Dr Sophie Uyoga
Contact information
Research groups
Sophie Uyoga
Research scientist
Sophie trained as a biochemist in Kenya then specialized in Immunology and later obtained a PhD from the University of Heidelberg. Sophie has great interest in understanding how human genetics influences susceptibility to severe malaria. Her work focuses on red blood cell genetic polymorphisms namely hemoglobin S, alpha thalassemia, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and blood group antigens and also explores the effect of co-inheritance on protection afforded against severe malaria and other infectious diseases.
A Mid-Career research fellowship awarded by the Initiative to Develop African Research Leaders (IDeAL) has enabled Sophie to pursue another area of interest. She will be investigating the mechanisms behind the development and treatment of severe anemia with focus on the quality of donor blood on recovery from severe anemia and survival post-transfusion. She envisions that the study findings will inform future strategies to ensure efficient provision of services by blood transfusion services and policy makers in Africa.
Recent publications
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Factors affecting haemoglobin dynamics in African children with acute uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria treated with single low-dose primaquine or placebo.
Onyamboko MA. et al, (2023), BMC medicine, 21
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Pharmacokinetics of single low dose primaquine in Ugandan and Congolese children with falciparum malaria
Mukaka M. et al, (2023), eBioMedicine, 96, 104805 - 104805
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Non-O ABO blood group genotypes differ in their associations with Plasmodium falciparum rosetting and severe malaria.
Opi DH. et al, (2023), PLoS genetics, 19
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SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and implications for population immunity: Evidence from two Health and Demographic Surveillance System sites in Kenya, February-December 2022.
Kagucia EW. et al, (2023), Influenza and other respiratory viruses, 17
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Blood transfusion for children in sub-Saharan Africa: 200 years on.
Uyoga S. et al, (2023), The Lancet. Child & adolescent health, 7, 525 - 526