Clinical Research

Bio

Mainga Hamaluba MBChB MD FRCPCH Head of Clinical Research. Mainga is a paediatrician and works on clinical trials of vaccines, human infections studies and neonatal care. She is Principal Investigator (PI) and lead of the R21 clinical development programme in Kenya which includes the first evaluation of R21 in Africa (Phase 1b and the ongoing phase 3 trials). This is complemented by a vaccine efficacy Human Infection Study where she is Co-PI. Furthermore, she is PI for a phase 1/2 (First-In-Human and phase 2 trial of the leading tetravalent candidate shigella vaccine); sponsored by LimmaTech Biologics Ag. She also has clinical oversight of the broad portfolio of KWTRP team Human Infection Study platforms for malaria and shigella. These complementary programs continue to accelerate the clinical development of malaria and shigella vaccines.

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Current Work

Her current research focus is part of the Calestous Juma Fellowship funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This fellowship supports setting up a platform trial of neonatal interventions in coastal Kenya with a plan to expand this regionally to reduce neonatal mortality. She is currently supervising 1 PhD student working on snakebite research and has co-supervised MSc and PGDip studentships. She is currently PI or Co-PI of 9 clinical trials.

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Recent publications

Early weaning from oxygen therapy in African children with severe pneumonia.
Maitland, K., Giallongo, E., Hamaluba, M., Alaroker, F., Opoka, R. O., Tagoola, A., Nalwanga, D., Nabawanuka, E., Okiror, W., Nakuya, M., Aromut, D., Williams, T. N., Thomas, K., Harrison, D. A., Mouncey, P., Bush, A., Fraser, J. F., Rowan, K., Olupot-Olupot, P., Kiguli, S.
BMC Med, (2025). 23:366

Supplementation with ready-to-use therapeutic food has no effect on adverse outcomes among undernourished children aged 6-59 months with severe pneumonia.
Nalwanga, D., Giallongo, E., Musiime, V., Kiguli, S., Olupot, P. O., Alaroker, F., Opoka, R., Tagoola, A., Hamaluba, M., Mogaka, C., Nabawanuka, E., Karamagi, C., Briend, A., Maitland, K.
Front Nutr, (2025). 12:1507360

Intravenous Rehydration for Severe Acute Malnutrition with Gastroenteritis.
Maitland, K., Ouattara, S. M., Sainna, H., Chara, A., Ogundipe, O. F., Sunyoto, T., Hamaluba, M., Olupot-Olupot, P., Alaroker, F., Connon, R., Saidou Maguina, A., Okiror, W., Amorut, D., Mwajombo, E., Oguda, E., Mogaka, C., Langendorf, C., Dewez, J. E., Ciglenecki, I., Gibb, D. M., Coldiron, M. E., Petrucci, R., George, E. C.
N Engl J Med, (2025). :

A pragmatic randomized controlled trial of standard care versus corticosteroids plus standard care for treatment of pneumonia in adults admitted to Kenyan hospitals (SONIA).
Lucinde, R., Abdi, A., Orindi, B., Mwakio, S., Gathuri, H., Onyango, E., Chira, S., Ogero, M., Isaaka, L., Shangala, J., Oginga, I. N., Wachira, A., Manuthu, E., Kariuki, H., Nyikuli, J., Wekesa, C., Otedo, A., Bosire, H., Okoth, S. B., Ongalo, W., Mukabi, D., Lusamba, W., Muthui, B., Kirui, N., Adembesa, I., Mithi, C., Sood, M., Ahmed, N., Gituma, B., Ongaki, V. B., Giabe, M., Omondi, C., Ombajo, L. A., Kagucia, W., English, M., Hamaluba, M., Ochola-Oyier, L. I., Kamuya, D., Bejon, P., Agweyu, A., Akech, S., Etyang, A. O.
Wellcome Open Res, (2022). 7:269

COVID-19 mortality in Africa and Asia - Authors' reply.
Bejon, P., Agweyu, A., Oyier, I., Hamaluba, M., Kamuya, D., Kinyanjui, S., Barasa, E.
Lancet Infect Dis, (2025). :