Dr. Marianne Wanjiru Mureithi is a translational immunologist and Associate Professor of Medical Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Nairobi, Affiliate Associate Professor in Global Health at the University of Washington, and Director of the KAVI Institute of Clinical Research. She leads multidisciplinary programmes spanning HIV, TB, HPV, mucosal immunity, vaccine research, and the SeriHealth initiative — advancing silk-based biomaterials for health innovation. Her work bridges laboratory science, clinical trials, and community partnerships to strengthen Africa-led research, equitable access to prevention technologies, and the mentorship of emerging scientists.
Dr. Mureithi manages international grants, supervises postgraduate researchers, and coordinates partnerships with ministries, industry, and global collaborators — consistently focused on translating research into deployable diagnostics, prevention tools, and community programmes.
She holds a PhD in Medical Microbiology and Immunology and completed postdoctoral fellowships at the Ragon Institute (Harvard/MIT) and the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She is a recipient of Gates Foundation awards, Falling Walls Women in Science recognition, and an IAS Academy fellowship.
She is inspired by African women scientists shaping research and institutions, believing that expanding women’s leadership advances equity and ensures solutions reflect the real needs of the communities they serve.
Fun fact: Some of Dr. Mureithi’s best ideas emerge while coordinating busy family schedules — and she cheers just as loudly at her children’s sports events as she does at scientific breakthroughs.