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DR Christine Makena Mbabu

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Staff Information
PERSONAL DETAILS
Designation
Tutorial Fellow
Corporate Email
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Personal Email
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Division / Faculty
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery
Directorate / Dept
Department of Veterinary Public Health, Pharmacology and Toxicology
Academic
Address
24245-00100
SUMMARY

I am a dedicated veterinarian and public health researcher with a strong academic and professional foundation in One Health, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), food safety, and zoonotic diseases. I hold a Master’s Degree in Veterinary Public Health from the University of Nairobi, where my research focused on Salmonella spp. prevalence and antimicrobial resistance in the pork value chain.

Currently, I serve as a Tutorial Fellow at Egerton University, I contribute to research and teaching, mentoring the next generation of veterinarians and public health professionals. My professional journey includes significant contributions to USAID-funded projects on zoonotic diseases and rabies awareness, as well as extensive experience in microbiological diagnostics, epidemiology, and project management. My work emphasizes the critical intersection of animal health, public health, and environmental health, aligning closely with the objectives of integrated health frameworks.

I am at my initial stages of my PhD research, I aim to improve food safety by investigating pathogens like Salmonella and Campylobacter in the poultry production chain, leveraging advanced tools like metagenome sequencing for wastewater surveillance. This research is designed to inform evidence-based interventions, ultimately contributing to better public health outcomes and food safety policies in Kenya.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

1. Initial stages of my PhD study.

2. Masters degree in Veterinary Public Health (University of Nairobi): 2018-2022

3. Bachelors degree in Veterinary Medicine (University of Nairobi): 2011-2017

FIELDS OF SPECIALIZATION

1. Veterinary Public Health

2. One Health

3. Food safety and quality

4. Antimicrobial resistance

5. Veterinary Microbiology

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
  1. 2023 Certificate of Completion: Mastering Grant Proposal Writing
  2. 2019 Certificate of Attendance: The HORN One Health Masterclass International

Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Kenya

  1. 2019 Certificate of Completion: Working Safely with Animals in Research
  2. 2016 - 2017 Certificate of Attendance: Animal Disaster Management and Veterinary

Emergency Response (VERU) University of Nairobi.

WORK EXPERIENCE

My Work Experience

I have extensive experience in the fields of One Health, veterinary public health, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and food safety, spanning research, project coordination, teaching, and stakeholder engagement. Key highlights of my professional journey include:

1. Tutorial Fellow, Egerton University

  • Role:
    Teach and mentor undergraduate and postgraduate students in veterinary public health and microbiology.
  • Key Achievements:
    • Supervised student research projects focusing on zoonotic diseases, food safety, and epidemiology.
    • Developed and delivered curricula that emphasize practical applications of One Health principles in veterinary and public health contexts.
    • Fostered interdisciplinary collaborations to enhance student learning and research output.

2.  Country Project Coordinator, Global Antimicrobial Resistance Partnership (GARP)-Kenya (KEMRI)

  • Role:
    Lead national initiatives to combat antimicrobial resistance using a One Health approach.
  • Key Achievements:
    • Coordinated research on antimicrobial use and resistance trends in agriculture and healthcare sectors.
    • Facilitated multi-stakeholder engagement with policymakers, researchers, and industry players to develop actionable strategies against AMR.
    • Contributed to developing AMR stewardship programs and capacity-building workshops.

3. Master’s Researcher, University of Nairobi

  • Focus:
    Investigated the prevalence of Salmonella spp. and antimicrobial resistance patterns in the pork value chain in Kenya.
  • Key Achievements:
    • Conducted microbiological diagnostics and antimicrobial susceptibility testing on foodborne pathogens.
    • Provided actionable recommendations to improve food safety practices in the pork value chain.
    • Published findings that informed local food safety policies.

 

4. Researcher and Project Contributor, USAID-Funded One Health Projects

  • Role:
    Contributed to research on zoonotic diseases and community awareness programs.
  • Key Achievements:
    • Conducted field studies on zoonotic disease prevalence and awareness, including rabies and brucellosis.
    • Designed and implemented community-based interventions to improve disease prevention and control.
    • Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams, including veterinarians, public health officers, and environmental scientists.
KEY PROJECTS

1. The value of vaccines in mitigating antimicrobial resistance. A GARP (glo

bal antimicrobial resistance partnership)—Kenya initiative.

2.  The prevalence of of Salmonella spp. and antimicrobial resistance

patterns in the pork value chain in Kenya.

 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research interest lies at the intersection of One Health, food safety, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and zoonotic diseases. I am particularly focused on understanding and mitigating the risks posed by foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella and Campylobacter, which contribute significantly to public health challenges in low- and middle-income countries like Kenya.

I am passionate about studying the prevalence, phenotypic, and genotypic characteristics of zoonotic pathogens along food production chains, especially in poultry and livestock systems. My goal is to identify critical control points where interventions can reduce contamination and improve food safety. Additionally, I am interested in exploring innovative methods, such as metagenome sequencing, to enhance surveillance systems for detecting pathogens in environmental reservoirs like wastewater.

My broader interests include:

Investigating drivers of antimicrobial resistance in food systems and developing stewardship programs to promote the responsible use of antimicrobials in agriculture.
Assessing knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) of food production actors to design tailored educational and capacity-building programs.
Bridging research and policy by translating scientific findings into actionable strategies that improve public health outcomes, strengthen food safety regulations, and foster sustainable agricultural practices.
Ultimately, my research seeks to integrate human, animal, and environmental health perspectives to develop holistic, evidence-based solutions that address pressing global health challenges.

LIST OF PUBLICATIONS
  1. Gichuyia, C. M., Thomas, L. F., Makena, C., Ochieng, L., Gathura, P. B., Onono, J. O., & Fèvre, E. M. (2023). Non-typhoidal salmonella contamination along the pork value chain in a rural East African setting: a cross-sectional study. Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 117(11), 811-813.
  2. Unger, F., Gichuyia, C., Thomas, L. F., Makena, C., Ochieng, L., Gathura, P., ... & Fèvre, E. M. (2023). Salmonella contamination and food safety practices along the pork value chain in a rural East African setting.
CONFERENCES & INVITED PRESENTATIONS

1. Global Antimicrobial resistance partnership (GARP) workshop.

TEACHING AREAS

Undergraduates:

1. Veterinary Public Health (Veterinary Medicine students)

2. Animal Welfare (Bachelor of science students)

3. Zoonoses, animal health, and Foodborne diseases (Food science and agriculture students)

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