THE KENYA AIDS VACCINE INITIATIVE
 
 
Welcome to the Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI) Website.
THE KAVI TEAM
 
Our Mission: To contribute to the development of a safe, effective, affordable and accessible HIV vaccine.


Prof. Anzala Omu, MBCh.B; PhD
Program Director, Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)
Prof. Anzala is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology and the Program Director of the Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI). He has vast experience in the field of HIV vaccine research and helped to set up the HIV Vaccine research project in Kenya. He is currently the Principal Investigator two phase-II HIV/AIDS vaccine clinical trials and has also served as a co-investigator in one phase-I and one phase-II HIV vaccine clinical trials. He is a consultant for the African AIDS Vaccine Program (AAVP), WHO and UNAIDS and the Merck HIV Vaccine Network.
E-mail: oanzala@kaviuon.org



Prof. Walter Jaoko, MB ChB, MTMed, PhD
Deputy Program Director, Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)

Walter Jaoko graduated from the University of Nairobi with a bachelor’s degree in medicine and surgery (MBChB) in 1986. He thereafter obtained his master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Liverpool and University of Nairobi in 1993 and 2000, respectively. Upon graduating as medical doctor, he worked in the Ministry of Health for three years before joining the University of Nairobi’s School of Medicine as a Lecturer in the Department of Medical Microbiology, where he has risen to the position of Associate Professor. He has been involved in research at KAVI since 2001 and is currently the Deputy Programme Director. His major responsibilities include oversight of studies where he is the Principal Investigator, and administrative duties.
E-mail: wjaoko@kaviuon.org


TRIAL PHYSICIANS:


Dr. Gloria Omosa-Manyonyi MBChB; DTMPH,DLSHTM,PGD(STI/HIV), MSc.ID
Senior Research Physician and Medical Manager

Gloria is a Research Physician and Medical Manager at the Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI). She is involved in the clinical management of HIV vaccine research clinical trials being conducted by KAVI in a joint development program involving KAVI and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI). With over 6 years experience in the conduct of clinical trials, she has participated in the conduct of five HIV vaccine clinical trials plus two cross-sectional studies. Dr Gloria is a medical graduate of the University of Nairobi with broad clinical experience as a physician in various settings in Kenya. She has had post-graduate training in Infectious Diseases from the University of London, Clinical Vaccine Trials (Planning and Implementation) from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Good Clinical Practice (Basic and Advanced GCP), HIV/AIDS & Sexually Transmitted Infections (University of Nairobi), and in Public Health from the Swiss Tropical Institute.
E-mail: gomosa@kaviuon.org



Dr. Gaudensia Mutua, MB ChB, MPH
Trial Physician and Medical Manager KAVI-Kangemi

Mutua is currently serving as the Medical Manager at the KAVI-Kangemi site. The site has conducted population based epidemiological studies in HIV prevalence, HIV incidence as well as immunological and virologic studies in cases of incident HIV infection. She is the Co-investigator in two phase-II HIV vaccine clinical trial and the principal investigator in an incident HIV study among vaccine recipients. She also has seven years of experience in clinical practice and is trained in HIV treatment and care. She will contribute her knowledge of HIV treatment and care and HIV and AIDS epidemiology to this project.
E-mail: gmutua@kaviuon.org



Dr. Pamela Njuguna
Trial Physician, Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)

Pamela Njuguna is a trial Physician at KAVI Kangemi. She holds a Bachelor of Surgery and Bachelor of Medicine from the University of Nairobi. She is also currently pursuing an MSc in Public Health with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (University of London). She has had experience in conducting HIV/AIDS training and has contributed to the development of policies and training manuals in HIV/AIDS while working with PSABH/SSABH, an initiative of CFBT during this period, she has developed skills in strengthening public, private and community-based responses to HIV and AIDS through program design, implementation and evaluation.
She has also facilitated, trained and has participated in organizing and facilitating several forums on the same
E-mail: pnjuguna@kaviuon.org



Dr. Priscah Wawire
Trial Physician, Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)

Priscah Lyaka Wawire is a holder of MBChB from the University of Nairobi having graduated in 2005 and there after worked at Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital as Senior House Officer after internship, before joining KAVI as a Trial Physician in 2008. She is currently pursuing a PGD-Biomedical Research Methodology at the Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, University of Nairobi. She is a member of Resuscitation Council of Kenya ( RCK) and BLS, PALS, ACLS, and GIC instructor, ATLS Provider. She is trained in Good Clinical Practice (GCP).
E-mail: pwawire@kaviuon.org


PHARMACIST:

Dr. Jeniffer Njeri Kigera
Pharmacist, Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)

