Prof. Isabella Oyier
Deputy Director, Kilifi & Head of Bioscience
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Prof. Isabella Oyier is Deputy Director Kilifi and the Head of the Biosciences Department at KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Program (KWTRP), a Professor of Molecular Epidemiology, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford a Calestous Juma Fellow, funded by BMGF and a Global Research Fellow at Reuben College, University of Oxford. Her current research focuses on integrating malaria molecular epidemiology into routine surveillance in Kenya. A project that partners with the Division of National Malaria Programme to implement malaria molecular surveillance activities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she led the COVID-19 testing for the Coastal region. KWTRP was a regional COVID-19 genomic surveillance reference lab for Africa CDC and WHO-Afro and she led and coordinated this effort. In addition, she is coordinating the scale up COVID-19 immunological surveillance in the East Africa region, to determine genetic variants with immune escape potential. More recently she is co-leading a Wellcome funded 4 pathogen genomics surveillance grant that cuts across 8 countries, Cambodia, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, Malawi, South Africa, Thailand and Vietnam.
See moreCurrent Work
Her research interests are in Plasmodium falciparum malaria molecular epidemiology, focusing on the spatial and temporal use of molecular tools to: 1) examine genetic variation in merozoite antigens that are potential candidates for blood stage vaccines and its impact on naturally acquired immunity; 2) define complexity of infection while examining the impact of interventions or changes in malaria epidemiology; 3) distinguish persistent infections and reinfections in both therapeutic efficacy studies and in longitudinal follow up of asymptomatic individuals; and 4) monitor drug resistance molecular markers.
Recent publications
Longitudinal Epidemiology and Variant Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in Coastal Kenya (2020-2025): Clinical Features and Wave Patterns.
Lambisia, A. W.
Nyiro, J.
Githinji, G.
Katama, E. N.
Moraa, E.
Mwita, J. M.
Mutunga, M.
Maina, G.
Bejon, P.
Phan, M. V. T.
Cotten, M.
Dellicour, S.
Ochola-Oyier, L. I.
Sande, C.
Holmes, E. C.
Nyagwange, J.
Agoti, C. N.
Open Forum Infect Dis, (2026). 13:ofag084
Pre-COVID-19 ex vivo cross-reactive IFN-gamma cellular response to SARS-CoV-2 spike overlapping peptides is more prevalent among Kenyan compared to Swedish adults.
Wanjiku, P.
Orindi, B.
Mwacharo, J.
Chemweno, J.
Karanja, H. K.
Kronsteiner, B.
Kai, O.
Wright, D.
Ochola-Oyier, L. I.
Sundling, C.
Dunachie, S.
Warimwe, G. M.
Farnert, A.
Bejon, P.
Ndungu, F. M.
Nduati, E. W.
BMC Infect Dis, (2026). 26:174
Evolving patterns of antimalarial drug resistance markers in symptomatic infections in Kenya, 2013-2022.
Magudha, J.
Ndwiga, L.
Akinyi, M. Y.
Wamae, K.
Osoti, V.
Kandie, R.
Kiplagat, R.
Keitany, K.
Bargul, J. L.
Akala, H. M.
Ochola-Oyier, L. I.
Parasit Vectors, (2026). 19:
Malaria vaccine protection against intradermal or venous parasites: a randomized phase 2b human challenge trial.
Kapulu, M. C.
Orenge, F.
Kimani, D.
Kibwana, E.
Kibet, H.
Mutahi, M.
Datoo, M. S.
Bellamy, D.
Musembi, J.
Ngoto, O.
Rashid, H.
Akinyi, S.
Mwatasa, M. H.
Nyamako, L.
Keter, K.
Gatheru, R.
Mutiso, A.
Musyoki, J.
Mwacharo, J.
Abebe, Y.
James, E. R.
Billingsley, P. F.
Ngetsa, C.
Mosobo, M.
Makale, J.
Tawa, B.
Wamae, K.
Ochola-Oyier, L. I.
Lawrie, A.
Ramos-Lopez, F.
Roberts, R.
Richie, T. L.
Sim, B. K. L.
Hoffman, S. L.
Ewer, K. J.
Hill, A. V. S.
Hamaluba, M.
Bejon, P.
Nat Med, (2026). 32:178-185
Stable Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein-1 allelic diversity despite decreasing parasitaemia in children with multiple malaria infections.
Yaa, R. M.
Kimenyi, K. M.
Palasciano, H. A.
Obiero, G.
Ochola-Oyier, L. I.
Malar J, (2025). 24:136