KEMRI Hosts JICA Delegation to Assess theprogress of the Technical Cooperation Project.
August 9, 2024
Historic Milestone: Construction Begins on 10-Story CMR Complex.
August 9, 2024Dr. Sophie Uyoga Takes Over At Kilifi.
Wellcome Head of major International Programmes, Dr. Julia Kemp listens as KEMRI's Ag. Director General Prof. Elijah Songok gives his welcoming remarks.
Dr. Sophie M. Uyoga has been appointed to head the Institute’s Kilifi-based the Centre for Geographic Medicine Research – Coast (CGMRC) taking over from Dr. Joseph Mwangangi as the Acting Deputy Director.
A biochemist by training, Dr. Uyoga is an immunologist with a passion in understanding how human genetics influences susceptibility to severe malaria. Her work on components of the red blood cell has led her to further explore the effect of co-inheritance on protection afforded against severe malaria and other infectious diseases including sickle cell. She has also had extensive research on mechanisms behind the development and treatment of severe anemia with focus on the quality of donor blood on recovery from severe anemia and survival post-transfusion.
As part of her first assignment, Dr. Uyoga this week was part of the delegation from the centre together with visiting key partners from the Wellcome Trust that paid a courtesy call on Ag. Director General, Prof. Elijah Songok. The delegation which included the Head of Major International Programmes at the Wellcome Trust, Dr. Julia Kemp and colleague, Ms. Yolisa Nalule, Senior Manager, were warmly received at KEMRI Headquarters.
Present during the deliberations with the Prof. Songok were the Ag. Director of Scientific Programmes, Partnerships and Grants Management Dr. Mariciannah Onono, and the Deputy Director of Supply Chain Management Mr. Kalu Kitaba.
The two teams discussed ways of strengthening the existing collaboration between the Institute and the Trust for mutual benefits of both parties. There was consensus that a strong partnership would result in more research outputs and better public health for communities not just in Kenya, but globally.
Dr. Kemp expressed satisfaction with the alignment between the two entities, stating, “going forward, there should be regular interactions so that we can move forward together”, a view that was echoed by Dr. Uyoga who also highlighted the role CGMRC was willing to play to augment key expertise at other KEMRI centres.
“The meeting is a good opportunity; I look forward to the interactions and the centre in Kilifi supporting other scientists from other KEMRI centres. The scientists in our centre have experience and expertise that should be utilized across other centres,” she stated.
