DR RACHEAL WANJIKU KIMANI

Title/Designation: Lecturer
School/Department: Department of Nursing and Clinical Studies, School of Health Sciences
Email Address: kimani.racheal@mnu.ac.ke
Google scholar:https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=HsbvlCQAAAAJ
Research gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Racheal-Kimani?ev=hdr_xprf&_tp=eyJjb250ZXh0Ijp7ImZpcnN0UGFnZSI6ImhvbWUiLCJwYWdlIjoiaG9tZSIsInBvc2l0aW9uIjoiZ2xvYmFsSGVhZGVyIn19

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS/MEMBERSHIPS

• Member of KMLTTB

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION

List your teaching and research specialties;
• Medical Microbiology.
• Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.
• Human Pathology (General and Systemic).
• Disease Diagnosis and Laboratory Methods.
Immunology (Basic and Applied;
• Molecular Biology and Genetics.
• Epidemiology and Public Health.
• Biosafety, Quality Assurance, and Laboratory Management.
• Research Methods.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research interests include:
• My research interests include antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in clinically significant bacterial pathogens, with a focus on extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase-producing organisms. I am particularly interested in the molecular characterization of resistance genes, virulence factors, and mobile genetic elements such as plasmids that facilitate the spread of AMR. Additional interests include hospital-acquired infections, infection prevention and control strategies, and the development and evaluation of rapid and point-of-care diagnostic methods.

PUBLICATIONS

Refereed Journal Articles

• Kimani R, Musundi S, Waweru HK, Gitaka J, et al. Genomic characterization of Escherichia coli and Enterobacter hormaechei clinical isolates from a tertiary healthcare facility in Kenya. Preprint. 2026 Apr.
• Kuja JO, Waruhiu CR, Hayah I, Muigai AWT, et al. Contributions of African biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics to the One Health nexus. Preprint. 2025 Dec.
• Shiluli C, Kamath S, Kanoi B, Gitaka J, et al. Highly sensitive molecular assay based on identical multi-repeat sequence (IMRS) algorithm for the detection of Trichomonas vaginalis infection. PLoS One. 2025 Feb.
• Kimani R. A review of carbapenem resistance in the current world. 2024 May.
• Shiluli C, Kamath S, Kanoi B, Gitaka J, et al. Multi-repeat sequences identification using genome mining techniques for developing highly sensitive molecular diagnostic assay for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis. Open Res Afr. 2024 May.
• Shiluli C, Kamath S, Kanoi B, Gitaka J, et al. Highly sensitive molecular assay for the detection of Treponema pallidum infection. Preprint. 2024 May.
• Kimani R, Wakaba P, Kamita M, Gitaka J, et al. Detection of multidrug-resistant organisms of concern including Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Burkholderia cepacia at a referral hospital in Kenya. PLoS One. 2024 Apr.
• Shiluli C, Kamath S, Kanoi B, Gitaka J, et al. Improving gonorrhoea molecular diagnostics: genome mining-based identification of identical multi-repeat sequences (IMRS) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Heliyon. 2024 Mar.
• Kimani R, Musundi S, Wakaba P, Gitaka J, et al. Application of nanopore sequencing to identify antimicrobial resistance genes, mobile genetic elements and virulence factors in clinical isolates. Preprint. 2023 Oct.
• Shiluli C, Kamath S, Kanoi B, Gitaka J, et al. Identification of multi-repeat sequences using genome mining approaches for developing highly sensitive molecular diagnostic assay for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis. Preprint. 2023 Jul.
• Ngamsom B, Iles A, Kamita M, Pamme N, et al. A sample-to-answer COVID-19 diagnostic device based on immiscible filtration and CRISPR-Cas12a-assisted detection. Talanta Open. 2022 Dec.
• Kamita M, Maina M, Kimani R, Gitaka J, et al. Point prevalence survey to assess antibiotic prescribing pattern among hospitalized patients in a county referral hospital in Kenya. Front Antibiot. 2022 Oct.
• Kamita M, Mutungi JK, Mbugua S, Gitaka J, et al. A survey on knowledge, attitude, and practice about antibiotic prescribing and resistance among medical practitioners in Kenya. Open Res Afr. 2022 Feb.
• Ngamsom B, Iles A, Kamita M, Pamme N, et al. An integrated lab-on-a-chip device for RNA extraction, amplification and CRISPR-Cas12a-assisted detection for COVID-19 screening in resource-limited settings. Preprint. 2022 Jan.
• Mbugua S, Njoroge G, Kijogi C, Gitaka J, et al. Exploring perspectives on antimicrobial stewardship: a qualitative study of health managers in Kenya. Glob Health Res Policy. 2020 Nov.
• Ngamsom B, Apondi EW, Iles A, Pamme N, et al. Rapid detection of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) from artificial urine samples based on IFAST and ATP bioluminescence assay. Analyst. 2019 Oct.
• Kimani R, Muigai AWT, Sang W, Kariuki S, et al. Virulence factors in environmental and clinical Vibrio cholerae from endemic areas in Kenya. Afr J Lab Med. 2014 Apr.
• Kimani R, et al. A study on the geophylogeny of clinical and environmental Vibrio cholerae in Kenya. 2013 Sep.

