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Professor Njeri Wamae
Professor of Parasitology

Name: Prof. Njeri Wamae

Email: nwamae@usiu.ac.ke | Telephone: +254730 116 822

Biography:

Prof. Njeri Wamae is Professor of Tropical Medicine; Chairperson, Kenya National Guinea Worm Eradication Certification Committee (KNGWECC), Member, Expert Committee on Elimination and Certification of Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (Kenya) and Board Member, Operation Eyesight Universal Canada (Kenya Office) www.operationeyesight.com; Member, Advisory Board-THRIVE- www.thrive.or.ug. She continues with her research activities in neglected tropical and zoonotic diseases as well as examining theses/dissertations and supervising graduate students at local and international universities. More recently, she was Board Chairperson, National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI)-www.nacosti.go.ke as well as member, Steering Group, Global Alliance to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GAELF- www.filaria.org).
Previously, she was Chief Research Officer, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and Director, Centre for Microbiology Research, KEMRI; Njeri is the Founding Director, Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control (ESACIPAC). She has held the position of Acting Dean, Directorate of Research and Development at Kenya Methodist University (KeMU); Lecturer, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and Kenya Medical Training College as well as visiting Professor/Researcher, Nagasaki University; Japan and Guest Researcher, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta. She has published over seventy publications of which about sixty are in peer-reviewed journals. Njeri has supervised nineteen post graduate students (eighteen to completion). Additionally, she engages in reviewing manuscripts for various local and international journals and serves on consultancies such as for World Health Organization (WHO) as Temporary Advisor in neglected tropical diseases as well as Africa Region Program (NTD) Review Group. She has been invited to various international meetings where she served as a Key Note Speaker and she also is a member of the WHO (Geneva), Expert Committee, Parasitic Diseases (Filariasis). Njeri is the awardee of 2018 TOFAC Nelson Mandela Distinguished Africanist Award. In recognition for her Pioneering and Inspirational Spirit, Prof. Wamae was recently awarded the 2018 Clara Southmayd Ludlow Medal, a very prestigious medal by the American Society of Tropical Medicine.

Academic Degrees

  • PHD (Parasitology) -Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA 1991 – 1995
  • MSPH (MSc in Public Health)- Tulane University, New Orleans, USA 1983 - 1985
  • BSc (Parasitology and Medical Entomology) Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green,
  • Ohio, USA 1977-1980

Professional Bodies’ Membership:

  • American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH)
  • American Society of Parasitologists (ASP)
  • Pan Africa Mosquito Control Association (PAMCA)
  • Commonwealth Institute of Directors (IoD) Kenya
  • Christian Science Association of Kenya (CSAK)

Editorial, Manuscript and Proposal Review Skills

  • PloS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Manuscript Reviewer Present
  • American Journal of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene, Manuscript Reviewer Present
  • International Journal of Infectious Diseases, Manuscript Reviewer Present
  • The East African Medical Journal, Manuscript Reviewer Present
  • African Journal of Health Sciences, Manuscript Reviewer Present
  • Journal of Parasitology Research, Guest Editor 2011-2012
  • International Journal of Professional Practice, Editorial Board Member 2010-2011
  • KEMRI Publications Committee, Manuscript Reviewer and Assessor 2002-2009
  • Filaria Journal, On-line Journal, Editorial Committee Member 2001-2008
  • Rockefeller Foundation, Proposal Reviewer and Assessor 1997-2001

Select work achievements in video links

Selected Publications in Peer-Reviewed Journals:

