Maureen K. Luvanda, PhD
Infectious Diseases
SDG Focus: Good Health & Well Being (SDG3)
Dr. Maureen K. Luvanda (Ph.D.) is a Kenyan infectious diseases specialist, researcher and scientific entrepreneur with over a decade of impactful contributions in clinical and veterinary research. Her professional journey spans four continents (Africa, Asia, Europe and North America) where she has led and contributed to innovative projects in vaccine development and public health. Dr. Luvanda earned her Ph.D. in Infection, Immunity and Transplantation from the Medical University of Innsbruck (MUI), Austria, graduating with a distinction as the first African woman to receive the prestigious HOROS Doctoral Fellowship. Her doctoral research unveiled the novel immunosuppressive effects of Corticosteroids, specifically Dexamethasone, in the context of fungal infections, utilizing advanced 3-Dimensional lung models. As a Postdoctoral Fellow and Project Manager at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), she contributed to the development of recombinant vaccines against livestock diseases, enhancing food security and animal health in Kenya. Dr. Luvanda also serves as the Head of Research and Development at Jumba Engineering Services (JES) Ltd where she oversees strategic innovation initiatives, fosters collaborations and leads cutting-edge research to align the organization’s objectives with market demands. In 2024, Dr. Luvanda received a grant from the Biochemical Society, UK to establish Inclusive Scientific Ltd (IncluScief), a Nairobi-based social enterprise. Her vision through IncluScief is to ensure that marginalized communities and underrepresented groups have equitable access to scientific knowledge and solutions. Dr. Luvanda’s academic accomplishments are complemented by an MSc in Infectious Diseases and a BSc in Medical Laboratory Science, both from Kenyatta University, Kenya. Her research, supported by organizations such as UNESCO and Tiny Beam Inc., has led to several peer-reviewed publications.
Cohort 2 Project: Bridging the gap between research and societal impact
Dr. Luvanda is passionate about capacity-building and inclusivity, Dr. Luvanda actively works with young scientists and advocates for equitable healthcare practices. Her work with the Tsuha Foundation will continue to bridge the gap between research and societal impact as she works with Dr. Mark Nichol on global and cross border efforts to increase capacity for infectious disease diagnosis in Africa.
Dr. Luvanda's goal through the Tsuha Global Fellowship is to evaluate the availability, accessibility, and barriers affecting infectious disease diagnostics across Africa. Accurate diagnosis is essential for effective infectious disease control, outbreak response, patient management, and public health interventions. However, no comprehensive assessment of laboratory diagnostic capacity has yet been conducted across the continent, despite existing WHO lists of essential diagnostics in countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, and Ethiopia. The findings from her work aim to inform policymakers in developing action plans to strengthen clinical decision-making, promote equitable health outcomes, and guide stakeholders toward targeted investments in diagnostic capacity.