Adhiambo Margaret Okomo

Dr. Margaret Okomo-Adhiambo holds a doctorate in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and Master of Science (MSc) in Animal Genetics, both from the University of Nairobi, as well as a doctorate (PhD) in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Nevada-Reno, and a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Applied Epidemiology from Emory University. She is currently a Health Scientist and Bioinformatics Team Leader at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where her research is focused on developing and implementing bioinformatics solutions for microbial pathogen detection, outbreak investigations, and infectious disease surveillance. Her previous research at the CDC was focused on characterizing influenza antiviral drug resistance among epidemiologically relevant viruses.  Prior to joining the CDC, Dr. Okomo-Adhiambo was a researcher at the University of Nevada, Reno, where her doctoral and postdoctoral studies focused on applying molecular genetics methodologies to examine infectious disease pathogenesis. Before embarking on her doctoral studies, Dr. Okomo-Adhiambo was an animal genetics researcher at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), performing research on genetic characterization of indigenous African cattle, to aid their conservation and utilization. She was also a Lecturer at the University of Nairobi, Department of Animal Sciences, teaching animal genetics courses, and researching the genetics of disease resistance among indigenous African livestock.  Dr. Okomo-Adhiambo has over 20 years’ experience conceiving, implementing and directing scientific studies aimed at detection, control and prevention of infectious diseases. She has extensive experience and knowledge of methodologies for managing and analyzing scientific data from complex studies related to a broad range of public health topics. Dr. Okomo-Adhiambo has published over 50 scientific articles, including book chapters and technical reports, and has presented over 40 conference abstracts.  She actively mentors and advises young men and women aspiring to become future biomedical scientists, and currently serves as mentor and board member of MTAWA, an organization that promotes participation of African women in science and technology.