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Kenya Institute of Primate ResearchKIPRE
Photo Ozwara Hastings Ozwara 2
Affiliation

Hastings Ozwara

Chief Research Scientist

ozwara@kipre.go.ke

Qualifications

  • PhD in Molecular Parasitology

Projects

  • Development of Plasmodium Knowlesi transfection system in the baboon (NWO)

  • Developing Baboon model for Plasmodium knowlesi (NWO)

  • Scientific validation of natural products against malaria (National Treasury)

  • Development of IPMAL as antimalarial from natural products (National Treasury)

  • Malaria in Pregnancy (MIM)

  • Effective project planning and evaluation in research (WHO)

  • Barcoding of endangered wildlife (GOOGLE)

  • Tungiasis in Murang'a (NACOSTI)

  • Snakebite Disease research (NHIR)

  • Neglected tropical diseases in Kilifi District (AMREF)

  • Development and operationalization of COVID-19 Centre at Institute of Primate Research (National Treasury)

  • Upgrading of baboon breeding cages (SASDEF)

  • Natural Products Industry Vision 2030 project (National Treasury)

  • Infrastructure upgrade at Institute of Primate Research (National Treasury)

  • Malaria in pregnancy (NACOSTI)

  • Radioactive Waste Processing facility (MoH)

  • PREDICT (USAID)

  • Neglected Tropical Diseases and Coastal communities (Japan)

  • Zika virus in monkey frozen materials (CDC-KEMRI)

  • Wildlife support (USAID)

  • Development and validation of IEC materials for Vaccine rollout and Non Communicable Diseases (MoH)

  • Development of national strategy for physical activity in preventive healthcare (MoH)

  • Development and rollout of training curriculum for Institutional Scientific and Research Ethics committee members (NACOSTI)

  • Training of Institutional Scientific and Research Ethics committee members (KNATCOM)

  • Registration of Institutional Scientific and Research Ethics Committees (NACOSTI)

  • Registration of Research Institutes operating in Kenya (NACOSTI)

