John Gitau Email & Phone Number

Canada

Molecular surveillance of malaria coupled with mathematical modelling to assess asymptomatic infections in Kenya

Nairobi County, Kenya

Create mathematical models to analyze the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria in Kenya and recommend optimal interventions to mitigate the impact of malaria in the country.

Virtual

• A bioinformatics tutor and mentor leading students in R programming, high-performance computing using Linux , Git and GitHub, data communication and the fundamentals of data science.• Responsible for Cirriculm development and bioinformatics content creation

Kenya

• Developing pipelines to identify biomarkers driving breast cancer by profiling the human transcriptome in Kenyan women using R programming language and shell scripting. Successfully identified 884 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between breast cancer tumor and non-tumor adjacent tissues.• Conducting a population-based transcriptome comparative analysis of breast cancer progression in Kenyan, African American, and Caucasian populations to better understand the different molecular pathways driving breast cancer.• Using machine learning in R to generate functional modules, hub genes and regulatory motifs implicated in breast cancer by constructing a gene co-expression network from RNA-Seq data (Bulk RNA).• Interpreting and communicating breast cancer research findings to audiences with varied cancer biology knowledge.• Using bioinformatics tools such as STAR and HISAT2 to perform Next generation sequence assembly to locate reads location on the human reference genome.• Performing variant calling analyses using whole exome sequence datasets obtained from Kenyan breast cancer women.

Nairobi, Kenya

• A tutor of the courses data mining, applied bioinformatics, and database management systems at the Centre for biotechnology and bioinformatics University of Nairobi.• Leading bioinformatics training and workshops. I organized Mount Kenya University's first bioinformatics workshop, where I taught 60 undergraduate and postgraduate students how to analyze RNA-Seq data using Linux operating system and R programming. I also organized a Linux and R programming workshop at the University of Nairobi's Department of Biochemistry, where I demonstrated next generation sequence data analysis techniques, high-performance computing, Git and GitHub, and bash scripting as the foundations of reproducible research and open science.• Supporting MSc bioinformatics students design projects and analyze data using bioinformatics approaches.

Nairobi

• Supervised the analysis of raw materials (chemicals) to be used in production process to ascertain their compliance with ISO standards. Led a team of junior scientists in sampling and analysis of the quality, suitability and safety of all materials used in the production line.• Launched the Divo mask project, with the goal of enhancing product quality and customer satisfaction. The project focused on using a bottle maskant solution that increases the average number of trips for a returnable beverage glass bottle from twenty to fifty, boosting the return on investment by up to 50%, and improving bottle attractiveness.• Led the verification and maintenance of Kenya Breweries Limited's food safety and quality systems, hazard analysis and sanitation processes, prerequisite programs, manufacturing processes, and finished products.• Ensured corporate, regulatory, customer, and facility food safety and quality requirements were met, as well as the completion of corrections and corrective actions.• Investigated and followed up on food safety incidents that occurred in the plant to ensure they were reported and corrective action and permanent corrections were implemented.

Nairobi

• Performed Specimen reception, management and storage. • Conducted Immunofluorescent Antibody assays (IFA) to detect the presence of suspected respiratory viruses in cells. • Conducted research on cell organization and function including mechanisms of gene expression, cellular bioinformatics, cell signaling, or cell differentiation as well as developing guidelines for procedures including management of viruses to promote a safe working environment. • Participated in trainings and laboratory practicals involving Nucleic acid extraction, particularly RNA extraction from nasopharyngeal.• Recognized as the best intern of the year 2016 for time management, creativity, and resourcefulness. I successfully advised the laboratory administration to encourage senior researchers mentor interns and junior researchers.

Master Of Science - Msc, Bioinformatics, Distinction

Activities and Societies: Journal Club | Science Communication Thesis: Gene co-expression network analysis using unsupervised machine.

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Biochemistry, First Class Honors

Activities and Societies: Nairobi University Biochemistry Students Association | Journal Club Explored the pharmacogenetic risks.