Dr. Andrew Nyerere, an accomplished Senior Lecturer in the Department of Medical Microbiology (MMB) at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), has been appointed as a member of the Global Antibiotic Resistance Partnership (GARP) Kenya Technical Working Group (TWG) from February 24, 2024.
Organized by the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and the One Health Trust (OHT), the TWG aims to assess the impact of vaccines in combating antibiotic resistance.
As a microbiologist with a deep interest in the epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance and infectious disease transmission dynamics, Dr. Nyerere brings on board a wealth of expertise to the TWG. His commitment to address antibiotic resistance is evident through his extensive research efforts, particularly in the realm of vaccine development.
“Through my research, I realized that since the pipeline in producing new antibiotics was dry, there was a need to focus on prevention in countering antibiotic-resistant bacteria. I spearheaded the development of Masters and PhD degree programs in infectious diseases and vaccinology. These programs have garnered significant interest, attracting students from Kenya and across Africa, including countries like Rwanda, Burundi and Eritrea,” explained Dr Nyerere.
In his new at the TWG, Dr. Nyerere will play a pivotal role in various activities, including engaging experts in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and immunization fields, generating country-level estimates on the impact of vaccines on reducing infectious disease burden and AMR, and developing national-level reports highlighting the value of vaccines in mitigating AMR.
His vision aligns with that of GARP, which aims to build sustainable local capacity to address antibiotic use and resistance in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Leveraging his prior experiences, including serving in the education committee of the Kenya Infection and Prevention Network and as a member of the Editorial Board of the Tanzania Journal of Science, Dr. Nyerere hopes to tap from his pole position to advocate for increased collaboration between GARP and universities to foster relevant research initiatives.
Additionally, Dr. Nyerere aims to strengthen GARP’s mandate in professional curricula development to further enhance its impact in combating antibiotic resistance globally.
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