Dr Maurice Odiere

Dr. Odiere is a Research Scientist and Head, Neglected Tropical Diseases Unit, at the Kenya Medical Research Institute, Centre for Global Health Research, Kisumu. His formal training is in parasitology with a background in malaria and schistosomiasis. He is an established biomedical researcher working on neglected tropical diseases at KEMRI. His current research focuses on understanding the distribution, prevalence, intensity and morbidities associated with schistosomiasis (SCH) and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH), determinants of resistance to SCH, SCH co-infections with other diseases, and qualitative studies towards understanding the socio-behavioral dynamics of infection. He has also been involved in operational research evaluating mass drug administration control strategies for SCH and STH, and evaluating performance of diagnostic tools as alternatives to the Kato-Katz technique. He is currently spearheading efforts in a phase III clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of pediatric praziquantel for young children suffering from schistosomiasis. He has co-authored several peer-review publications. He has served as temporal adviser/consultant to the WHO/AFRO on Preventive Chemotherapy & Mapping for Schistosomiasis and Soil-Transmitted helminthiasis (STH). He is currently Chair, National Schistosomiasis & Soil-transmitted helminthiasis Technical Advisory Group (TAG) and Vice-Chair of the WHO Schistosomiasis Diagnostics Technical Advisory Group (SCH-DTAG).