Jeniffer Kigera is a graduate of the University of Nairobi. Her responsibilities include ensuring appropriate storage and handling of study vaccine, and maintaining study blinding.
E-mail: jkigera@kaviuon.org 


NURSE/COUNSELORS:


DELVIN KAMBOKA NYASANI, KRCHN
Nurse/Counselor, Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)

Delvin is a Kenya Registered Community Health Nurse from Kenya Medical Training College Mombasa. She graduated in the year 2001.Before joining KAVI she had previously worked at Mathare Valley Clinic for one year and ST Veronica Health Clinic for five years respectively. She has also done a certificate course in HIV/AIDS, Home Based Care and Drug Abuse counseling. Her major responsibilities at KAVI are: Performing protocol specific activities,Obtaining informed consent,Counseling, Quality control and Re-imbursement.Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Kenya Methodist University.
E-mail: dnyasani@kaviuon.org



Hilda A. Ogutu, RN, HND
Research Nurse/Counselor, Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)

Hilda Ogutu has a Diploma in Registered Nursing, Diploma in Midwifery, Higher National Diploma in Public Health, Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Before joining KAVI worked in several health facilities i.e Agakhan hospital, M.P.Shah hospital both in Nairobi for 4 years, and Nairobi City Council as a Sister in charge of several Health centres for 16 years. Joined KAVI in 2000 as a Nurse Counselor responsible for cordination of nursing activities in the clinic, volunteer informed consent process, data collection, quality control and quality analysis activities in the clinic. Counseling supervision and general research procedures in HIV vaccine clinical trials.
E-mail: hogutu@kaviuon.org



Rose Sajabi. KRM, KRN, KRCHN
Nurse Counselor, Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)

Rose. M. Sajabi, is a Trained at Kenya Medical Training Centre, Nairobi. Worked in Western province as District Public Health Nurse, Medical Centre Manager AAR, and Kenyatta National Hospital in various capacities as a Nurse, Project Nurse at Majengo Clinic. Currently she is at KAVI Kangemi working as a Nurse Counselor.
E-mail: rsajabi@kaviuon.org


COMMUNITY MOBILIZERS:


Sabina N. Wakasiaka, DAN, MPH
Community Mobilizer, Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)

Sabina is a holder of Masters degree in Public Health and Epidemiology from Kenyatta University and currently reading for PhD with Kenyatta University on Acceptability of Intra Vaginal Rings (IVR) as a device for Microbiocide delivery to prevent HIV in Kenya. She has fourteen years' of professional experience in the development and implementation of Health Care and HIV/AIDS Vaccine Support Networking programs in various regions of Kenya. Her current responsibilities include development and implementation of health care providers vaccine programme, development and implementation of vaccine support network acitivities in vaccine priority regions, monitoring and evaluation of community programmes, education to volunteers about vaccine trials, counseling, among others.
E-mail: swakasiaka@kaviuon.org



Jane Wairimu, RN
Nurse Counselor, Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)

Jane Ng'ang'a, graduatedas an enrolled community nurse in 1989.She has a Higher Diploma in Medical Health and Psycological counseling (2001-2002), Diploma in Marriage and Family Therapy (2001-2002), Certificate in Training of Trainers (Aug 2002), Higher Diploma in Counselor Education and Supervision (2004-2007). Before joining KAVI in 2005, Jane had worked as a nurse for 12 years with the Nairobi City Council and as a trainer in counseling for 3 years. Her major responsibilities are community mobilization and counseling occasionally
E-mail: jwairimu@kaviuon.org



Roselyn Magdalyn Malogo, BA (Community Development and Minor Business Admin)
Community Mobilizer, Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)

Roselyn Malogo graduated from the Medical Training College (MTC) Mombassa , Kenya with a Diploma in Kenya Registered Community Health Nursing ( KRCHN) in 1992. Thereafter; she worked with the Ministry of Health for two years, Nairobi City Council and seconded to Urban Slums Development Project- UNFPA funded. In the year 2004 she joined KAVI and has been involved in research work in the institution. In 2004, she enrolled at Daystar University and graduated with BA degree in community development a minor in Bussiness administration in 2008. She is currently the Community Mobilzer and her major responsibilities include volunteer recruitment and retention in the of studies and community mobilization activities.
E-mail: rmmalogo@kaviuon.org


CLINICAL TRIALS COORDINATOR:


Jacquelyn R.W. Nyange, BA, RN
Clinical Trails Coordinator, Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)