Publications

  1. 1.Simeon Mogaka, Faith Onditi, Kenneth Ogila, Clesson Higashi , Hastings Ozwara, 2026. Antimalarial drug discovery and development: Assay system challenges and the translational relevance of Plasmodium knowlesi–baboon model. JOURNAL OF ADVANCED BIOTECHNOLOGY AND EXPERIMENTAL THERAPEUTICS. Jan; 9(1): 52-66 eISSN: 2616-4760, https://doi.org/10.5455/jabet.2026.05.View →
  2. 2.Simeon Mogaka, Isaac Mulei, Peninah Njoki, Kenneth Ogila, Rebecca Waihenya, Faith Onditi, Hastings Ozwara, 2023. Antimalarial Efficacy and Safety of Senna occidentalis (L.) Link Root Extract in Plasmodium berghei – Infected BALB/c Mice. BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL. Aug 7;2023:8296195. doi: 10.1155/2023/8296195. eCollection 2023. PMID:37583959View →
  3. 3.Makio A, Widdowson MA, Peris Ambala, Hastings Ozwara, Peninah Munyua, Hunsperger E, 2023. Flavivirus Antibodies Reactive to Zika Virus Detected in Multiple Species of Nonhuman Primates in Kenya, 2008-2017. VECTOR BORNE ZOONOTIC DISEASES. Jul;23(7):393-396. doi: 10.1089/vbz.2022.0080. Epub 2023 May 19. PMID: 37205849View →
  4. 4.Simeon Mogaka, Halkano Molu, Esther Kagasi, Kenneth Ogila, Rebeccah Waihenya, Faith Onditi and Hastings Ozwara, 2023. Senna occidentalis (L.) Link root extract inhibits Plasmodium growth in vitro and in mice. BMC COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE AND THERAPIES (2023) 23:71. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-023-03854-8View →
  5. 5.Magara Jeremiah, Lucy Kamau, Grace Nyambati, Hastings Ozwara, 2023. Rubia cordifolia L. Crude Aerial Part Extracts Show a High Potential as Antimalarials against Chloroquine Resistant Plasmodium falciparum Strains in vitro. PHARMACOGNOSY RESEARCH, 15(2):288-296
  6. 6.Joyce Nyirongo, Faith Onditi, Jemimah Simbauni, Lucy Kamau, Victor Mwangi, Esther Kagasi, Hastings Ozwara, 2022. Astemizole-Methylene Blue combination therapy reduces monotherapy adverse effects in Balb/c mice. JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 34 (53A):42-52
  7. 7.Ruth K. Nyakundi, Jann Hau, Paul Ogongo, Onkoba Nyamongo, Maamum Jeneby, Mercy Akinyi, Isaac Mulei, Fred Nyundo, Idle Farah, Indu Malhotra, Hastings Ozwara, Christopher L. King, Thomas Kariuki, 2022. Acquired Clinical Immunity to Malaria in Nonhuman Primates Coinfected with Schistosoma and Plasmodium Parasites. INFECTION AND IMMUNITY 90, No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1128/iai.00464-21View →
  8. 8.Margaret Mendi Njoroge , Victor Irungu Mwangi , Tonny Jimmy Owalla , Hastings Ozwara , Thomas G. Egwang, 2020. Mice Pups Breastfed by Foster Mothers Whose Breast Milk Contains Plasmodium falciparum Recombinant SE36 Antigen Develop Specific Antibodies. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE 104 (3): 993–995, https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.20-0206View →
  9. 9.Onkoba Nyamongo, Ruth Mumo, Josiah Ogise, Ozwara Hastings, Egwang Thomas, 2020. Cross-species inhibitory antibody responses in mice vaccinated with plasmid DNA encoding polypeptides of Plasmodium falciparum SERA-5. MICROBIAL EPITOPES AND CHEMOKINE. SSRN: http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3969655View →
  10. 10.Harrison RA, Oluoch GO, Ainsworth S, Alsolaiss J, Bolton F, Arias AS, Gutiérrez JM, Rowley P, Kalya S, Ozwara H, Casewell NR, 2020. Correction: Preclinical antivenom-efficacy testing reveals potentially disturbing deficiencies of snakebite treatment capability in East Africa. PLoS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES; 31(14)8:e0008698. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008698. eCollection 2020 Aug.View →
  11. 11.Patrick Simiyu Were, Helen Lydia Kutima, Hastings Ozwara Suba and Waudo Walyambillah, 2020. Warburgia ugandensis: A potent in vivo phytomedicine against Plasmodium knowlesi. JOURNAL OF PHARMACOGNOSY AND PHYTOCHEMISTRY; 9(5): 01-05
  12. 12.Grace K Nyambati , Rosebella O Maranga , Hastings Ozwara and Paul K Mbugua, 2020. Use of Putative Antimalarial Herbal Medicines among Communities in Trans-Mara, Kuria and Suba Districts of Kenya. SEJ PHARMACOGNOSY; 1(1): 1-14.
  13. 13.Joyce Nyirongo, Lucy Kamau , Jemimah Simbauni , Victor Mwangi, Esther Kagasi, Faith Onditi and Hastings Ozwara, 2020. Drug Recovery: Effect of Astemizole - Methylene Blue Combination Therapy against Plasmodium Strains in vitro; SOUTH ASIAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY; 4(3): 9-17
