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Biography
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).
Current Work
An investigation into the rates, determinants, and transmission of respiratory virus reinfections (ResViRe) funded through the Wellcome Career Development Award Discovery SchemeCollaborations
Adenovirus genetic diversity and antigenic variation - with Dr Charlotte HouldcroftProject Research
ResViRe Water sequencing Adenovirus sequencing and antigenic characterisationPublications
Age-dependent acquisition of IgG antibodies to Shigella serotypes-a retrospective analysis of seroprevalence in Kenyan children with implications for infant vaccination.
Kapulu, M. C., Muthumbi, E., Otieno, E., Rossi, O., Ferruzzi, P., Necchi, F., Acquaviva, A., Martin, L. B., Orindi, B., Mwai, K., Kibet, H., Mwanzu, A., Bigogo, G. M., Verani, J. R., Mbae, C., Nyundo, C., Agoti, C. N., Nakakana, U. N., Conti, V., Bejon, P., Kariuki, S., Scott, J. A. G., Micoli, F., Podda, A.
Front Immunol, (2024). 15:1340425
Temporal changes in the positivity rate of common enteric viruses among paediatric admissions in coastal Kenya, during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2019-2022.
Lambisia, A. W., Murunga, N., Mutunga, M., Cheruiyot, R., Maina, G., Makori, T. O., Nokes, D. J., Agoti, C. N.
Gut Pathog, (2024). 16:2
Genetic and potential antigenic evolution of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses circulating in Kenya during 2009-2018 influenza seasons.
Owuor, D. C., de Laurent, Z. R., Nyawanda, B. O., Emukule, G. O., Kondor, R., Barnes, J. R., Nokes, D. J., Agoti, C. N., Chaves, S. S.
Sci Rep, (2023). 13:22342
Symptom prevalence and secondary attack rate of SARS-CoV-2 in rural Kenyan households: A prospective cohort study.
Gallagher, K. E., Nyiro, J., Agoti, C. N., Maitha, E., Nyagwange, J., Karani, A., Bottomley, C., Murunga, N., Githinji, G., Mutunga, M., Ochola-Oyier, L. I., Kombe, I., Nyaguara, A., Kagucia, E. W., Warimwe, G., Agweyu, A., Tsofa, B., Bejon, P., Scott, J. A. G., Nokes, D. J.
Influenza Other Respir Viruses, (2023). 17:e13185
New SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant with Spike Protein Mutation Y451H, Kilifi, Kenya, March-May 2023.
Mwanga, M. J., Lambisia, A. W., Morobe, J. M., Murunga, N., Moraa, E., Ndwiga, L., Cheruiyot, R., Musyoki, J., Mutunga, M., Guzman-Rincon, L. M., Sande, C., Mwangangi, J., Bejon, P., Ochola-Oyier, L. I., Nokes, D. J., Agoti, C. N., Nyiro, J., Githinji, G.
Emerg Infect Dis, (2023). 29:
Genomic epidemiology of the rotavirus G2P[4] strains in coastal Kenya pre- and post-rotavirus vaccine introduction, 2012-8.
Makori, T. O., Bargul, J. L., Lambisia, A. W., Mwanga, M. J., Murunga, N., de Laurent, Z. R., Lewa, C. S., Mutunga, M., Kellam, P., Cotten, M., Nokes, D. J., Phan, M., Agoti, C. N.
Virus Evol, (2023). 9:vead025
Genomic epidemiology of human adenovirus F40 and F41 in coastal Kenya: A retrospective hospital-based surveillance study (2013-2022).
Lambisia, A. W., Makori, T. O., Mutunga, M., Cheruiyot, R., Murunga, N., Quick, J., Githinji, G., Nokes, D. J., Houldcroft, C. J., Agoti, C. N.
Virus Evol, (2023). 9:vead023
Phylogenomic analysis uncovers a 9-year variation of Uganda influenza type-A strains from the WHO-recommended vaccines and other Africa strains.
Nabakooza, G., Owuor, D. C., de Laurent, Z. R., Galiwango, R., Owor, N., Kayiwa, J. T., Jjingo, D., Agoti, C. N., Nokes, D. J., Kateete, D. P., Kitayimbwa, J. M., Frost, S. D. W., Lutwama, J. J.
Sci Rep, (2023). 13:5516
SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in three Kenyan health and demographic surveillance sites, December 2020-May 2021.
Etyang, A. O., Adetifa, I., Omore, R., Misore, T., Ziraba, A. K., Ng'oda, M. A., Gitau, E., Gitonga, J., Mugo, D., Kutima, B., Karanja, H., Toroitich, M., Nyagwange, J., Tuju, J., Wanjiku, P., Aman, R., Amoth, P., Mwangangi, M., Kasera, K., Ng'ang'a, W., Akech, D., Sigilai, A., Karia, B., Karani, A., Voller, S., Agoti, C. N., Ochola-Oyier, L. I., Otiende, M., Bottomley, C., Nyaguara, A., Uyoga, S., Gallagher, K., Kagucia, E. W., Onyango, D., Tsofa, B., Mwangangi, J., Maitha, E., Barasa, E., Bejon, P., Warimwe, G. M., Scott, J. A. G., Agweyu, A.
PLOS Glob Public Health, (2022). 2:e0000883
Serum immunoglobulin G and mucosal immunoglobulin A antibodies from prepandemic samples collected in Kilifi, Kenya, neutralize SARS-CoV-2 in vitro.
Nyagwange, J., Kutima, B., Mwai, K., Karanja, H. K., Gitonga, J. N., Mugo, D., Sein, Y., Wright, D., Omuoyo, D. O., Nyiro, J. U., Tuju, J., Nokes, D. J., Agweyu, A., Bejon, P., Ochola-Oyier, L. I., Scott, J. A. G., Lambe, T., Nduati, E., Agoti, C., Warimwe, G. M.
Int J Infect Dis, (2022). 127:11-16