Oxford Tropical Networking Meeting
Meet, Engage, Learn and Collaborate.
September 15-18, 2025
Mombasa, Kenya
Introduction
KEMRI-Wellcome is pleased to welcome you to the 2025 Oxford Tropical Network (OTN) meeting, to be held from September 15th to 18th, 2025, at Sarova Whitesands, Mombasa, Kenya. This invitation-only event brings together colleagues from Oxford’s Overseas Programmes and related departments to share insights, showcase research, and strengthen collaborations in Tropical Medicine and Global Health.
The conference offers a unique platform for networking, learning, and building lasting partnerships that promote science and improve health outcomes worldwide.
OTN 2025 Goals
- Foster Strategic Partnerships by strengthening collaborations across Oxford’s Overseas Programmes and associated departments, creating new opportunities for interdisciplinary research and global health partnerships.
- Build and Share Knowledge for Impact by facilitating the exchange of research findings, lessons learned, and best practices across diverse tropical medicine and global health contexts to advance science and improve health outcomes worldwide.
Late registration
- The deadline for late registration has been extended to Friday, 15th August, 2025.
If you have any specific questions or need assistance contact us at OTN2025Mombasa@Kemri-wellcome.org
Programme
OTN2025 Welcome remarks Prof. Isabella Oyier, Chair Scientific Committee
Pre meetings
Kevin Marsh
Kevin Marsh is a malariologist and global health researcher who has spent over 30 years living and working in Africa. His major research interests focus on immunity to and pathogenesis of malaria. In 1989 established with colleagues a series of research projects at Kilifi with a long term aim of developing the capacity for high quality multidisciplinary research. The KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme has subsequently developed into an international programme with around 800 staff working across a number of countries in east Africa of which he was director until August 2014.
From 2014, he led the development of the concept for a major new platform, the Alliance for the Acceleration of Science in Africa (AESA) which in 2022 transitioned to a free standing Pan African Organisation, The Science for Africa Foundation (SFA), of which he is a founding director. He was chair of the WHO Malaria Policy Advisory Committee from 2012-2019 and is a member of many international advisory committees relating to malaria and to global health research. In 2016 he led the establishment of the Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx) a cross disciplinary platform to build equitable links with African researchers, of which he is now co director.
Melissa Kapulu
Melissa Kapulu is an Associate Professor and Principal Research Investigator at the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme. Her main research interests focus on the use of controlled human infection models, vaccine development and deployment, and infectious diseases. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and Genetics at the University of Zambia, Master of Science in Immunology of Infectious Diseases at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and earned a DPhil at the University of Oxford on preclinical development of malaria transmission-blocking vaccines. She joined the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme in Kilifi as a postdoctoral researcher, where she subsequently led the creation of the largest single-site Plasmodium falciparum controlled human malaria infection study involving 161 volunteers. Since 2020, she has led internationally funded research that expands this platform to include enteric pathogens, using the Shigella sonnei model. Her work aims to understand naturally acquired immunity to inform vaccine design in endemic areas. She serves on various scientific boards and committees and was recently awarded the Calestous Juma Science Leadership Fellowship in recognition of her contributions to science and leadership in Africa.
Dr Thomas Kariuki
Thomas Kariuki is Founding Director and Chief Executive Officer for the Science for Africa Foundation, established in 2021 to support, strengthen and promote science and innovation in Africa. A long-time advocate involved in the global effort to develop vaccines, drugs and diagnostics for poverty related diseases, Kariuki is a prolific science leader whose experience in science diplomacy has enabled the mobilisation of support and hundreds of millions in USD funding from global funders and African governments for science and innovation in Africa. Through his leadership, Kariuki is driving the SFA Foundation to establish global strategic partnerships and build a sustainable pan-African science funding organisation that contributes to the growth of science and innovation in Africa.
He is a recipient of various national and international awards including the Presidential honour of the Order of Grand Warrior of Kenya (OGW) for scientific leadership and public service, is a fellow of the African Academy of Sciences (FAAS) and an Honorary Professor of Research of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, LSTM. He has served on many global boards and committees of Africa-wide professional networks including the Federation of African Immunological Societies (FAIS), CEPI, the World Health Organization and others.
Isabella Lynette Oyier – Chair scientific team
Lioyier@kemri-wellcome.org
Christina Obiero
CObiero@kemri-wellcome.org
Primus Chi
PChi@kemri-wellcome.org
Marta Maia
MMaia@kemri-wellcome.org
Rodney Ogwang
ROgwang@kemri-wellcome.org
Joyce Nyiro
JNyiro@kemri-wellcome.org
Samson Kinyanjui
skmuchina@kemri-wellcome.org
Evelyn Kabia
EKabia@kemri-wellcome.org
Symon Kariuki
SKariuki@kemri-wellcome.org
Eunice Kagucia
EKagucia@kemri-wellcome.org
Admins
Aisha Abdillahi
AAbdillahi@kemri-wellcome.org
Elizabeth Mwatata
EMwatata@kemri-wellcome.org
Susan Wangui
swangui@kemri-wellcome.org
Pre-meeting symposiums
- Vaccine Workforce Development- Marianne Munene
- Conducting gender inclusive research- Practical skills for impact
- Synergies between joint MIP Project Proposals
- Integrating Modelling into Health Policy Development in LMIC Settings
- Star Homes Syposium OTN_Lorenz Von Seidlein
- Uncovering the hidden burden of acute febrile illness and their infectious causes in rural South and Southeast Asia
- Cross-AAP Acceleration of Genomics for Escalating Infectious Diseases (CAGED) Study
- CAGED OTN Symposium synopsis
There are two packages available. See payment details.
The residential package (£700) includes:
- The OTN 2025 meeting registration fee
- Accommodation for 3 nights at the Sarova Whitesands Mombasa, Kenya (Tuesday 16th September 2025 arrival and departure Thursday 18th September 2025)
- Welcome evening drinks and canapés on 15th September
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner on 16, 17 and 18th September 2025 at the hotel
- All social events and workshops during OTN 2025
The non-residential package (£350) includes:
- All of the above EXCEPT accommodation and breakfast.
If you require additional nights of accommodation at the Sarova Whitesands Mombasa before or after OTN 2025, kindly send your request to OTN2025Mombasa@Kemri-wellcome.org.
Check-in is from 2.00pm 15/09/25 and check-out is by 12:00 noon 18/09/25, with luggage storage available via the Hotel in Question.
Visa Requirements for Entry
There are 4 types of visa requirements; Visa Required, Visa nor Required, E-visa, Visa on Arrival
Business Visa: (If Applicable)
Kindly apply for a Single Entry Business Visa, the following required documents will be provided after registration confirmation:
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Invitation Letter from the inviting institution
- ID or Passport of the person who signed the invitation letter
To apply for an eTA, visit www.etakenya.go.ke. This is mandatory for visitor entry into Kenya.
Applying for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA):
Important:
- Processing time: Approximately two working days.
- Recommendation: Submit your application at least two weeks before travel to avoid delays and ensure timely approval.