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About Me

I am a PhD candidate at the University of Glasgow working at the intersection of infectious disease modelling, data science, and policy translation. My doctoral research focuses on predicting the health and economic impacts of rabies interventions using quantitative decision-analytic models, and on developing data-driven tools to support evidence-based policymaking. My work has contributed to national and international policy discussions on disease control strategies.

My expertise spans epidemiological and health-economic modelling, genomic data analysis, and reproducible software development, with strong proficiency in R, R Shiny, Python, and Linux-based workflows. I work with diverse data sources such as household surveys, health facility records, and pathogen genomic data to address complex global health challenges across low- and middle-income settings.

I have contributed to the design and optimisation of bioinformatics pipelines for viral genomics, investigated transmission dynamics using phylogenetic and statistical approaches, and developed open-source tools, including Bioconductor packages, to enable scalable and reproducible analysis. Beyond research, I am passionate about capacity building, regularly delivering training in infectious disease modelling, genomics, and data analysis.

Education

PhD in Integrative Infection Biology, University of Glasgow, UK

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, Kenya

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, Kenya

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, Kenya

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

Graduate Teaching Assistant (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 phylogenetic analysis for 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, The 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

Intern, KEMRI-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KEMRI-CDC)

Assisted in laboratory operations, including cell culture using Vero cells and molecular diagnostics using TaqMan Array Cards (PCR). Supported sample management processes through reception, accessioning, and long-term storage in controlled freezer conditions.

July 2016 – Nov 2016

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). This work was featured by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

World Health Organization (2024), Human rabies post-exposure prophylaxis workshop on supporting countries to build a case for investment: meeting report, Cape Town, South Africa, 23-26 September 2024. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/380233.

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

Clinic on Meaningful Modeling of Epidemiological Data

Hosted by SACEMA (South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis) & AIMS (African Institute for Mathematical Sciences) South Africa.

June 2025

Rabies Accessible Genomic Epidemiology Workshop

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

Feb 2024

Awards & Affiliations

Awards

Affiliations