Team

Mohamed Draz, PhD

Case Western Reserve University

He is the Director of the Draz Laboratory for Infection and Technology (InfecTec) at Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Draz is an expert in developing micro- and nano- technologies with applications in biomedicine, particularly for infectious diseases. He has a PhD in Infectious Diseases and six years of training in biomedical and health engineering at Harvard and the University of British Columbia. Dr. Draz’s research focus spans disease diagnosis and monitoring—using point-of-care (POC), rapid diagnostics, and mobile and digital health systems, and disease treatment—using gene-based, microbial, and nanoparticle therapeutics, vaccines, and tissue models and engineering. His research targets include (i) infections (HIV-1, TB, HPV, HBV, MRSA, Zika, etc.) and (ii) infection-associated health conditions—neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, blood, kidney, and cancer, and the microbiome.

Onikepe Folarin, PhD

ACEGID, Redeemer's University

I am a Professor of molecular biology and genomics and the deputy director of African Center of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID) where we train African scientists and research in the field of Genomics. I received training in Molecular Biology at the Malaria Research Laboratories, IAMRAT, the University of Ibadan from 2000 - 2009 during my PhD and post-doctoral training. I have a track record of research in the molecular mechanism of antimalarial drug resistance and molecular epidemiology of drug resistance. In the past 10 years, I have been involved in human genomics and Lassa fever genomics, through NIAID and NIH-funded projects as well as the 1000 Genome project in which I am a research team lead in Nigeria. I am also actively involved in research on pathogen detection, characterization, and surveillance

Umut A. Gurkan, PhD

Case Western Reserve University

Umut A. Gurkan, Ph.D., is a professor at Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Gurkan holds a Ph.D. degree in Biomedical Engineering from Purdue University and completed his postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Gurkan’s research is on global equitable access to diagnostics and personalized health. Dr. Gurkan is a leader in the translation of microfluidics and point-of-care diagnostics for blood disorders and cancer. Dr. Gurkan is a member of the Global Gene Therapy Initiative, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Biomedical Engineering Society, and American Society of Hematology. Dr. Gurkan is a Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors, a member of the New Voices in Science, Engineering and Medicine Program by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, and a fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering.

Xu Li, PhD

Full Bio: University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Xu Li is a professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He received his PhD in Environmental Engineering from the University of Michigan in 2008. His research revolves around microbes important to environment quality and public health. By working at the interface of environmental engineering and applied microbiology, his research group aims to advance knowledge on microbial communities relevant to contaminant biotransformation, resource recovery, and antibiotic resistance. He develops technologies and interventions to prevent and minimize pollution of water, soil, and crops and to protect human health from pollution. Specifically, he designs and optimizes engineering systems for drinking water treatment, wastewater reuse, and stormwater management, as well as agricultural practices for manure storage and land application.

Claude M Muvunyi MD PhD

ERC

I graduated in Medicine from the University of Rwanda, and then specialized in Clinical Microbiology and obtained PhD in medicine from Ghent University, Belgium. I am currently a full professor of clinical Microbiology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Rwanda (UR). I have substantial clinical and public health expertise in public health laboratory and Antimicrobial resistance that I obtained through working with several agencies including public health institutions, regional and international non-government health implementing partners, universities, and multilateral organizations. My research interests include evaluation of diagnostic methods (molecular and serological) for infectious diseases and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) surveillance. I have published papers in several international and regional peer-reviewed journals.

Indresh K. Singh, MS

Full bio: J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI), USA

Mr. Singh has a MS in Computer Science and Engineering and is the Manager of Core Informatics Services at JCVI. He will lead the deployment of JCVI-developed analysis pipelines on ACEGID IT infrastructure. Mr. Singh will also train and advise ACEGID informatics staff on data depositions to public repositories.

