Dr Bernard Kanoi is a biomedical scientist and the Eastern Africa Regional Representative for the Federation of Immunological Societies (FAIS). After being involved in malaria vaccine trials and several immunology-epidemiology studies in Northern Uganda, he completed his postdoctoral training in parasite immunology at Ehime University’s Graduate School of Science and Engineering in Japan.
Bernard leads cutting-edge research on malaria, tuberculosis, and COVID-19 at Mount Kenya University. His work spans high-throughput immuno-profiling, vaccine antigen discovery, and maternal immunity. His current research projects include understanding how immunity against malaria is acquired and functions in children and during pregnancy for universal vaccine antigen discovery.
Dr Kanoi has collaborated with institutions such as the NIH, Pasteur Institute, and Karolinska University. He is dedicated to advancing immunology across Africa and serves as a vital member of the Executive Committee of FAIS.
What inspired your focus on malaria immunology, and how has your research evolved over time?
I was introduced to malaria research during one of my university holidays. Around the same time, a neighbour had returned from Mombasa – a malarious region – with what people referred to as the “Mombasa malaria” and was not doing very well. I came to understand how severely malaria affects children and malaria-naïve individuals, often with devastating consequences. That experience sparked my curiosity to understand how the immune system responds to malaria and how that knowledge can be used to save lives.
I started out studying antibody responses to malaria antigens in Uganda, but over time, my research has expanded. Now I’m looking at the bigger picture of immunity, including trained immunity – how innate cells are “reprogrammed” during pregnancy – and how that shapes protection for both mother and baby. We combine field studies, immunology, and data-driven approaches to develop interventions that could work for African communities. Since many of the tools we use can also be applied to other infectious diseases, we have extended our questions to include pathogens such as COVID-19, tuberculosis, and mpox.
How did your academic journey in Japan shape your scientific perspective and career path?
My years in Japan were eye-opening. I trained and then worked at Ehime University, where I was introduced to the wheat germ cell-free protein synthesis system (WGCFS). This tool allowed us to express thousands of malaria antigens and really boosted our ability to screen for potential vaccine targets.
But beyond the science, I was struck by the discipline, precision, and collaborative spirit of Japanese research culture. It taught me to value meticulous work and teamwork. When I returned to Kenya, I brought the WGCFS technology with me – we now use it at Mount Kenya University to power local vaccine research and multiplex serosurveillance. That transfer of technology is one of my proudest achievements.
How do you integrate bioinformatics and proteomics into your immunological studies?
These tools are game-changers. We use proteomics and immunoinformatics to sift through thousands of parasite proteins to find the ones that are most likely to trigger protective immune responses.
On top of that, we are now using machine learning to connect antibody profiles or plasma protein signatures with clinical outcomes – like protection from placental malaria or better birth weights in babies. I believe these data-driven approaches will help us move faster from discovery to practical solutions.
How does high-throughput screening and reverse vaccinology shape your approach to vaccine development?
High-throughput screening – especially with the WGCFS platform – lets us express and test thousands of malaria antigens to see which ones naturally trigger immunity in exposed populations.
By combining that with reverse vaccinology, we can focus on functionally important, conserved antigens of some regions. I think it’s a smarter, faster way to prioritise vaccine candidates and avoid wasting years on antigens that won’t work.
What role does FAIS play in fostering regional immunology networks, and how do you contribute as the Eastern Africa Representative?
The Federation of African Immunological Societies (FAIS) is crucial for building a vibrant immunology community across Africa. As the Eastern Africa Representative, my role is to connect scientists, support training workshops and short courses, and help link institutions, and hopefully, we can also start connecting scientists with funding opportunities.
Africa has a lot of talent, but we need to build strong networks and support systems. Attending the IUIS International Congress of Immunology in Vienna last August and seeing how eager African scientists are to contribute to immunology in Africa was very encouraging. FAIS is helping to create that space, and I’m excited to be part of it.
What advice would you give to young African scientists pursuing immunology research?
First, stay curious and don’t give up easily – research is full of challenges, but persistence pays off.
Second, find good mentors and then collaborators. No one succeeds alone in science.
And finally, make sure your work connects to real problems in your community. Research that will solve local African challenges may also have global significance.
What are the biggest challenges in translating immunological discoveries into public health solutions in Africa?
I think the challenges are many. One big hurdle is the old “valley of death” – we often make great discoveries in the lab, but they don’t make it to the field because of limited funding, regulatory barriers, or lack of local manufacturing.
Another challenge is that we still need more long-term cohort data to design interventions that really fit our populations. And of course, community engagement – if people don’t trust or use a new intervention, even the best science won’t have an impact.
What emerging questions in infectious disease immunology are you most excited to tackle next?
I’m fascinated by trained immunity in pregnancy-associated malaria – especially how repeated malaria infections in multigravida women “train” their innate immune cells, which then influence both maternal and infant health.
I’m also excited about maternal immunisation strategies – how boosting maternal immunity can give babies a head start against malaria and other infections.
Finally, I see a lot of potential in multiplex serosurveillance- tracking immunity to multiple pathogens at once. It could transform how we monitor disease, respond to outbreaks, and assess vaccine impact in Africa.
Interview by Bonamy (Bon) Holtak
