George Githinji
Postdoctoral research scientist
I hold a bachelor’s degree in biomedical science and technology and a PhD from the Open University (UK) in collaboration with KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme. During my PhD programme, I investigated the extent of sequence and epitope diversity from a short region of the PfEMP1 molecule that is associated with characteristic expression patterns in severe and non-severe malaria cases. Thereafter I joined the Virus Epidemiology and Control Group lead by Prof James Nokes as an early career postdoctoral fellow with funding support from IDeAL. At VEC group, I utilise computational approaches to study RSV virus diversity and transmission patterns during outbreaks. I am interested in virus epidemiology, transmission and evolution and in developing computational methods for processing large-scale genomic data and exploring biological sequence diversity.
Recent publications
Longitudinal Epidemiology and Variant Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in Coastal Kenya (2020-2025): Clinical Features and Wave Patterns.
Journal article
Lambisia AW. et al, (2026), Open Forum Infect Dis, 13
The genome sequence of varicella-zoster virus (Varicellovirus humanalpha3) obtained by metagenomics from a patient presenting with an exanthem rash.
Journal article
Musundi S. et al, (2025), Microbiol Resour Announc, 14
Deploying Metagenomics to Characterize Microbial Pathogens During Outbreak of Acute Febrile Illness Among Children in Tanzania.
Journal article
Mziray SR. et al, (2025), Pathogens, 14
The complete mitochondrial genome of Tunga penetrans and insights into flea phylogeny
Preprint
Bartilol B. et al, (2025)
Hepatitis B Core-Related Antigen Point-of-Care Tests as a Risk Stratification Tool for Treatment Eligibility: Experience From Kenya.
Journal article
Downs LO. et al, (2025), Open Forum Infect Dis, 12