He has developed and managed data collection, data management and data analysis tools/pipelines, including JCVI Laboratory Information Management System (JLIMS), Genome analysis (WGS metagenomics, 16S rDNA analysis, de novo assembly, SNP and INDEL analysis), and coordinated data delivery to customers/collaborators and public repositories including dbGap, GenBank, SRA. He co-developed and published, with Dr. Fouts, the OMeta data management web application (PMC6322262) that will be used in the DMAC. Mr. Singh also co-developed, with Dr. Fouts, an AMR database for the CDC to track the spread of antibiotic resistance.

Alice Nyamwiza

Eagle Research Center

Alice has a master’s degree in Global Health Policy and Management from Brandeis University, USA and had her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and Social Administration from Uganda Christian University, Mukono. She is currently the Managing Director of Eagle Research Center, a private not for profit Research Institution in Rwanda.

With over 7 years of experience in Project/Grants Management and Human Resource, Alice has previously worked with several institutions including Imbuto Foundation and Tulane University International-Rwanda.

Jessica N. Uwanibe

ACEGID, Redeemer's University

Currently a Ph.D. research fellow at the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID), Redeemer’s University, Nigeria, where her research focuses on the use of genomics tools/techniques and bioinformatic tools for pathogen genomics surveillance, epidemiology and to understand the genetic diversity of pathogens of public health concern. Her research experiences consist of typhoid fever seroprevalence, antimicrobial resistance surveillance in Enterics in the Nigerian population and other pathogenic microbes (M. tuberculosis, C. auris, Yellow fever virus). Also involved in diagnostics development/ validation of a CRISPR-based rapid diagnostic for SARS-CoV-2 detection. Her role in CAMRA is to oversee the sequencing of samples in the project and training on bacteria next-generation sequencing.

Johnson Okolie, MBBS, MScPH

Redeemer's University

A global-health program and grants manager with over 8 years’ experience in international health programs, health research, training, capacity building and strengthening of local capacity for innovation and development. I draw my inspiration from lives saved and impacts left in communities through resilient health systems, application of evidence-based knowledge and utilization of local resources.

Richard Oyinloye (PGD Computer Science)

ACEGID, Redeemer's University, Ede, Osun State

A seasoned IT Manager that is solution oriented, highly analytical, and resourceful professional, with more than 20 years of experience in all phases of IT. He provides hardware, software & networking support at the ACEGID Genome Centre and sentinel sites across Nigeria and in Senegal, Sierra Leone, Liberia, & DRC. He obtained PGD in Computer Science from Lagos State University and has managed IT departments for several organizations including the Lacasera Group of Companies, Channel Technologies Ltd, Ritod technologies Ltd, Digitel/Systems Worldwide Ltd, etc. He is an expert in Microsoft Windows/Linux Administration and automation of business processes using the cutting-edge technologies and best practices.

Olanrewaju Eniade

International Foundation Against Infectious Disease in Nigeria

Olanrewaju Davies Eniade has over seven years of experience in Health research. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Statistics and a Master of Science in Biostatistics from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria and currently a PhD candidate in the same department. He works at the International Foundation Against Infectious Diseases in Nigeria as a Senior Data Manager and has collaborated with the Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria. He helped improve the quality of data collection instruments and research output through the application of statistical techniques and research methods. He is also working as an adjunct lecturer of Biostatistics at Adeleke University, Ede Osun State. Olanrewaju has worked on lots of research projects and has several papers published in open-access journals. Also, he is a peer reviewer and editor for the EC Nursing and Healthcare Journal and the Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International. Through these experiences, he developed strong project coordination, implementation skills, data management and data analysis. Olanrewaju enjoys focusing on the topics of statistical methodology, infectious diseases, and sexual and reproductive health and has a strong passion for modelling the risk & risk factors of diseases using Machine Learning/Artificial Intelligence.