Jacquelyn Wanjiru Nyange is the Clinical Trials Coordinator- responsible for the Regulatory and Administrative aspects of the studies at KAVI-KNH and Kangemi sites for the Kenya AIDS Vaccines initiative. She is a Kenya Registered Nurse from Kenya Medical Training College -Nairobi, with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Management from United States International University-Africa and currently pursuing a Masters of Science Degree in Clinical psychology, at the School of Medicine, University of Nairobi. She has an experience of 13 years in patient care in public and private hospitals and 4 years of experience in research in feasibility studies and HIV vaccine clinical trials.
E-mail: jrnyange@kaviuon.org


LABORATORY:


Bashir M. Farah, MSc, HND
Laboratory Manager, Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)

Mr. Bashir has 9 years of experience in the field of HIV vaccine research and has been involved in 7 HIV epidemiological studies and 5 HIV vaccine clinical trials. Through these studies, he has gained vast experience in HIV immunology within the context of vaccination and in the general non-vaccinated public. He is the laboratory manager of KAVI with extensive experience in Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP). At the same time he is the Analytical Project Manager and drafts and reviews the study analytical plans. He graduated from College of Health Professions, Nairobi and John Moores Liverpool University, Liverpool, UK.
E-mail: fbashir@kaviuon.org



John Gachie, HND
Project Technologist, Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)

John graduated from The Kenya Polytechnic University with a Diploma in Medical Laboratory Sciences and a Higher National Diploma in the same course (Virology/Bacteriology/Immunology-Option). Before joining KAVI, he worked with St. Joseph The Worker Dispensary in Kangemi for nine years where he was incharge of the laboratory section. Currently he is pursuing a BSc. degree in Applied Biology (Microbiology Option) in Kenya Methodist University. He is GCP,GCLP trained among other supportive trainings. His major responsibility in KAVI is day- to -day performance of the laboratory research work mostly at Kangemi site. 
E-mail: jgachie@kaviuon.org



Jackton Asengi Indangasi, HND
Laboratory Scientist, Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)

Background: Medical Microbiology/ Immunology. Jacton Asengi Indangasi has a postgraduate diploma in Infectious Diseases and currently pursuing a Masters degree in Infectious Diseases at the School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London. Before joining KAVI in 2003, Jackton had worked as the section head of Medical Microbiology Unit at the MP Shah Hospital and a member of the Bio-safety/Hygiene committee of the Hospital. He is in- charge of the Tissue culture laboratory and manages stock control and data on the LIMS system.
E-mail: jindangasi@kaviuon.org



Micah Ongeri Oyaro, MSc
Research Scientist, Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)

MSc in Biochemistry in 1999 and also with a postgraduate Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology (DMLT) in 1998 from School of Public health & Hygiene, New Delhi, Aurangabad branch (MS). Before joining KAVI in 2001, Micah had worked at Nairobi and MP Shah Hospitals as a laboratory Technologist. His major responsibilities at KAVI are reception of clinical samples, processing them and performing laboratory assays specific for each research protocol. He is currently a PhD student at Kenyatta University. His research project focuses at the HIV viral diversity in Western Kenya and their implication for future HIV vaccine clinical trials.
E-mail: micah@kaviuon.org



Onyango J. I. Obila, MSc, BSc, HND.
Project Technologist,Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)

Onyango J. I. Obila joined KAVI in the year 2004 from WHO collaborative center for research and training in STD/HIV where he gained a lot of experience in laboratory medicine. He is a holder of Bachelor of Science in Medical Microbiology and is currently pursuing a Masters of Science degree course in Medical Microbiology at the Faculty of Medicine, UoN. In his research project he is studying the role of Toll Like receptors on dendritic cells of the innate immunity to HIV infection. He is serving at KAVI as a Project technologist and Biosafety officer.
E-mail: iobila@kaviuon.org



Robert Kipyegon Lang’at, HND
KAVI Laboratory, Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)

Robert Kipyegon Langa’t holds a Higher Diploma in Microbiology, Immunology and Virology from the Kenya Polytechnic University College. Before joining KAVI in 2006, Lang’at had worked at Homegrown (K) Ltd, Thika District Hospital (MoH), Canaan Medical Center Nairobi as Laboratory Technologist. His major responsibilities at KAVI are Laboratory Research Scientist. He is currently pursuing Master of Science (MSc) degree in Structural Molecular Biology at University of London.
E-mail: rlangat@kaviuon.org



Simon Ogola, HND
Project Technologist, Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)

E-mail: sogola@kaviuon.org



Stella Wangui
Project Technologist, Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)

Stella Wangui Njoroge holds a Higher National Diploma in Immunology, Virology and Microbiology from The Kenya Polytechnic University College. Before joining KAVI in 2007,Stella had worked with a research study Partners in Prevention Study (PIPS) which was dealing with discordant couples at KNH and PCEA Kikuyu Hospital as a Laboratory Technologist. She is GCLP ,GCP trained. Her major responsibilities at KAVI are performing serological and Haematological tests like Chemistry, Haematology,CD4/CD8, ELISAs; p24 HIV Ag/Ab, HBV,HCV etc, sample separation ,archieving and documentation.
E-mail: swangui@kaviuon.org