  1. Kasati R, Onsongo J and Wamae CN (2020). Long walk to a guinea worm disease free Kenya. Bulletin WHO (Submitted)
  2. Wamae CN (2020). Mass drug administration and worms experience in Africa: Envisage repurposing of ivermectin for COVID-19. Am. J. Trop Med Hyg. 103 (1): 10-11 doi: 10-4269/ajtmh 20-0295
  3. de Glanville WA, Thomas LF, Cook EAJ, de C. Bronsvoort BM, Wamae NC, Kariuki Sand Fèvre EM (2019). Household socio-economic position and individual infectious disease risk in rural Kenya. Scientific Reports. 9: 2972
  4. William A. de Glanville, Lian F. Thomas, Elizabeth A. J. Cook, Barend M. de C. Bronsvoort, Nicola Wardrop, Claire N. Wamae, Samuel Kariuki and Eric M. Fèvre (2018). General contextual effects on neglected tropical disease risk in rural Kenya. PLos Negl. Trop. Dis. 12(12):e0007016.https://doi.org/10.1371/ journal.pntd.0007016
  5. Thomas LF, de Glanville WA, Cook EAJ, Bronsvoort BM, Handel I, Wamae CN, Kariuki S, Fèvre EM (2017). Modelling the risk of Taenia solium exposure from pork produced in western Kenya. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 11(2): e0005371
  6. Njenga SM, Kanyi HM, Mutungi FM, Okeyo C, Matendechero HS, Pullan RL, Halliday KE, Brooker SJ, Wamae CN, Onsongo JK, Won KY (2017). Assessment of lymphatic filariasis prior to re-starting mass drug administration campaigns in coastal Kenya. Parasit & Vectors. 10:99
  7. Cook EAJ, Grossi-Soyster EN, de Glanville WA, Thomas LF, Kariuki S, Bronsvoort BMC, Wamae CN, LaBeaud AD, Fèvre EM (2017). The sero-epidemiology of Rift Valley fever in people in the Lake Victoria Basin of western Kenya. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017 Jul 7; 11(7):e0005731. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005731. e Collection 2017 Jul.
  8. Fèvre EM, de Glanville WA, Thomas LF, Cook EAJ, Kariuki S, Wamae CN (2017). An integrated study of human and animal infectious disease in the Lake Victoria crescent small-holder crop-livestock production system, Kenya. BMC Infect Dis. 17(1):457. doi: 10.1186/s12879-017-2559-6.
  9. Wardrop NA, Thomas LF, Atkinson PM, de Glanville WA, Cook EA, Wamae CN (2016). Fèvre EM. The Sero-epidemiology of Coxiella burnetii in Humans and Cattle, Western Kenya: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Study. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2016 Oct 7; doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0005032 October.eCollection
  10. Irvine MA, Njenga SM, Gunawardena S, Wamae CN, Cano J, Brooker SJ, Hollingsworth TD. Understanding the relationship between prevalence of microfilariae and antigenaemia using a model of lymphatic filariasis infection. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2016;110: 118–124
  11. Thomas LF, Harrison LJ, Toye P, de Glanville WA, Cook EA, Wamae CN, Fèvre EM.(2016). Prevalence of Taenia solium cysticercosis in pigs entering the food chain in western Kenya. Trop Anim Health Prod. 48(1):233-8. doi: 10.1007/s11250-015-0949-6. Epub 2015 Nov 18.
  12. Wardrop NA, Thomas LF, Atkinson PM, de Glanville WA, Cook EA, Wamae CN, Gabriël S, Dorny P, Harrison LJ, Fèvre EM PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2015 Dec 7; The Influence of Socio-economic, Behavioural and Environmental Factors on Taenia spp. Transmission in Western Kenya: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Survey in Humans and Pigs. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 9(12), doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004223. e Collection 2015.