Stephen Rulisa, MD, FCOG (ECSA), PhD

University Teaching Hospital of Kigali

Prof Stephen Rulisa is a Senior Consultant Obstetrician gynecologist and researcher at the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali, with PhD in public health from Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam. Has over 19 years of research and clinical experience including:

• Former Dean of School of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Rwanda & Currently serving as a Clinician and Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rwanda, with other adjunct appointments at International Universities.
• Founded and chaired the department of education and research at University Teaching hospital of Kigali, Founding fellow of East Central and Southern African College of obstetricians and gynecologists (ECSACOG) and Currently Chair of Education and Research Standing committee for ECSACOG.
• Member of East African Community Health Research Commission (EAHRC) - Expert Working Group on Research and Capacity Development
• Former President of Rwanda Medical Association, Current Board member of Rwanda Medical Council and Rwanda Medical Journal, among others.
• Has made significant contributions to peer-review journals with over 100 publications as well as serving as an associate editor and board member for BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, PLOS one, Current Obstetrics & Gynecology Reports, and Rwanda Medical Journal.

Iguosadolo (Dolo) Nosamiefan

Redeemer’s University, Nigeria

Mr. Nosamiefan is a project manager at the African Center of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID), Redeemer’s University and will serve as the CAMRA Research Hub Administrator. Mr. Nosamiefan brings over 4 years of project management and grants administration experience on various infectious diseases efforts based around microbial infectious diseases. For this research hub, he will manage the administration of the grant award, coordinate the project logistics and meetings (both virtual and in-person), monitor project timelines, organize data and resource sharing between CAMRA projects/core and with the wider DS-I Africa Consortium. Additionally, Mr. Nosamiefan will coordinate the pilot project program in years 2-5 of this award.

Javan Okendo, PhD

ACEGID, National Human Genome Research Institute (National Institutes of Health)

Dr. Javan Okendo received his PhD in Chemical and Systems Biology from University of Cape Town, school of medicine, in South Africa where he studied what constitute susceptibility and protection to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) infection from individuals with a broad spectrum of M. tb infection. He has also trained with Professor Nicola Mulder, to study within-host evolution of Plasmodim falciparum during treatment with artemether-lumefantrine. Since October, 2022 he has been at the National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, where his main research focuses on genome assembly and annotation of Zebrafish and paradise fish genomes. He is also a bioinformatician at the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID), Redeemer’s University, Nigeria where he offers bioinformatic support and data analysis.

Yun (Renee) Zhang, PhD

Full bio: J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI), USA

Dr. Zhang is an Assistant Professor in the Informatics Department at the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI). She received an MMath in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Oxford, UK, and a PhD in Statistics from the University of Rochester Medical Center. She also has industrial and research experience in Novartis Oncology and Mayo Clinic. Her research interest includes statistical modeling and methodology development for big data produced by advanced biotechnologies.

Dr. Zhang has extensive experience in multiple disciplines including mathematics, statistics, bioinformatics, and computational biology. As doctoral student at the University of Rochester and as a biostatistics intern at the Mayo Clinic, her research focused on statistical methodology development of gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and DNA methylation sequencing data analysis. Dr. Zhang’s role in CAMRA will be to consult with Project Leads regarding power calculations on sub-projects and will contribute to study design and rationale.

Daniella Matute, MSc

J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI), USA

Ms. Matute is a bioinformatics engineer at JCVI. She has an MSc in Synthetic Biology and Biotechnology from the University of Edinburgh and a BS in Biology from George Mason University. Her experience encompasses multidisciplinary topics such as lab-automation, metagenomics, NGS, systems modeling and more. Currently she develops, maintains, integrates, and deploys bioinformatic tools and software supporting the project’s mission.

Matthew LaPointe, MBA

J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI), USA

Mr. LaPointe is the director of web and creative services and media contact for JCVI. His role in the DMAC is leading design and content for the for the CAMRA website. He has worked at the JCVI for nearly 20 years focused on communication of scientific information to both lay and scientific audiences. His contributions include supporting educational outreach, scientific communications, and institutional development through web development, graphic design, social media, written communications, marketing, and events.

Ryan Johnson

J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI), USA

Mr. Johnson is a Web Developer at JCVI. His role in the DMAC is to build the CAMRA website.