Sophie Uyoga
Research scientist
Sophie trained as a biochemist in Kenya then specialized in Immunology and later obtained a PhD from the University of Heidelberg. Sophie has great interest in understanding how human genetics influences susceptibility to severe malaria. Her work focuses on red blood cell genetic polymorphisms namely hemoglobin S, alpha thalassemia, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and blood group antigens and also explores the effect of co-inheritance on protection afforded against severe malaria and other infectious diseases.
A Mid-Career research fellowship awarded by the Initiative to Develop African Research Leaders (IDeAL) has enabled Sophie to pursue another area of interest. She will be investigating the 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. She envisions that the study findings will inform future strategies to ensure efficient provision of services by blood transfusion services and policy makers in Africa.
Recent publications
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Comparative performance of the InBios SCoV-2 DetectTM IgG ELISA and the in-house KWTRP ELISA in detecting SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG antibodies in Kenyan populations
Journal article
Kutima B. et al, (2024), Wellcome Open Research, 9, 349 - 349
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Factors affecting haemoglobin dynamics in African children with acute uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria treated with single low-dose primaquine or placebo.
Journal article
Onyamboko MA. et al, (2023), BMC Med, 21
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Pharmacokinetics of single low dose primaquine in Ugandan and Congolese children with falciparum malaria.
Journal article
Mukaka M. et al, (2023), EBioMedicine, 96
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Non-O ABO blood group genotypes differ in their associations with Plasmodium falciparum rosetting and severe malaria.
Journal article
Opi DH. et al, (2023), PLoS Genet, 19
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SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and implications for population immunity: Evidence from two Health and Demographic Surveillance System sites in Kenya, February-December 2022.
Journal article
Kagucia EW. et al, (2023), Influenza Other Respir Viruses, 17