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About Me

I am a PhD candidate at the University of Glasgow, specialising in infectious disease modelling and policy translation. My PhD research focuses on predicting the health and economic impacts of rabies interventions using mathematical models, and creating data-driven tools for policymaking. My expertise spans epidemiological modelling, genomic data analysis, and programming using R and RShiny, Python, and bash scripting.

My work draws on a broad range of datasets, including household surveys, health facility records, and genomic data, to address pressing global health challenges. I have also contributed to optimising bioinformatics pipelines for virus genomic studies and investigating transmission dynamics through phylogenetics.

Beyond research, I am passionate about capacity building and have led training sessions on dynamic modelling and genomic techniques and computational biology for public health. I am widely published, with a strong focus on practical applications of computational tools in infectious disease epidemiology.

Education

PhD in Integrative Infection Biology, University of Glasgow

Thesis: A framework for predicting the impacts of rabies control and prevention strategies.

Oct 2022 – Sep 2026

MSc in Bioinformatics, Pwani University/ KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme

Thesis: Elucidating human rhinovirus transmission dynamics across different social scales using sequence data.

Sep 2018 – Dec 2020

PgD in Health Research Methods, Pwani University/ KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme

Thesis: Molecular epidemiology of human rhinovirus and endemic coronaviruses within a school setting.

Sep 2017 – Aug 2018

BSc in Medical Laboratory Science and Technology, University of Nairobi

Thesis: Prevalence of pre-cancerous lesions among adult women presenting for Pap smear tests at the Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi.

Sep 2012 – Dec 2016

Experience

Research Assistant (part-time), University of Glasgow

I work with Dr Kirstyn Brunker to streamline genomic data entry, cleaning and management using tools like REDCap. I also helped in developing training materials and conducting training sessions in genomic techniques and data analysis.

July 2023 – Present

Tutor (part-time), University of Glasgow

I work within the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences as a Tutor/ Graduate Teaching Assistant. This involves supporting Undergraduate and MSc students in Biology and Statistics courses by facilitating tutorials, practical classes, and assessments. I also contribute to marking and feedback processes.

Sept 2023 – Present

Postgraduate Researcher, University of Glasgow

Developing a decision framework to assess the impacts of rabies control strategies through scenario-based modelling. Engaged with policymakers to align modelling outputs with practical interventions under the guidance of Prof Katie Hampson, Prof Dan Haydon, and Dr Elaine Ferguson.

Oct 2022 – Present

Computational Biologist, MRC-University of Glasgow, Centre for Virus Research

Worked with Prof David Robertson and Dr Ke Yuan to analyse drivers of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Integrated genetic, behavioural, and public health datasets to develop statistical models explaining infection wave dynamics.

Mar 2021 – Sep 2022

MSc Fellow, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme

Investigated rhinovirus transmission across social scales (school, households, the Kilifi HDSS and hospital inpatients) using genomic and bioinformatic approaches. Conducted metagenomic and amplicon-based sequencing and employed tools such as MEGA and BEAST for phylogenetic analysis and temporal reconstruction of transmission patterns. Mentored by Prof James Nokes and Dr Charles Agoti.

Sep 2018 – Dec 2020

Postgraduate Diploma Fellow, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme

Applied molecular and phylogenetic techniques to study the epidemiology of rhinoviruses within school environments. This involved sample processing, RNA extraction, and sequencing using both Sanger and Illumina platforms.

Sep 2017 – Aug 2018

Laboratory Scientist, Nairobi Hospital

Provided clinical laboratory support across pre-analytical and administrative workflows. Responsibilities included phlebotomy and sample collection, lab front-office coordination, customer service and ensuring timely and accurate distribution of specimens to relevant laboratory departments.

Nov 2016 – Aug 2017

Publications

Please find the complete and most up-to-date list of my publications on Google Scholar.

Luka MM , Ferguson EA, Rees E et al., Optimising human rabies vaccine supply chains: A modelling study, Vaccine (2025)

Luka MM , Nanjala R, Rashed WM et al., rhinotypeR: An R package for Rhinovirus Genotyping, bioRxiv (2025)

Luka MM , Lamb K, Saathoff M et al., Mutational signature dynamics indicate SARS-CoV-2’s evolutionary capacity is driven by host antiviral molecules, PLoS Computational Biology (2024)

Luka MM , Otieno JR, Kamau E et al., Rhinovirus dynamics across different social structures, npj Viruses (2023)

Luka MM , Kamau E, de Laurent ZR et al., Whole genome sequencing of two human rhinovirus A types (A101 and A15) detected in Kenya, 2016-2018, Wellcome Open Research (2021)

Capacity Building

Rabies Accessible Genomic Epidemiology Workshop

Facilitated training on molecular techniques, hosted by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

Feb 2024

Awards