Kevin Wamae
As a Postdoctoral Researcher at KEMRI-Wellcome Trust in Kilifi, Kenya, Dr. Wamae is excited to explore the intersection of genomics, epidemiology, and public health. By analysing DNA sequences, they can uncover the hidden stories told by infectious diseases.
Training Tomorrow’s Disease Detectives: Science is a team effort and the future depends on who we train today. He mentors students in bioinformatics and biostatistics to develop not just technical knowledge but also the networks and confidence required to succeed. This includes practical training sessions and connecting students with mentorship opportunities. He aims to raise a new generation of African scientists prepared to lead, create, and influence public health in the future.
Tracking Malaria at the Molecular Level: For his PhD and early Post-doctoral work, his research work is in malaria genomics focused on solving real-world challenges. He has helped to develop laboratory workflows and bioinformatics pipelines to track how malaria parasites escape medications and diagnostics. These developments inform policy, guide treatment decisions, and increase surveillance, therefore supporting national malaria control initiatives in various African nations. By combining molecular biology with practical implementation, his work helps translate scientific innovation into frontline impact.
Wastewater Surveillance: A New Lens on Community Health: His recent post-doctoral work focuses on advancing the application of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) to track community health by detecting bacteria, viruses, and antimicrobial resistance in sewage—often before clinical cases emerge. WBE is scalable, affordable, and non-invasive. It offers a real-time view of pathogen circulation by capturing signals from both sick and asymptomatic people. WBE is becoming a crucial addition to clinical monitoring as global health hazards grow since it could help direct outbreak response and health policy.
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