Profile

Favourite thing to do in my job: Reading work conducted by scientists from other continents and interpreting it in our research context in Kenya and Africa.

About Me

I am an ambitious young scientist interested in developing my career in infectious diseases research to fight diseases in Kenya and Africa using state-of-the-art research techniques.

My work

My research seeks to understand where viruses come from and how they spread from one person to another causing disease, with an aim of developing better strategies to control their spread.

My Typical Day

I log onto my computer and check whether the analyses that I am running are working, if not, I figure out what went wrong with the analysis scripts. If working, I set up new analyses to analyse research data that I write reports on for public health importance.

What I'd do with the money

I am a member of the Rotary International (https://www.rotary.org/en), which does community service all over the world. I am based in Rotary Club of Kilifi (http://www.kilifirotaryclub.org/club-information/club-officers/), where I participate in community service. I will donate the money to my Rotary club to purchase science textbooks for the public library in Kilifi, Kenya.

My Interview

• How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

  Infectious Diseases Researcher.

  What was your favourite subject at school?

  Biology.

  What did you want to be after you left school?

  A medical doctor.

  Were you ever in trouble at school?

  No, I was actually a prefect :-)

  If you weren't a scientist, what would you be?

  A comedian!

  Who is your favourite singer or band?

  Bob Marley.

  What's your favourite food?

  Seafood platter.

  What is the most fun thing you've done?

  Snorkeling.

  If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!

  To have a great career; to be more handsome; and to live long!

  Tell us a joke.

  You must be joking :-)