• Affiliate Associate Professor, Global Health
Biography 

Dr. Marianne Mureithi serves as the Chair of the Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, Kenya, and as Team Leader at the Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative - Institute of Clinical Research (KAVI-ICR). She is also a co-investigator in the ADVANCE program under the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI). Her educational background includes degrees from the University of Essex and the University of Bristol, as well as a post-doctoral fellowship from the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, USA, and the University of KwaZulu-Natal, SA. Driven by the dream of a world without AIDS, Her research focuses on characterizing the early stages of HIV infection, studying the phenotype of target cells in mucosal tissues, and investigating the establishment of mucosal viral reservoirs, particularly in the female genital tract. She also analyzes biological markers and metabolomics in early HIV infection to support vaccine design and treatment development.

Dr. Mureithi is also actively involved as a lead in the Kenya Research and Training Centre's priority area of Strengthening and Increasing Access to a Network of Facilities and Resources. She is also part of the leadership of the Women's Health Project in Mombasa, which is a collaborative initiative between the University of Nairobi and the University of Washington. The project aims to improve women's health outcomes by conducting research, implementing interventions, and providing comprehensive healthcare services.

She plays a key role in founding the postgraduate mentorship project at the University of Nairobi Recognizing the importance of mentorship, Dr. Mureithi has played a vital role in founding the postgraduate mentorship project at the University of Nairobi, where she actively mentors and supports the next generation of African scientific leaders. She has also participated in joint research initiatives, collaborated with diverse teams, and served on boards and committees related to infectious diseases and global health.

Education 
  • PhD, University of Bristol (UK)
  • BSc, University of Essex (UK)
Country Affiliations 
Languages 
  • English
  • Kikuyu
  • Kiswahili
Health Topics 
  • Education and Training
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Laboratory Strengthening
  • Operations Research
  • Pathogenesis
  • Prevention
  • Research Mentoring
  • Women's Health
DGH Centers, Programs and Initiatives and Affiliated Organizations