Ernest Wandera

I am a Senior Research Scientist at the Innovation and Technology Transfer Division, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), with a strong interest in research, development, implementation and evaluation of high-impact and cost-effective health products and technologies such as vaccines, biotherapeutics and point-of-care diagnostics to prevent and control infectious diseases. I hold a PhD in Medical Science (Tropical and Emerging Communicable Diseases) from Nagasaki University, Japan and a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pathogen Point-of-Care Diagnostics from the University of Hull, UK in collaboration with Mount Kenya University. I have a background in biotechnology and medical science with expertise in molecular biological assays including high-throughput genomics and recombinant DNA technology. I have broad experience in field studies having participated in several molecular epidemiological and vaccine impact and effectiveness evaluation studies. I have conducted studies leading to the development of novel point-of-care diagnostic systems for pathogens such as rotavirus, Group B Streptococcus, COVID-19 and Cryptococcus neoformans. I have vast experience in biosafety, biosecurity and BSL-3 laboratory training for researchers and laboratory personnel in Kenya and the larger Eastern African region. I am a member of various institutional, national and continental technical working groups. Currently, I lead the KEMRI Vaccine Discovery Research Team that is mandated to spearhead research and development of vaccine candidates for priority diseases. I have co-authored several publications in peer-reviewed journals and presented my research work in various international and local conferences.