I am a molecular epidemiologist interested in the epidemiology and evolutionary dynamics of respiratory and gastrointestinal viruses in low-income settings. I trained as a Biochemist (University of Nairobi), and later earned an MSc, then PhD, in Virus Molecular Epidemiology (Open University). In 2022, I was awarded a Wellcome Career Development Award to study rates, determinants and transmissibility of respiratory virus reinfections. Currently, I head the Pathogen Epidemiology and Omics (PEO) research group within the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme. The PEO team  conducts field studies, wholesome/systems laboratory (diagnostics, genomic and immunologic) characterisation for a range of infectious agents and downstream bioinformatic, statistical and modelling studies to elucidate host-pathogen interactions, infectious agent dispersal and predict intervention impact. Previous research roles: 1)Co-lead COVID-19 diagnostics  and genomic surveillance at KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, 2) A Mid-Career Research Fellow supported by the Initiative to Develop African Research Leaders (IDeAL) studying the genomics of viral diarrhoea in Kenya prior to and following the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine, 3) Postdoctoral Scientist/Lead Bioinformatician for the SPReD studies (Studying the Pathways of Respiratory Virus Diseases).