mosquitoes on the Kenyan coast.
Bartilol, B., Omuoyo, D., Karisa, J., Ominde, K., Mbogo, C., Mwangangi, J., Maia, M., Rono, M. K.
Parasit Vectors, (2022). 15:448

Malaria vector bionomics in Taita-Taveta County, coastal Kenya.
Karisa, J., Ominde, K., Muriu, S., Munyao, V., Mwikali, K., Babu, L., Ondieki, Z., Bartilol, B., Tuwei, M., Wanjiku, C., Maia, M., Midega, J., Rono, M., Peshu, N., Mbogo, C., Mwangangi, J. M.
Parasit Vectors, (2022). 15:430