Conference Proceedings

• Kimani, R., et al. (2018). Antimicrobial resistance and virulence factors in environmental and clinical Vibrio cholerae. Presented at Institute of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases Workshop and Symposium on Capacity Building for National Sustainable Development, Nairobi, Kenya.
• Kimani, R., et al. (2021). Development of HDA-Lateral Flow system for rapid detection of maternal bacterial infection. Presented at 5th Africa International Biotechnology and Biomedical Conference (AIBBC), Kenya.
• Kimani, R., et al. (2021). Point prevalence survey on antibiotic use in Kiambu Level 5 Hospital, Kenya. Presented at 5th Africa International Biotechnology and Biomedical Conference (AIBBC), Kenya.
• Kimani, R., et al. (2023). Multidrug resistant pathogens of concern and ESBL phenotype among patients and inanimate objects at Thika Level V Hospital. Presented at MKU Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics Workshop, Kenya.
• Kimani, R., et al. (2023). High rate of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococci from hospitalized patients and inanimate objects at Thika Level V Hospital. Presented at 6th Africa International Biotechnology and Biomedical Conference (AIBBC), Kenya.
• Kimani, R., et al. (2023). Multidrug resistant pathogens of concern and ESBL phenotype among patients and inanimate objects at Thika Level V Hospital. Presented at 10th Annual Infection Prevention Network–Kenya (IPNET-K) Conference, Kenya.
• Kimani, R., et al. (2024). Application of Nanopore sequencing to identify antimicrobial resistance genes, mobile genetic elements and virulence genes. Presented at African BioGenome Project (AfricaBP) Open Institute for Genomic and Bioinformatics East and Central Africa Workshop, Kenya.
• Kimani, R., et al. (2025). Application of Nanopore sequencing to identify antimicrobial resistance genes, mobile genetic elements and virulence genes. Presented at KASH Conference, Kenya.
• Kimani, R., et al. (2025). Young Investigators Section Oral Presentation. Presented at 7th Africa International Biotechnology and Biomedical Conference (AIBBC), Kenya.
• Kimani, R., et al. (2025). Poster presentation. Presented at World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW) Symposium, Kenya.
• Kimani, R., et al. (2026). From lab to field: A diagnostic tool for detecting Streptococcus agalactiae in urine from pregnant mothers. Presented at International Symposium for Streptococcus agalactiae Disease: From Evidence to Action – Accelerating GBS Prevention in a Changing World (Advancements in Diagnostics), Nairobi, Kenya.
• Converting to Vancouver style as well for journal submission use.

CONFERENCES WORKSHOPS & SEMIARS ATTENDED.

• INQABA Biotechnical Industries. (2017). Phylogenetics training. Theme: Health Research for Sustainable Development (Subtheme: Microbiology).
• Ethics Review Committee (ERC). (2018). Research ethics training workshop.

SELECTED PUBLICATION LINKS
(Optional — Hyperlinks to your key works)
• https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0298873

PERSONAL STATEMENT/ BIOGRAPHY(SHORT SUMMARY)

• I am a biomedical scientist and academic with a strong focus on microbiology, infectious diseases, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). My teaching spans medical microbiology, molecular techniques in infectious diseases, immunology, and disease diagnosis, where I am committed to equipping learners with both foundational knowledge and practical laboratory competencies relevant to modern healthcare.
  My research centers on the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance, particularly in clinically significant bacterial pathogens. I have a keen interest in extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase-producing organisms, with a focus on understanding their molecular characteristics, resistance mechanisms, and associated virulence factors. My work also explores the role of mobile genetic elements, such as plasmids and replicons, in the dissemination of resistance genes within hospital and community settings.
  I have actively contributed to scientific discourse through presentations at regional and international conferences, covering topics such as multidrug-resistant pathogens, antibiotic use, and diagnostic innovations. I am particularly interested in advancing rapid and point-of-care diagnostic approaches, as well as integrating genomic and bioinformatics tools—including nanopore sequencing—to strengthen AMR surveillance and inform infection prevention and control strategies.
• My long-term goal is to contribute to the global effort to combat antimicrobial resistance by bridging research, teaching, and clinical practice, while supporting evidence-based policies that improve patient outcomes and public health.