  13. Tremblay M, Dahm JS, Wamae CN, DE Glanville WA, Fèvre EM, Döpfer D (2015). Shrinking a large dataset to identify variables associated with increased risk of Plasmodium falciparum infection in Western Kenya. Epidemiol Infect. 16: 1-8. Epub ahead of print
  14. Njenga SM, Mutungi FM, Wamae CN, Mwanje MT, Njiru KK, Bockarie MJ (2014). Once a year school-based deworming with praziquantel and albendazole combination may not be adequate for control of urogenital schistosomiasis and hookworm infection in Matuga District, Kwale County, Kenya. Parasit & Vectors. 19; 7:74. doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-7
  15. Wanyiri JW, Kanyi H, Maina S, Wang DE, Steen A, Ngugi P, Kamau T, Waithera T, O'Connor R, Gachuhi K, Wamae CN, Mwamburi M, Ward HD (2014). Cryptosporidiosis in HIV/AIDS patients in Kenya: clinical features, epidemiology, molecular characterization and antibody responses. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 91(2):319-28. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.13-0254.
  16. J. W. Wanyiri, H. Kanyi, S. Maina, D. E.Wang, P. Ngugi, R. O’Connor, T. Kamau, K. Gachuhi, C. N. Wamae, M. Mwamburi, H. D. Ward (2013). Infectious Diarrhea in HIV/AIDS patients in Kenya. Trans Roy Soc Trop Med Hyg. 107 (10): 61-8
  17. E.K. Maina, C. Kiiyukia, C.N. Wamae, P.G. Waiyaki and S. Kariuki (2013). Characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from skin and soft tissue infections in patients in Nairobi, Kenya. Int. J. Infec. Dis. 17: E115-E119
  18. Nguhiu P.N., Wamae C.N., Magambo J.K., Mbuthia P.G., Chai D.C. and Yole D.S. (2012). Gross and histopathological findings in Cercopithecus aethiops with experimental infection of Cyclospora in Kenya. Path. Lab. Med. Int. 4: 13-20
  19. F. Addy, A. Alakonya , C. N.Wamae, J. Magambo, C. Mbae, E. Mulinge, E. Zeyle, M. Wassermann, P. Kern and T. Romig.Prevalence and diversity of cystic echinococcosis in livestock in Masailand, Kenya. Parasitol. Res. (Published Online, August, 2012)
  20. Njenga S.M., Mwandawiro C.S., Wamae C.N, Mukoko D.A, Omar A, Shimada M, Bockarie M.J and Molyneux D.H (2011). Sustained reduction in prevalence of lymphatic filariasis infection in spite of missed rounds of mass drug administration in an area under mosquito nets for malaria. Parasites & Vectors. 4 (1): 90-99
  21. C.N. Wamae, S.M. Njenga, B.M. Ngugi, J.Mbui, S.M.Gatika, and H.K.Njaanake (2011). Comparative effectivenesss of diethylcarbamazine, albendazole and co-administration of both drugs on Wuchereria bancrofti infection. Acta Tropica. 120S: S33-S38
  22. J.N. Mwangi, A. Kisia, C.N. Wamae and E.A. Bukusi (2011). A comparison between self- and clinical-collected vaginal swabs for detection of bacterial vaginosis among women in Kisumu, Kenya. Intl. J. Prof. Practice. 2 (2). 181-190
  23. C. Celum, A.Wald, J.R. Lingapa et.al, and Partners in Prevention of HSV/HIV Transmission Study Team (2010). Acylovil and transmission of HIV-1 from persons infected with HIV-1 and HSV-2. New Engl. J. Med. 362 (5). 427-439
  24. C.N. Wamae (2009). Circulating money is vector of common disease causing agents. East Afr. Med. J. 88 (4):149-50.
  25. J.N. Kiiru, S.M.Saidi, B.M. Goddeeris, C.N. Wamae, P. Butaye and S.M. Kariuki (2009). Molecular characteristics of Vibrio cholerae 01 strains carrying SXT/R391-like element from cholera outbreaks in Kenya:1994-2007. BMC Microbiol. 29; 9: 275.
