Research Project: Comparing mitochondrial genes of Aedes aegypti strains in East Africa to strictly anthropophagic strains in other continents

Brian is a DRIP MSc scholar supervised by Drs. Jandouwe Villinger, David Tchouassi (icipe), and Dr. David Mburu (Pwani University). My research interest is in the application of molecular Biology and Bioinformatics to understand the dynamics of vectors of epidemiological concern. My current research seeks to elucidate mitochondrial variation in forest and domestic forms of Aedes aegypti and how these variations correlate with dengue outbreak occurrence patterns in East Africa and continents outside Africa. He has developed interest in bioinformatics while involved in a study at the Walter Reed Project aimed at determining and characterizing the phylogeny of Phasi Charoen-like viruses.

Brian completed his BSc in Biotechnology from Masinde Muliro University.  He is currently registered for MSc Bioinformatics at Pwani University supported by the EANBiT project.