Collins Kigen

Experience

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  ICIPE - International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology

  Apr 2019 - Jul 2022

  I engaged in three projects on the role of Hippobosca (keds) in the transmission of livestock pathogens, the effects of blood host meal on the vectorial competence of Glossina fuscipes fuscipes, and the surveillance of vectors for leishmaniasis in northern Kenya. Specifically, I performed field collection of keds, microscopic diagnosis for trypanosomiasis, DNA extraction from insect and livestock blood samples, PCR detection of pathogens, Sanger sequencing and analysis, experimental infection of tsetse flies with trypanosomes, in vivo culture of trypanosomes, and participated in drafting reports and manuscripts.During the 2-year period, we demonstrated the vectorial competence of keds, which were initially perceived by farmers as harmless, in the transmission of Anaplasma. We also discovered and reported the vector of visceral leishmaniasis, Phlebotomus (Artemievus) alexandri Sinton, 1928, in Kenya, and established baseline data on host-specific factors in host blood influencing the transmission of trypanosomes. Show less

  • Research Intern (Bioinformatics)

    Oct 2021 - Jul 2022

  • Research Assistant (Molecular biology)

    Sept 2019 - Sept 2021

  • Research Intern

    Apr 2019 - Sept 2019
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  Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)

  Jul 2022 - now

  Research Scientist

  I am the genomics lead at MicroHub lab at KEMRI/WRAIR-Africa. I manage the team of molecular and bioinformatics staff in implementing the research program objectives including distributing job tasks. preparing technical reports, carrying out laboratory experiments such as DNA Extraction, PCR, Sequencing, Bioinformatics analysis, and manuscript writing. I am also in charge of organizing internal scientific seminars and journal clubs.