  26. S.M. Njenga, C.N. Wamae, D.W. Njomo, C.S.Mwandawiro and D.H. Molyneaux. (2008). Impact of trwo rounds of treatment with diethylcarbamazine and albendazole of Wuchereria Bancrofti infection and the sensitivity of the immunochromatographic test in Malindi, Kenya. Trans. R. Soc. Trop. Med. Hyg. 102 (5): 1017-1024.
  27. Wangeci Gatei, Charles Anthony Hart, Cecilia Mbae, Njeri Wamae, Erastus Mulinge,, Stanley Kamwati, Gunturu Revathi, Lihua Xiao.(2008) Molecular epidemiology and population Substructure of Cryptosporidium hominis in children in Kenya. Infec, Genetics Evol. J
  28. R.M. Ngure, S.M. Karanja, N.K. Mungatana, C.N. Wamae, J.M. Ngotho and C.W. Gichuki (2008) Biochemical changes in cerebrospinal fluid of Chlrocerbus aethiops naturally infected with zoonotic Meningonema peruzzii. J. Med Primatology 37 (4): 212-214
  29. Z.A. Kwena, A. Sharma, C.T. Muga, C.N. Wamae and E. A. Bukusi. (2008). Management of simulated patients with sexually transmitted infections by staff of retail pharmacies in Kibera Slums of Nairobi. East Afri. Med. J. 85 (9): 419-24.
  30. Z. Kwena, A. Sharma, N. Wamae C. Muga, and E. Bukusi. (2008). Provider characteristics among staff providing care to sexually transmitted infection self- medicating patients in retail pharmacies in Kibera Slum, Nairobi, Kenya. Sex Transm Dis 35 (5):480-483
  31. S.M. Njenga, C.N. Wamae, C.S. Mwandawiro and D.H. Molyneaux. (2007). Immune- parasitological assessment of bancroftian filariasis in a highly endemic area along River Sabaki, in Malindi district, Kenya. Ann. Trop. Med. Parasitol. 101 (2): 161-72.
  32. S.M. Njenga, C.N. Wamae, D.W. Njomo, C.S.Mwandawiro and D.H. Molyneaux. (2007). Chronic clinical manifestations related to Wuchereria bancrofti infection in a highly endemic area in Kenya. Trans. R. Soc. Trop. Med. Hyg. (101(5): 439-44.
  33. R.M. Karanja, W. Gatei and N. Wamae. (2007) Cyclosporiasis: an emerging public health concern around the world and Africa. Afr. Health Sci. 7(2): 62-7.
  34. Wangeci Gatei, Claire N. Wamae, Cecilia Mbae, Anthony Waruru, Erastus Mulinge, Tabitha Waithera, Simon M. Gatika, Stanely K. Kamwati, Gunturu Revathi, and Charles A. Hart Cryptosporidiosis: Prevalence, Genotype analysis, and Symptoms associated with infections in children in Kenya. Am J. Trop. Med. Hyg., 75 (1), 2006, pp. 78-82
  35. Bii C. C. Makimura K., Abe S., Taguchi H., Mugasia O.M., Revathi G., Wamae C.N., Kamiya S. (2006) Serotypes and azole resistance in Cryptococcus neoformans MAT from clinical sources in Nairobi Kenya. Mycoses. 450: 25-30
  36. Bii C.C., Kose J, Taguchi H., Amukoye E., Ouko T.T., Muita L.C., Mugasia O., Wamae N., and Kamiya S (2006). Pneumocystis jiroveci and microbiological findings in children with severe pneumonia in Nairobi, Kenya. (Int. J.Tuberc Lung Dis. 10(11):1286-1291.
  37. C.N. Wamae, S.M. Njenga, W.M. Kisingu, P.W. Muthigani and K. Kiiru. (2006). Community-directed treatment of lymphatic filariasis in Kenya and its role in the global program for elimination of lymphatic filariasis. Afr.J. Health Sc. 13 (27):69-79.
  38. Njenga S.M., Wamae N., Mwandawiro C. and Molyneux D. (2005). Impact of mass drug administration of diethylcarbamazine/albendazole to eliminate lymphatic filariasis. Malindi, Kenya. Am J Trop Med and Hyg. 73 (6):93 (Suplement-Abstracts of the 54th annual meeting of the ASTMH, Washington, DC
