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 HouldcroftBiography
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
Factors predicting mortality in hospitalised HIV-negative children with lower-chest-wall indrawing pneumonia and implications for management.
Gallagher, K. E., Awori, J. O., Knoll, M. D., Rhodes, J., Higdon, M. M., Hammitt, L. L., Prosperi, C., Baggett, H. C., Brooks, W. A., Fancourt, N., Feikin, D. R., Howie, S. R. C., Kotloff, K. L., Tapia, M. D., Levine, O. S., Madhi, S. A., Murdoch, D. R., O'Brien, K. L., Thea, D. M., Baillie, V. L., Ebruke, B. E., Kamau, A., Moore, D. P., Mwananyanda, L., Olutunde, E. O., Seidenberg, P., Sow, S. O., Thamthitiwat, S., Scott, J. A. G.
PLoS One, (2024). 19:e0297159
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
SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and implications for population immunity: Evidence from two Health and Demographic Surveillance System sites in Kenya, February-December 2022.
Kagucia, E. W., Ziraba, A. K., Nyagwange, J., Kutima, B., Kimani, M., Akech, D., Ng'oda, M., Sigilai, A., Mugo, D., Karanja, H., Gitonga, J., Karani, A., Toroitich, M., Karia, B., Otiende, M., Njeri, A., Aman, R., Amoth, P., Mwangangi, M., Kasera, K., Ng'ang'a, W., Voller, S., Ochola-Oyier, L. I., Bottomley, C., Nyaguara, A., Munywoki, P. K., Bigogo, G., Maitha, E., Uyoga, S., Gallagher, K. E., Etyang, A. O., Barasa, E., Mwangangi, J., Bejon, P., Adetifa, I. M. O., Warimwe, G. M., Scott, J. A. G., Agweyu, A.
Influenza Other Respir Viruses, (2023). 17:e13173
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
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:
Population immunity to pneumococcal serotypes in Kilifi, Kenya, before and 6 years after the introduction of PCV10 with a catch-up campaign: an observational study of cross-sectional serosurveys.
Gallagher, K. E., Adetifa, I. M. O., Mburu, C., Bottomley, C., Akech, D., Karani, A., Pearce, E., Wang, Y., Kagucia, E. W., Goldblatt, D., Hammitt, L. L., Scott, J. A. G.
Lancet Infect Dis, (2023). S1473-3099:00206-2
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the provision & utilisation of primary health care services in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kambia district, Sierra Leone & Masaka district, Uganda.
Kasonia, K., Tindanbil, D., Kitonsa, J., Baisley, K., Zalwango, F., Enria, L., Mansaray, A., James, M., Nije, Y., Tata, D. T., Lawal, B. J., Drammeh, A., Lowe, B., Mukadi-Bamuleka, D., Mounier-Jack, S., Nakiyimba, F., Obady, P., Muhavi, J., Bangura, J. S., Greenwood, B., Samai, M., Leigh, B., Watson-Jones, D., Kavunga-Membo, H., Ruzagira, E., Gallagher, K. E.
PLoS One, (2023). 18:e0286295