Rose Wambui Gatheru
I completed my undergraduate degree in Medical Biochemistry at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and an MSc in Immunology at Pwani University and KEMRI-Wellcome Trust, Kenya. My previous research experience in multidisciplinary research institutes has greatly shaped my research skills and strengthened my interest in infectious disease research.
I am currently a PhD student in Immunology and Inflammation at the University of Glasgow in collaboration with Strathclyde University funded by the NorthWest Bio Programme. My PhD project investigates the mechanisms underlying dendritic cell dysfunction during malaria infection. Despite extensive research efforts, malaria remains a major global public health challenge, particularly among children in malaria-endemic regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, where I am from.
Through this project, I integrate immunology, immunometabolism, and genomics to better understand host-parasite interactions during malaria infection and how they contribute to dendritic cell dysfunction, a process that remains poorly understood. Ultimately, this research aims to inform strategies for improving immune responses and enhancing vaccine efficacy in malaria-endemic populations.
Outside of academia, I enjoy playing board and card games, hiking, and exploring new places.