Research Interest
Introduction
I am microbial ecologist with wide interest in microbial ecology, molecular microbiology, microbial metabolomics, microbial phylogeny, mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance, infectious disease transmission and pathogenicity, infectious disease control, Mycobacteriology, malaria, leishmaniasis, gut microbiology, role of microbial chemical ecology in disease vectors.
Current Research focus:
Functional ecology of microbiota in human skin and larval habitats of disease vectors Mosquitoes are attracted to, and preferentially feed on and transmit malaria in certain individuals and specific parts of the human body over others. This behaviour is also observed in breeding where they preferential chose some sites to oviposit over others. Previous reports show that this behaviour is influenced by chemical cues, some of which are of microbial origin.
I am interested in elucidating the functional ecology of human foot microbiota- by studying their role in mediating selection behaviour of preferred feeding site by malaria vector. I am also interested understanding the functional ecology of larval habitat microbiota with the aim to understand their role in influencing choice of preferred and avoidance of non-preferred oviposition sites by malaria vector and other disease vectors. We aim to understand ways to control disease transmission by disruption of host-vector interactions and through larval habitat management.
Contact information
joluoch@maseno.ac.ke or james.kombok@gmail.com
Full CV- Dr. James Nonoh