John Kimotho is a Ph.D. student under the Initiative to Develop African Research Leaders (IDeAL), registered with the Open University, UK, and is supported by the SANTHE-BMGF Programme. He holds a master’s degree in Immunology from Pwani University and a BSc. Degree in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of Nairobi. In 2023, John was awarded an Early Career Investigator’s grant from the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), which further supports his Ph.D. research.

His research focuses on understanding the impact of chronic infections, particularly malaria, on immune system function and vaccine responses. Specifically, John is investigating how prolonged pathogen exposure affects immune profiles, with a focus on the B cell compartment—an essential element in the development of an effective HIV germline-targeting vaccine. Utilizing advanced techniques such as bulk PBMC RNA sequencing, extracellular vesicle transcriptomics, and cytokine profiling, he is identifying immunological signatures associated with chronic pathogen exposure. His work explores how these signatures influence the efficacy of vaccines like those for HIV, especially in populations subjected to constant immunological pressure.

John’s contributions aim to advance global HIV vaccine development efforts by informing the design of tailored immunogens for populations most likely to benefit from vaccination. His work is particularly relevant in regions where high pathogen exposure may affect vaccine responses. Throughout his Ph.D. journey, John has received strong mentorship and support from his supervisors and research teams at the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust. He has also gained additional training in laboratory techniques and bioinformatics, further strengthening his capacity to contribute to vaccine research.