KENYA—Dr. Andrew Nyerere, a distinguished 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) effective February 24, 2024.
Dr. Nyerere’s new post inside the TWG will put him in charge of a variety of tasks, including engaging experts in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and immunization.
This will help generate country-level estimates on the impact of vaccinations on lowering infectious disease burden and AMR, as well as providing national-level reports highlighting the usefulness of vaccines in mitigating AMR.
His vision closely aligns with that of GARP, which seeks to establish sustainable local capacity to address antibiotic use and resistance in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Dr. Nyerere, a microbiologist with a profound interest in the epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance and infectious disease transmission dynamics, brings a wealth of expertise to the TWG.
His dedication to combating antibiotic resistance is evident through his extensive research efforts, particularly in vaccine development.
Drawing from his previous experiences, including serving on 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 aims to advocate for increased collaboration between GARP and universities to foster relevant research initiatives.
Furthermore, he intends to bolster GARP’s role in professional curricula development to augment its impact in combating antibiotic resistance on a global scale.
Accepting this new appointment, Dr. Nyerere highlighted his realization, through research, of the dry pipeline in producing new antibiotics, emphasizing the imperative to prioritize prevention in countering antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
He went on to note that he has spearheaded the development of Masters and PhD degree programs in infectious diseases and vaccinology.
These initiatives have garnered significant interest, attracting students from Kenya and across Africa, including countries like Rwanda, Burundi, and Eritrea.
The TWG is organized by the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and the One Health Trust (OHT), with the aim of assessing the impact of vaccines in combatting antibiotic resistance.
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