  14. 14.Harrison RA, Oluoch GO, Ainsworth S, Alsolaiss J, Bolton F, Arias AS, Gutiérrez JM, Rowley P, Kalya S, Ozwara H, Casewell NR, 2017. Preclinical antivenom-efficacy testing reveals potentially disturbing deficiencies of snakebite treatment capability in East Africa. PLoS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES; 14(8). doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005969.View →
  15. 15.Peninah Njoki Muchirah, Rebecca Waihenya, Shadrack Muya, Leila Abubakar, Hastings Ozwara, Anselimo Makokha, 2018. Characterization and anti-oxidant activity of Cucurbita maxima Duchesne pulp and seed extracts. THE JOURNAL OF PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY; 7(2): 134-14
  16. 16.Musyoki PM, Kang’ethe SK and Ozwara HS. 2018. Characterization of enteric isolates in blood and stool specimens among outpatients presenting with fever symptoms in Crescent medical aid facility, Nairobi, County, Kenya. CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY 2018, 7:6 DOI: 10.4172/2327-5073.1000322View →
  17. 17.Ebenezer Taylor, Faith Onditi, Naomi Maina and Hastings Ozwara, 2017. Immunization of mice with soluble lysate of interferon gamma expressing Plasmodium berghei ANKA induces high IFN-γ production. TROPICAL DISEASES, TRAVEL MEDICINE AND VACCINES 3:11 DOI 10.1186/s40794-017-0053-1View →
  18. 18.Onkoba N, Mumo RM, Ochanda H, Omwandho C, Ozwara HS, Egwang TG, 2017. Safety, immunogenicity, and cross-species protection of a plasmid DNA encoding Plasmodium falciparum SERA5 polypeptide, microbial epitopes and chemokine genes in mice and olive baboons. JOURNAL BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH. Apr 6. doi:10.7555/JBR.31.20160025.View →
  19. 19.Mwangi VI, Mumo RM, Kiboi DM, Omar SA, Ng'ang'a ZW, Ozwara HS, 2016. Methylene blue inhibits lumefantrine-resistant Plasmodium berghei. JOURNAL OF INFECTION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. Jun 30;10(6):635-42. doi: 10.3855/jidc.7556.View →
  20. 20.Ebenezer Taylor, Faith Onditi, Naomi Maina and Hastings Ozwara, 2017. Immunization of mice with soluble lysate of interferon gamma expressing Plasmodium berghei ANKA induces high IFN-γ production. TROPICAL DISEASES, TRAVEL MEDICINE AND VACCINES 3:11 DOI 10.1186/s40794-017-005View →
  21. 21.Onkoba N, Mumo RM, Ochanda H, Omwandho C, Ozwara HS, Egwang TG, 2017. Safety, immunogenicity, and cross-species protection of a plasmid DNA encoding Plasmodium falciparum SERA5 polypeptide, microbial epitopes and chemokine genes in mice and olive baboons. JOURNAL BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH. Apr 6. doi:10.7555/JBR.31.20160025.View →
  22. 22.Mwangi VI, Mumo RM, Kiboi DM, Omar SA, Ng'ang'a ZW, Ozwara HS, 2016. Methylene blue inhibits lumefantrine-resistant Plasmodium berghei. JOURNAL OF INFECTION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. Jun 30;10(6):635-42. doi: 10.3855/jidc.7556.View →
  23. 23.Nyakundi RK, Nyamongo O, Maamun J, Akinyi M, Mulei I, Farah IO, Blankenship D, Grimberg B, Hau J, Malhotra I, Ozwara H, King CL, Kariuki TM, 2016. Protective Effect of Chronic Schistosomiasis in Baboons Coinfected with Schistosoma mansoni and Plasmodium knowlesi. INFECTION AND IMMUNITY. 84(5):1320-30. doi: 10.1128/IAI.00490-15.View →
  24. 24.Onditi FI, Nyamongo OW, Omwandho CO, Maina NW, Maloba F, Farah IO, King CL, Moore JM, Ozwara HS, 2015. Parasite accumulation in placenta of non- immune baboons during Plasmodium knowlesi infection. MALARIA JOURNAL. 2015 Mar 18;14:118. doi: 10.1186/s12936-015-0631-5.View →
  25. 25.Mwangi JN, Ozwara HS, Motiso JM, Gicheru MM, 2015. Characterization of Tunga penetrans antigens in selected epidemic areas in Murang'a County in Kenya. PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES. 2015 Mar 20;9(3):e0003517. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003517. -eCollection 2015 Mar. Erratum in: PLoS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES. 2015 Apr;9(4):e0003717.View →
  26. 26.Kumar R, Nyakundi R, Kariuki T, Ozwara H, Nyamongo O, Mlambo G, Ellefsen B, Hannaman D, Kumar N, 2013. Functional evaluation of malaria Pfs25 DNA vaccine by in vivo electroporation in olive baboons. VACCINE, Jun 28;31(31):3140-7. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2013.05.006. Epub 2013 May 16.View →
  27. 27.Jamleck N. Mwangi, Hastings S. Ozwara and Michael M. Gicheru, 2015. Epidemiology of tunga penetrans infestation in selected areas in Kiharu constituency, Murang’a County, Kenya. TROPICAL DISEASES, TRAVEL MEDICINE AND VACCINES (2015) 1:13 DOI 10.1186/S40794-015-0015-4View →