  39. C.C. Bii, Taguchi H, Ouko TT, Muita LW, Wamae CN, Kamiya S. (2005). Detection of virulence related genes by multiplex PCR in multidrug-resistant diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli isolates from Kenya and Japan. Epid. Inf. 33 (4): 627-33.
  40. R.Garg, L. A. Lee, M.J. Beach, C.N. Wamae, U. Ramakrishnan and M.S. Deming (2002). Evaluation of the integrated management of childhood illness guidelines for treatment of intestinal helminth infections among sick children aged 2-4 years in western Kenya. Trans. Roy. Soc. Trop. Med. Hyg.96 543-548.
  41. C.N. Wamae, C.S. Mwandawiro, E. A.Wambayi, S.M. Njenga and F.M. Kiliku. (2002). A review lymphatic filariasis in Kenya, since 1910 and the prospects for its elimination.E. A. Med. J. 78(11): 595-599.
  42. S.M. Njenga and C.N. Wamae (2001) Comparison of the ICT filariasis card test using whole capillary blood: comparison with Knott's concentration and the counting chamber methods. J. Parasitol. 87 (5): 1140-3
  43. J. Horton, C.Witt , E.A.Ottesen, J.K.Lazdins, D.G.Addiss, K.Awadzi, M.J.Beach, V.Y.Belizario S.K. Dunyo, M. Espinel, J.O.Gyapong, M.Hossain, M.M.Ismail, R.L.Jayakody, P.J.Lammie,W.Makunde, D.Richard- Lenoble, B.Selve , R.K.Shenoy, P.E.Simonsen, C.N.Wamae, M.V.Weerasooriya. (2000). An analysis of the safety of the single dose, to drug regimens used in programmes to eliminate lymphatic filariasis. Parasitol. 121 Suppl: S147-60
  44. C.N. Wamae and Gabriel G. Mbugua. (2000) Integrated management of multiple helminthiasis and the community role in areas with multiple helminthiasis. E. A. Med J. 77(11): 631
  45. I.K. Mwobobia, E.M. Muniu, Y.Kombe and C.N.Wamae (2000). Hydrocelectomy: a proxy for hydrocele prevalence in coastal Kenya. Ann. Trop. Med. Hyg. 94(5): 479.
  46. C.N. Wamae and P.J. Lammie. (1998) Hematuria in Coastal Kenya is Associated with Schistosoma haematobium and not Wuchereria bancrofti Infection. Trans. Roy. Soc. Trop. Med. & Hyg. 92: 63.
  47. C.N. Wamae, S.M. Gatika, J.M. Roberts and P.J. Lammie (1998) Wuchereria bancrofti in Kwale District, Coastal Kenya: Patterns of focal distribution of infection, clinical manifestations and antifilarial IgG responsiveness, Parasitol. 116:173.
  48. C.N. Wamae and Y. Fujimaki (1996). Recovery of Schistosoma haematobium eggs in venous blood collected for diagnosis of Wuchereria bancrofti Infection: Short Communication. Ann.Trop. Med. Parasitol. 90(1): 87.
  49. C.N. Wamae, P.J. Lammie and J.N. Muttunga (1995). Bancroftian Filariasis: Profile of Serum Antifilarial Antibody and Circulating Parasite Antigen. E.A. Med. J. 72(8): 492.
  50. C.N. Wamae (1994). Advances in the Diagnoses of Human Lymphatic Filariasis (A Review). E.A. Med. J. 71(3): 171.
  51. C.N. Wamae, J.M. Roberts, M.L. Eberhard and P.J. Lammie (1992). Kinetics of Circulating Human IgG4 following diethylcarbamazine and ivermectin treatment of bancroftian filariasis. J. Inf. Dis. 165:1158.
  52. C.N. Wamae and F.O. Odongo (1990). New natural filarial parasites of nonhuman primates in Kenya: A potential use as laboratory model/s for onchocerciasis. Acta Leidensia. 59: 373.
  53. O. Bain, C.N. Wamae and G.D.F. Reid (1989). Description de Cercopithifilaria verveti n.sp.filaire sous cutanée d'un Cercopithèque au Kenya. Ann. Parasitol. Hum. Comp. 64:42
  54. O. Bain, C.N. Wamae and G.D.F. Reid (1988). Diversite des Filaires du genre Cercopithifilaria chez les babouins au Kenya. Ann. Parasitol. Hum. Comp. 63: 224.

