Angela Makumi

Dr
Angela
Makumi

Scientist
International Livestock Research Institute-Nairobi Kenya
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Biography

I have an MSc. In Molecular Biology and a PhD in Bioscience Engineering from Vrije Universiteit Brussels and the latter from KU Leuven Belgium. During this time, I developed a passion for bacteriophage(phage) research and the general applications of phages. To further understand this intricate interplay between phages and their host (bacteria), my PhD thesis project was focused on the impact of phages on the ecological fitness and eradication of multidrug-resistant invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella enterica from Sub-Saharan Africa. During my PhD research,  I acquired expertise in state-of-the-art genetics used to study interesting phage-host interactions further. I also studied the infection dynamics of bacteriophage  BTP1 (a predominant novel phage isolated from the invasive non-typhoidal salmonella strains) on Salmonella Typhimurium at single-cell level together with the specific expression of phage-encoded genes. To further expound my knowledge on the role of phages in different industrial sectors, I extended my research career as a junior post- doctoral fellow to study phages infecting lactic acid bacteria at University College Cork (UCC-Ireland). Having acquired vast technical experience in phage research as well as its advantages and its limitations. Thereafter, I was hired as a post-doctoral fellow at the International Livestock Research Institute( Nairobi-Kenya) providing my technical expertise in antimicrobial resistance and how phages could be used as a potential alternative to control Salmonella spp., which further addresses the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance in poultry farming. I am a scientist representing Micro and Molecular biology, and my interests have diversified into tackling different bacterial diseases affecting livestock. My research has extended to curbing goat mastitis using bacteriophages. I have taken a keen interest in developing bacterial vaccines for poultry and cattle ( CBPP) by being part of research groups and funding opportunities. Moreover, I have undertaken research to understand vaccine trials and the end-user needs that will help in product formulation that could offer easier solutions to farmers in Low and Middle countries.

Research interests

My research interests are genomics, synthetic engineering ( in phages),molecular biology, animal models and vaccines as an intervention strategy to address a broad range of issues related to Salmonella whether host restricted or zoonotic. 

Projects you're working on

Use of bacteriophages (bacterial viruses) as a One Health approach for the replacement of antibiotics, and reduction of drug-resistant nontyphoidal Salmonella, in poultry farms in Kenya.

Bacteriophage in vivo studies in poultry

Multivalent Salmonella vaccines for homologous and heterologous protection and colonization inhibition in poultry. 

Variability of disease and vaccine responses in different genetic lines of poultry.

Salmonella colonization model

Poultry gut microbiome

Cattle Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia Challenge and infection models Attenuated vaccines https://www.cgiar.org/news-events/news/worlds-tiniest-library-could-be-key-to-saving-millions-of-cattle/#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20world's%20smallest,CBPP)%20when%20inhaled%20by%20cattle. Assays for CBPP suivellance AMR in mycoplasma.
Discipline
Bacteriology Bio-manufacturing Challenge model development Challenge study design Clinical trials – efficacy Clinical trials – safety Commercialisation Deployment Ethics Formulation technology Molecular biology Regulation
Host species
Cattle Poultry Small ruminants
Pathogen
BacteriaE. coli BacteriaMycoplasma BacteriaSalmonella
Stage of vaccine development
Antigen discovery and immunogen design Clinical trials Commercialisation Correlates of protection – immunomonitoring Deployment Field trials Pre-clinical trials Vaccine delivery