Bio

Charles is a public Health entomologist with over 30 years-experience in the conduct of entomological research in Kenya, Ethiopia and Eritrea. He has extensive field and population-based experience in disciplines such as vector biology and ecology, malaria epidemiology and Integrated Vector Management (IVM) approaches and interventions. His research interests include the ecology and behaviour of mosquitoes and other disease vectors, disease transmission dynamics and control of vector-borne diseases, and development and design of new vector control. He has worked on the large-scale evaluation of insecticide-treated bednets, multi-country insecticide resistance monitoring and evaluation, and integrated vector management (IVM) strategies and contributed immensely to the advancement of science in vector control. Charles has conducted several trainings on IVM for the countries in the East and Southern Africa. With the long-term goal being to establish a foundation for designing and implementing novel new vector strategies targeting disease vectors. He is committed to developing science capacity in Africa and so far, he has supervised and mentored over 10 PhDs and 17 master students. He is widely published in internationally peer reviewed journals and has over 140 publications.

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Current Work

Currently, Charles is working in Busia and Kakamega counties assessing the insecticide effectiveness and physical integrity of two new types of ITNs; Olyset Plus and PermaNet 3.0 both PBO nets distributed by the DNMP through the mass campaign in 2021. He is also conducting country wide vector surveillance (mainly malaria vectors) and developing vector distribution maps to enable the Ministry of Health to come up with sentinel sites for mosquito vector surveillance. Further, he works in collaboration with PAMCA to Strengthening local capacity for malaria surveillance and elimination in Africa, a project that is being conducted in 7 countries in Africa including Tanzania, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Malawi, Uganda, and DRC

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Recent publications

Molecular xenomonitoring reveals Anopheles funestus and An. rivulorum as the primary vectors of lymphatic filariasis in coastal Kenya.
Bartilol, B., Babu, L., Garama, K., Karisa, J., Kamau, A., Mwandawiro, C., Wanjiku, C., Mbogo, C., Maia, M., Mwangangi, J., Rono, M. K.
Parasit Vectors, (2024). 17:425

Utility of MALDI-TOF MS for determination of species identity and blood meal sources of primary malaria vectors on the Kenyan coast.
Karisa, J., Ominde, K., Tuwei, M., Bartilol, B., Ondieki, Z., Musani, H., Wanjiku, C., Mwikali, K., Babu, L., Rono, M., Eminov, M., Mbogo, C., Bejon, P., Mwangangi, J., Laroche, M., Maia, M.
Wellcome Open Res, (2023). 8:151

The Anopheles coluzzii range extends into Kenya: detection, insecticide resistance profiles and population genetic structure in relation to conspecific populations in West and Central Africa.
Kamau, L., Bennett, K. L., Ochomo, E., Herren, J., Agumba, S., Otieno, S., Omoke, D., Matoke-Muhia, D., Mburu, D., Mwangangi, J., Ramaita, E., Juma, E. O., Mbogo, C., Barasa, S., Miles, A.
Malar J, (2024). 23:122

The Anopheles coluzzii range extends into Kenya: Detection, insecticide resistance profiles and population genetic structure in relation to conspecific populations in West and Central Africa.
Kamau, L., Bennett, K. L., Ochomo, E., Herren, J., Agumba, S., Otieno, S., Omoke, D., Matoke-Muhia, D., Mburu, D., Mwangangi, J., Ramaita, E., Juma, E. O., Mbogo, C., Barasa, S., Miles, A.
Res Sq, (2024). :

Detection of Anopheles stephensi Mosquitoes by Molecular Surveillance, Kenya.
Ochomo, E. O., Milanoi, S., Abong'o, B., Onyango, B., Muchoki, M., Omoke, D., Olanga, E., Njoroge, L., Juma, E. O., Otieno, J. D., Matoke-Muhia, D., Kamau, L., Rafferty, C., Gimnig, J. E., Shieshia, M., Wacira, D., Mwangangi, J., Maia, M., Chege, C., Omar, A., Rono, M. K., Abel, L., O'Meara, W. P., Obala, A., Mbogo, C., Kariuki, L.
Emerg Infect Dis, (2023). 29:2498-2508