Assistant Principal Research Scientist
Kenya Medical Research Institute
Centre for Global Health Research

Nancy has over 17 years of experience of leading epidemiologic research and public health in the field of infectious disease research and prevention, especially related to respiratory diseases and maternal-child health. She combines a basic science background (Biology and Chemistry), with advanced training in Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Project Management and doctorate training in Project Monitoring and Evaluation.

Her work spans field of epidemiology and clinical surveillance, with a strong focus on respiratory viruses, including influenza, RSV, SARS-CoV-2, and maternal vaccine uptake. Her research integrates rigorous epidemiological methodology with real-world public health impact, helping inform vaccine policy and implementation in Kenya. She has also contributed to developmental efforts in laboratory capacity building and respiratory disease surveillance systems. She has led design and implementation of several vaccine studies targeting children, pregnant women, and healthcare workers, the findings of which have informed policy recommendations. Currently, she is a principal investigator of a multicountry Phase-IIIb individually randomized, placebo-controlled trial on safety of RSVA/B-preF vaccine in pregnant women and efficacy against severe RSV-associated lower respiratory tract infection in infants.

She has authored and co-authored more than 90 papers published in peer-reviewed public health and medical journals. She serves in different national and international scientific committees and advisory groups, including the Kenya national technical working group on respiratory pathogens, and international scientific advisory groups for the International Respiratory Syncytial Virus Society, and the Global Influenza Hospital Surveillance Network. She is also a council member of the International Society for Respiratory Viruses, and the President of the African Network for Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses Surveillance and Epidemiology.