DrSimon Kamau Kariuki

I’m currently a Chief Research Officer at the Kenya Medical Research Institute/Centre for Global Health Research (KEMRI/CGHR) and the Malaria Branch Chief in the KEMRI and CDC Research and Public Health Collaborative Program in Kisumu, Kenya. I have more than 25 years of research experience focusing on understanding the mechanisms of acquired immunity to malaria in young children and pregnant women, the effect of malaria transmission reduction on vector-parasite-host relationship, mechanisms of Plasmodium falciparum resistance to antimalarial drugs, interaction of HIV/other infectious diseases with malaria, clinical trials of existing and potential tools for malaria control, laboratory management and quality assurance. Over the years, I have developed strong scientific, leadership and management skills through development and review of proposals, implementation of research projects, data analysis and interpretation, mentoring and supervision of graduate students and staff at different levels, dissemination of research findings and preparation and review of manuscripts. As the chief of the KEMRI and CDC Malaria Branch, I oversee and provide scientific leadership and administrative support to more than 200 staff working in more than 20 projects that encompass diverse areas of malaria research including basic laboratory research, clinical trials, epidemiology, health systems, entomology, surveillance, monitoring and evaluation and capacity strengthening.