Books and Book Chapter Publications

  1. C. Njeri Wamae and Sammy M. Njenga (2008). Diagnostic techniques and their role in lymphatic filariasis control programmes in Eastern and Southern Africa. In Paul E. Simonsen, Mwele N. Malecela, Edwin Michael, Charles D. Mackenzie (Eds), Lymphatic Filariasis Research and Control in Eastern and Southern Africa (pp. 11–29). Denmark: Kailow Graphics A/S
  2. Gyapong, M. Gyapong, G. Owusu-Banahene, C. N. Wamae, S. M. Njenga and D.N. Mukoko. (2000). Community-Directed Treatment of Lymphatic Filariasis in Africa, Report of a multi-country study. TDR/IDE/RP/CDT/00.
  3. C.N. Wamae (1995). An Immunoepidemiological Study of Wuchereria bancrofti in Muhaka, Kwale District, South Coastal, Kenya. 204 pages. (PhD. Dissertation submitted to the Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine Graduate School, Tulane University, Louisiana, USA).

Other Publications

  1. C.N. Wamae (2012) Supporting the National Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Master Plan Launch, Nairobi, Kenya. Report to WHO/AFRO, Harare, Zimbabwe (42 Pages plus appendices)
  2. C.N. Wamae (2010). Documentation of best Practices in Integrated Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases in Uganda. Report to WHO/AFRO, Harare, Zimbabwe (31 Pages)
  3. C.N.Wamae 2008), accessed 23/09/2010
  4. C.N. Wamae, J. Mwanza, S. Makama and the CDC group (2000). Palmar pallor as an indicator for anthelminthic treatment in ill children aged 2-4 years, western Kenya –1998. MMWR 49(13), 278-281
  5. C. N. Wamae, J. Mwanza, S. Makama , International Child Survival and Emerging Infections Program Support Activity and Epidemiology Branch, National Centre for Infectious Diseases and an EIS Officer (2000). Palmar pallor as an indicator for anthelminthic treatment among ill children aged 2-4 years-western Kenya, 1998
  6. N. Wamae. (1997) River blindness in Special Features. Dear Doctor. The Family Medical Question and Answer Magazine 1 (4):16-17
  7. N. Wamae. (1997) River blindness in Special Features. Dear Doctor. The Family Medical Question and Answer Magazine 1 (4):16-17
  8. N. Wamae. (1997) Filariases disease. Dear Doctor. The Family Medical Question and Answer Magazine 1 (4):17
  9. N. Wamae (1997). New Hope for Global Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis. Dear Doctor. The Family Medical Question and Answer Magazine 1 (6): 25-26
  10. N. Wamae. (1997).The other human filariae infections. Dear Doctor. The Family Medical Question and Answer Magazine. 1 (6): 26-31
  11. C.N. Wamae, W. Ndiritu and F.M. Kiliku (1997). Brugia patei in a domestic cat from Lamu Island, Kenya. Filarial Links. 2(1): 7
  12. N. Wamae. 1996. Biology of worm that causes river blindness. Daily Nation-Health, Science and Environment

Teaching

  • Control of Parasitic Diseases
  • Microbiology (Medical Parasitology)
  • Medical Entomology
  • Research Methods

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