Mark is a master’s student pursuing an MSc in Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, supported by the IDeAL Studentship Program at KEMRI-Wellcome Trust. His research focuses on investigating Plasmodium falciparum gametocyte carriage and drug resistance in pregnant women under intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP). Under the mentorship of Dr. Patience Kiyuka, he aims to enhance understanding of malaria transmission dynamics and the effectiveness of IPTp-SP in the face of emerging resistance, with implications for improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes.