Mr. ElIy Munde, a Tutorial Fellow at the School of Health Sciences has been awarded a Fogatry Fellowship by the Fogarty International Centre at the National Institute of Health, USA.  Mr. Munde will spend his fellowship year at Kenya Medical Research Institute Centre for Global Health Research in Kisumu City under the mentorship of Prof. Douglas J. Perkins of Columbia University and Prof. Collins Ouma of Maseno University.  This opportunity will further understanding of host immune-genetics in infectious diseases.  His research will focus on the role of microRNA (mir)-186 and hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1A in conditioning P. falciparum-induced severe malarial anemia in Siaya County, western Kenyan children.  This training provides mentored research opportunities to train and prepare a new cadre of health professionals in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) dedicated to research, health services, and academic careers.  This training is funded by the Fogarty International Training Centre for the period July 2018-June 2019.  His research will help explain the immune modulatory mechanism of mir-186 on infection by P. falciparum malaria in immune-naïve children.

The Office of Vice Chancellor and that of Deputy Vice Chancellor congratulate Munde on behalf of the entire KyU fraternity.