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
Assessing the Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Mutations on Antibody Binding: A Comparative Assessment of the Wuhan and JN.1 Variants' Full-Length Spikes in a Multiplex Luminex Assay.
Journal article
Waweru G. et al, (2025), Viruses, 17
Comparative performance of the InBios SCoV-2 DetectTM IgG ELISA and the in-house KWTRP ELISA in detecting SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG antibodies in Kenyan populations
Journal article
Kutima B. et al, (2025), Wellcome Open Research, 9, 349 - 349
Clinicians in low- and middle-income settings need better access to point-of-care haemoglobin tests for identifying and managing children and pregnant women with severe anaemia.
Journal article
South A. et al, (2025), Tropical medicine & international health : TM & IH, 30, 231 - 234
Revealing the extent of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya based on serological and PCR-test data
Preprint
Ojal J. et al, (2024)
Comparative performance of the InBios SCoV-2 DetectTM IgG ELISA and the in-house KWTRP ELISA in detecting SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG antibodies in Kenyan populations
Journal article
Kutima B. et al, (2024), Wellcome Open Research, 9, 349 - 349