Gladys Macharia Email & Phone Number

London, Gb

• Search and evaluation of innovative vaccine technologies, and catalyse the development of longer-term relationships with promising developers.• Develop and lead a scouting approach for vaccine technologies from the Global South.• Technical evaluation of vaccine platform technologies, including eligibility review, peer review and due diligence.

London, England, United Kingdom

• Identified biological characteristics of HIV (sequence and phenotype) that influence HIV disease pathogenesis that can can be vaccine targets. • Managed a portfolio of virology projects. • Scientific communication internally and at international conferences.

London, United Kingdom

• Investigated the role of HIV founder virus characteristics in shaping HIV disease pathogenesis. I amplified and sequenced HIV founder viruses, and cloned chimeric viruses expressing patient derived GAG genes, which I then characterised for replicative fitness, mechanism of spread between cells, and ex-vivo immune responses. • Liaised with partners at the Emory Vaccine Centre and several clinical research centres in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda in a large multicentre study to… Show more • Investigated the role of HIV founder virus characteristics in shaping HIV disease pathogenesis. I amplified and sequenced HIV founder viruses, and cloned chimeric viruses expressing patient derived GAG genes, which I then characterised for replicative fitness, mechanism of spread between cells, and ex-vivo immune responses. • Liaised with partners at the Emory Vaccine Centre and several clinical research centres in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda in a large multicentre study to characterise HIV variants. • Supported the ADVANCE 5-year grant including reporting and presentation to USAID Show less

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

• Single genome amplification of full length HIV strains• PACBIO sequencing and phylogenetic analysis• Molecular cloning of HIV transmitted founder strains and chimeric variants • Viral fitness assays

Kilifi, Kenya

• Investigated the role of cellular immunity in the protection of exposed but persistently seronegative individuals from infection with HIV. Explored the possibility of aborted HIV infections in a subset of individuals by PCR and sequencing.• Prepared study related documents including protocols and amendments, regulatory reviews, analytical plans, data management/analysis plans and reports.• Held kick-off meeting to assemble project teams, assign tasks, identify resources and… Show more • Investigated the role of cellular immunity in the protection of exposed but persistently seronegative individuals from infection with HIV. Explored the possibility of aborted HIV infections in a subset of individuals by PCR and sequencing.• Prepared study related documents including protocols and amendments, regulatory reviews, analytical plans, data management/analysis plans and reports.• Held kick-off meeting to assemble project teams, assign tasks, identify resources and review timelines to ensure clarity of roles and deliverables, compensation of study participants and site closeout visits to ensure completeness of collected data and resolution of any outstanding issues.• Prepared progress reports and presentation to internal research teams and sponsors. Show less

Kilifi, Kenya

• Carried out a pilot study to evaluate B cell phenotype and memory to trimeric gp140 in HIV exposed but seronegative individuals.• Evaluated the feasibility of mucosal sampling for vaccine clinical trials and recovery of cells from mucosal tissues.• Highlighted by USAID in an article on World AIDS day for my efforts in HIV vaccine research and capacity building.

San Diego, California, United States

• Antibody neutralisation assays • ADCC Assays• Site directed mutagenesis • Molecular cloning to make HIV pseudo viruses

Nairobi

• I isolated and characterized naturally occuring microorganisms capable of degrading agro-waste with production of organic acids and then characterized the requirements for their optimum growth and fermentation. I isolated 8 species of bacteria and 2 species of yeasts of great industrial potential for the production of lactic acid for subsequent conversion into lactic acid biopolymers.• Performed public engagement through a USAID sponsored outreach program to promote community… Show more • I isolated and characterized naturally occuring microorganisms capable of degrading agro-waste with production of organic acids and then characterized the requirements for their optimum growth and fermentation. I isolated 8 species of bacteria and 2 species of yeasts of great industrial potential for the production of lactic acid for subsequent conversion into lactic acid biopolymers.• Performed public engagement through a USAID sponsored outreach program to promote community understanding of the role of genetic modification on food safety and security. Show less

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Clinical Medicine Research (Immunology/Virology)

I sequenced and cloned HIV transmitted founder variants from acute HIV infection and investigated how biological properties.

Master'S Degree, Immunology

I investigated the role of the replicative capacity of the transmitted HIV in determining levels of immune activation at acute HIV.

Bachelors Of Science, Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research And Allied Professions