Dr.Washingtone Ochieng

Category of Fellowship

Mid Career Research Fellow

Institution Hosting the Fellowship:

Centre for Research in Therapeutic Sciences (CREATES)/Strathmore

Academic Background

§ University of Goettingen, Germany; PhD (Biochemisry/Genetics/Immunology- 2007

§ University of Nairobi, Kenya; MSc (Biochemistry)- 2001

§ Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology; BSc (Biochem/Chem)- 1997

§ DBL Institute for Health Research and Development, Denmark; Diploma in Research Methodology- 2002

Professional Experience

§ Reviewer: Biotechnology and Molecular Biology Reviews; U.S.A; African Journal of Biochemistry Research, South Africa, African Health Sciences, Uganda; Eastern Journal of Medicine; Turkey

§ Teaching Assistant, Harvard University

§ Adjunct Assistant Professor, Massasoit Community College, Brockton, MA, U.S.A

§ Adjunct Assistant Professor, Bentley University, Waltham, MA U.S.A

Research Exposure

§ Postdoctoral scientist, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

§ Research Fellow in Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA

§ German Primate Center, Goettingen, Germany

§ Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya

Focus of the Research Fellowship

To gain a better knowledge of the spread of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Kenya through a molecular epidemiological surveillance whose focus is to identify newly emerging genetic forms of the virus and to describe mutations that confer resistance to the antiretroviral drugs in use by the local population. Key areas of focus include:

1. Collating the strains of HIV that have been described from Kenya using global HIV genomic databases

2. Describing past trends in molecular evolution of the virus.

3. Describing the current spatial and temporal distribution patterns of HIV-1 strains across Kenya using freshly collected samples and viral sequence profiles

4. Determination of the drug resistance profiles of HIV-1 virus.

5. Comparative assessment of drug levels in subjects failing and those not failing.

Expected impact of the research findings

The HIV-1 epidemic continues to evolve at the molecular level, requiring that our knowledge of present viral diversity be up to date if prevention and treatment strategies have to be effective. This study will provide the latest data on the genetic network of HIV-1 and transmission patterns. That data will include drug resistance and virological failure. Being able to monitor drug-resistance associated mutations is critical, because new strains have different propensities to treatments. This will be of value helping determine the spread of various genetic and drug resistant forms of HIV-1 across the country. Stakeholders can use this knowledge to design effective preventive, therapeutic, policy or programmatic response mechanisms to mitigate the impact of the epidemic. By developing a database specific for Kenya, Physicians, Scientists and other stakeholders will have snapshot access to relevant information that will speed access to quality service.

Anticipated Career development beyond the fellowship

This project offers several opportunities for development, both personally and collectively. It is a significant step towards solidifying personal career as an independent scientist and investigator. I look forward to partnering with individuals and institutions to establish a scientific team of HIV research professionals who will continue to improve our understanding HIV and host genetics and apply that knowledge to product development for treatment and prevention. To that end, I am already actively engaging collaborative network of senior as well as young and upcoming professionals in the field. With such networks, I will be focused on winning competitive grants to advance my team’s research objectives. The opportunity to actively mentor early stage scientists and graduate students into career paths in HIV research is currently central to my future development outlook. These scientists will form the bottom-line of my development plan; Research and Capacity building.