DATA MANAGEMENT, INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY:


Fredrick J.O. Oyugi, MSc, BSc, HND (MIS)
IT/Data Manager, Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)

Oyugi Fred is a holder of Msc (Medical statistics), BSc. (Statistics), HND MIS. Currently working as the Data and IT manager at KAVI, Mr. Oyugi has been involved in database design, collection, entry and cleaning of data in HIV vaccine feasibility studies and clinical trials. He has also developed data quality control mechanism and has been involved in data analysis. LAN administration, management and monitor MS Exchachage and oversee future ICT needs.
E-mail: foyugi@kaviuon.org



Amos Maina
Information Technologist/ Data, Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)

Amos Maina, Graduated with a Diploma in SQL database management/programming 2005 at InfoTech. Before joining KAVI in 2004, Amos had worked at the Kangemi Health Centre as a VCT counselor. His major responsibilities at KAVI are Data management and offering IT user support. He currently did a course in Network support and USP (User Support Profession)
E-mail: amaina@kaviuon.org



Desmond Kowino
Information Technologist/Data ,Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)

Desmond's role at KAVI is to facilitate ICT deployment and data management at the site. Desmond is currently an undergraduate in Bsc. IT at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology having also done and finished Microsoft Certified Systems Engineering, MCSE.
E-mail: dkowino@kaviuon.org



Samuel Kazungu, DIT
Web-Master, Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)

Samuel Kazungu graduated from The Mombasa Polytechnic with a Diploma in Information Technology in 1996. Before joining KAVI in 2002, Kazungu had worked at the Department of Medical Microbiology of the University of Nairobi from 1998 as Information Technologist. Kazungu is currently the Web-master at KAVI, offers IT user support and data management. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Information and Communication Technology.
E-mail: skazungu@kaviuon.org


ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE:


Nancy Thairu
Finance and Administration Manager, Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)

Nancy Thairu is an accountant at KAVI for the past 3 years. She is a holder of CPA (K) Bsc (Bus. Admin.)form USIU-Africa, and is currently pursuing MBA (UoN). She has a working experience of 17 years in accounting field.
E-mail: nthairu@kaviuon.org



Bernard Omondi
Administrator, Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)

Bernard O. Ochieng is a holder of Bachelor of Commerce and is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Business administration He has over 10 years expirience in administartion and finance
E-mail: bomondi@kaviuon.org



Charles Osemba
Accountant, Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)

Charles Osemba graduated from the University of Nairobi with a degree in bachelor of commerce (accounting option) in 1998. He also holds CPA part 2. Before joining KAVI in 2006 he had previously worked with Agakhan hospital (Nairobi) and Aquamist ltd. He currently works at KAVI as an assistant project accountant. His current duties involve assisting the project accountant in overseeing the day to day running of the finance function.
E-mail: cosemba@kaviuon.org



Christine Obare
Secretary, Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)

Christine Obare graduated from Strathmore University with a Diploma in Secretarial and is currently pursuing a Degree in Business Administration and Management at Daystar University. Christine joined KAVI in 2004 and works as a Project Secretary whose major responsibilities are Filing, Responding to Correspondence and arranging for meetings and traveling of staff among others.
E-mail: cobare@kaviuon.org


 


Sally Aburu
Receptionist, Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)

E-mail: saburu@kaviuon.org


LOGISTICS:


Daniel Ngure
Driver, Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)
E-mail:
dngure@kaviuon.org



James Okelo
Driver, Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)
E-mail:
jokeloi@kaviuon.org



Meshack Mwamela
Driver, Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)
E-mail:
mmwamela@kaviuon.org


Emanuel Mukenya
Office Assistant, Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)
E-mail:
emukenya@kaviuon.org


Geoffrey Nguguna Thairu
Office Assistant, Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)
E-mail:
gnjuguna@kaviuon.org



Maurice Otieno
Office Assistant, Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)
E-mail
: motieno@kaviuon.org



Rasto Walimbwa
Office Assistant, Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)
E-mail:
rwalibwa@kaviuon.org


CONSULTANTS:


Prof. K. M. Bhatt, MB ChB, M Med, DTMEH
Senior Clinical Investigator, Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative KAVI)
E-mail:
bhatt@africaonline.co.ke



Prof. J. Ndinya-Achola, MB ChB, CMP, MSc
Senior Co-Investigator, Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)
E-mail:
ndinya-achola@kaviuon.org

 
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