0709 203000 - Nairobi 0709 983000 - Kilifi
0709 203000 - NRB 0709 983000 - Kilifi
0709 203000 - NRB | 0709 983000 - Kilifi

Bio

Isabella Oyier is the Head of the Biosciences Department at KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Program (KWTRP), a Professor of Molecular Epidemiology, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford a Calestous Juma Fellow, funded by BMGF and a Global Research Fellow at Reuben College, University of Oxford. Her current research focuses on integrating malaria molecular epidemiology into routine surveillance in Kenya. A project that partners with the Division of National Malaria Programme to implement malaria molecular surveillance activities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she led the COVID-19 testing for the Coastal region. KWTRP was a regional COVID-19 genomic surveillance reference lab for Africa CDC and WHO-Afro and she led and coordinated this effort. In addition, she is coordinating the scale up COVID-19 immunological surveillance in the East Africa region, to determine genetic variants with immune escape potential. More recently she is co-leading a Wellcome funded 4 pathogen genomics surveillance grant that cuts across 8 countries, Cambodia, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, Malawi, South Africa, Thailand and Vietnam.

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Current Work

Her research interests are in Plasmodium falciparum malaria molecular epidemiology, focusing on the spatial and temporal use of molecular tools to: 1) examine genetic variation in merozoite antigens that are potential candidates for blood stage vaccines and its impact on naturally acquired immunity; 2) define complexity of infection while examining the impact of interventions or changes in malaria epidemiology; 3) distinguish persistent infections and reinfections in both therapeutic efficacy studies and in longitudinal follow up of asymptomatic individuals; and 4) monitor drug resistance molecular markers.

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Recent publications

Pre-COVID-19 ex vivo cross-reactive IFN-γ cellular response to SARS-CoV-2 spike overlapping peptides is more prevalent among Kenyan compared to Swedish adults.
Wanjiku, P., Orindi, B., Mwacharo, J., Chemweno, J., Karanja, H. K., Kronsteiner, B., Kai, O., Wright, D., Ochola-Oyier, L. I., Sundling, C., Dunachie, S., Warimwe, G. M., Färnert, A., Bejon, P., Ndungu, F. M., Nduati, E. W.
BMC Infect Dis, (2026). 26:174

Malaria vaccine protection against intradermal or venous parasites: a randomized phase 2b human challenge trial.
Kapulu, M. C., Orenge, F., Kimani, D., Kibwana, E., Kibet, H., Mutahi, M., Datoo, M. S., Bellamy, D., Musembi, J., Ngoto, O., Rashid, H., Akinyi, S., Mwatasa, M. H., Nyamako, L., Keter, K., Gatheru, R., Mutiso, A., Musyoki, J., Mwacharo, J., Abebe, Y., James, E. R., Billingsley, P. F., Ngetsa, C., Mosobo, M., Makale, J., Tawa, B., Wamae, K., Ochola-Oyier, L. I., Lawrie, A., Ramos-Lopez, F., Roberts, R., Richie, T. L., Sim, B. K. L., Hoffman, S. L., Ewer, K. J., Hill, A. V. S., Hamaluba, M., Bejon, P.
Nat Med, (2026). 32:178-185

Characterizing Plasmodium falciparum genetic diversity and complexity of infections in clinical malaria infections in Western and Coastal Kenya using the poly-alpha microsatellite marker.
Abade, N. A., Mgawe, C., Ndwiga, L., Kimenyi, K. M., Ochola-Oyier, L. I.
Malar J, (2025). 24:452

Pf8: an open dataset of Plasmodium falciparum genome variation in 33,325 worldwide samples.
Abdel Hamid, M. M., Abdelraheem, M. H., Acheampong, D. O., Adam, I., Aide, P., Ajibaye, O., Ali, M., Almagro-Garcia, J., Amambua-Ngwa, A., Amenga-Etego, L., Aniebo, I., Aninagyei, E., Ansah, F., Apinjoh, T. O., Ariani, C. V., Auburn, S., Awandare, G. A., Balmer, A., Bejon, P., Boene, S., Bwire, G., Candrinho, B., Chidimatembue, A., Chindavongsa, K., Comiche, K., Conway, D., Dara, A., Diakite, M., Djimde, A., Dondorp, A., Doumbia, S., Drury, E., Fanello, C. A., Ferdig, M., Figueroa, K., Gamboa, D., Golassa, L., Gonçalves, S., Guindo, M. D. A., Hamaluba, M., Hanboonkunupakarn, B., Howe, K., Hussien, M., Imwong, M., Ishengoma, D., Jeans, J., Kabaghe, A., Kamuhabwa, A., Kindermans, J. M., Konate, D. S., Kwiatkowski, D. P., Lee, C., Lee, S. K., Lee, S. J., Ley, B., Llanos-Cuentas, A., Marfurt, J., Matambisso, G., Maude, R. R., Maude, R. J., Mayor, A., Mayxay, M., Maïga-Ascofaré, O., McCann, R. S., Miles, A., Miotto, O., Mohamed, A. O., Morang'a, C. M., Murie, K., Ngasala, B. E., Nguyen, T. N., Nolasco, O., Nosten, F., Noviyanti, R., O'Connor, Í, Oboh, M., Ochola-Oyier, L. I., Olufunke Falade, C., Olukosi, A., Olumide, A., Olusola, F. I., Onyamboko, M. A., Oriero, E. C., Oyibo, W. A., Pannebaker, D., Pearson, R. D., Phiri, K., van der Pluijm, R. W., Price, R. N., Quang, H. H., Rajkumar Devaraju, V., Randrianarivelojosia, M., Ranford-Cartwright, L., Rayner, J. C., Rovira-Vallbona, E., Rowlands, K., Ruano-Rubio, V., Sanchez, J. F., Saúte, F., Shettima, S., da Silva, C., Simpson, V. J., Suddaby, S., Takken, W., Thu, A. M., Toure, M., Unlu, E., Valdivia, H. O., van Vugt, M., Waithira, N., Wellems, T., Wendler, J., White, N., Wuendrich Ogidan, R.
Wellcome Open Res, (2025). 10:325

A scoping review of antimalarial drug resistance markers in Kenya (1987-2022): toward a National Surveillance Framework and Data Repository.
Wamae, K., Magudha, J., Asiimwe, E., Kimani, K., Kandie, R., Keitany, K., Snow, R. W., Ochola-Oyier, L. I.
Malar J, (2025). 24:413