  28. 28.Patrick S. Were, Walyambila Waudo, Hastings S. Ozwara, Lydia Kutima, 2015. Phytochemical Analysis of Warburgia ugandensis Sprague using Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FT-IR) Spectroscopy. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACOGNOSY AND PHYTOCHEMICAL RESEARCH; 7(2)
  29. 29.Patrick Simiyu Were, Helen Lydia Kutima, Waudo Walyambillah, Hastings Ozwara, 2015. Secondary Metabolites and Antiplasmodial Activities of Parts of Warburgia ugandensis Sprague in Plasmodium berghei Infected Mice. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACOGNOSY AND PHYTOCHEMISTRY, ISSN:2051-7858, VOL.30, ISSUE.1 1289
  30. 30.Mwangi JN, Ozwara HS, Mutiso JM, Gicheru MM.Correction: Characterization of Tunga penetrans antigens in selected epidemic areas in Murang'a County in Kenya. Mwangi JN, Ozwara HS, Mutiso JM, Gicheru MM.PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2015 Apr 10;9(4) :e0003717. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003717. eCollection 2015 AprView →
  31. 31.Simeon Mogaka, Caroline Muriithi, Faith Onditi, Ruth Mumo, Naomi Maina, Rebecca Waihenya and Hastings Ozwara, 2015. Plasmodium berghei is immunomodulated by transgenic mouse interferon gamma leading to enhanced malaria protection in mice. IOSR JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (IOSR-JPBS) E-ISSN: 2278-3008, P-ISSN:2319-7676. VOLUME 10 (2) VER. 1 (MAR -APR. 2015), PP 111-119
  32. 32.Jamleck N. Mwangi, Hastings S. Ozwara, Joshua Mutiso, Michael M. Gicheru, 2015. Characterization of Tunga penetrans Antigens in Selected Epidemic Areas in Murang’a County in Kenya. PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES 9(3):E0003517. DOI:10.1371/JOURNAL.PNTD.0003517View →
  33. 33.Joab O. Nyamagiri, Faith I. Onditi, Lucy Ochola, Rebecca Waihenya, Hastings S. Ozwara, 2014. Plasmodium knowlesi Ligand-receptor Process in Baboon (Papio anubis) Placenta. JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY, AGRICULTURE AND HEALTHCARE. 4, NO.14
  34. 34.Rajesh Kumara, Ruth Nyakundi, Thomas Kariuki, Hastings Ozwara, Onkoba Nyamongo, Godfree Mlambo, Barry Ellefsen, Drew Hannaman, Nirbhay Kumar, 2013. Functional evaluation of malaria Pfs25 DNA vaccine by in vivo electroporation in olive baboons. VACCINE. JUN 28;31(31):3140-7. DOI: 10.1016/J.VACCINE.2013.05.006.View →
  35. 35.Maina Ichagichu, Maina Ngotho, Simon M. Karanja, Gilbert Kokwaro, Thomas Kariuki, Alexis Nzila and Hastings Ozwara. 2013. Preclinical drug evaluation system in the Plasmodium knowlesi baboon model of malaria: the methotrexate study. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL PRIMATOLOGY 42:62-70
  36. 36.Mustafa Barasa, ZipporaW. Ng’ang’a, G.A. Sowayi, J.M. Okoth, M.B.O. Barasa, F.B.M. Namulanda, Esther A. Kagasi, Michael M. Gicheru, and Hastings S. Ozwara. 2012. Cytokine expression in malaria-infected non-human primate placentas. OPEN VETERINARY JOURNAL, 2: 58-64
  37. 37.Teresia Nyawira, Michael Gicheru, Zipporah Ng’ang’a and Hastings Ozwara. 2012. Acute Plasmodium knowlesi H infection in olive baboons (Papio anubis) is accompanied by high-level of Gamma interferon. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY 4(2):92-101
  38. 38.Daniel Maina, Gunturu Revathi, Samuel Kariuki, and Hastings Ozwara. 2012. Genotypes and cephalosporin susceptibility in Extended Spectrum Beta- Lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae in Community. THE JOURNAL OF INFECTION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. 6(6):470-477.
  39. 39.Maamun JM, Suleman MA, Akinyi M, Ozwara H, Kariuki T, Carlsson HE. 2011. Prevalence of Babesia microti in free-ranging baboons and African green monkeys. JOURNAL OF PARASITOL. 97(1):63-7.
  40. 40.Patrick S. Were, Michael M. Gicheru, Erick Mwangi and Hastings S. Ozwara (2010). Prophylactic and therapeutic activities of extracts from Wurbugia ugandensis Sprague (Canalliace) and Zanthoxylum usambarense (Eng.) Kokwaro (Rutaceae) against Plasmodium knowlesi and Plasmodium berghei. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY. 130:158-62
  41. 41.Barasa Mustafa, Mwangi Irungu Michael, Mutiso Muli Joshua, Kagasi Ambogo Esther, Ozwara Suba Hastings, Gicheru Muita Michael (2010). Plasmodium knowlesi H strain pregnancy malaria immune responses in olive baboons (Papio anubis) INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY 9(2): 54-58
  42. 42.Mustafa Barasa, Michael M. Gicheru, Esther A. Kagasi, Hastings S. Ozwara (2010). Characterisation of Placental Malaria in olive baboons (Papio anubis) infected with Plasmodium knowlesi H strain. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY 10(1): 54-58
  43. 43.Barasa Mustafa, Maamun Jenneby, Kagasi Ambogo Esther, Ozwara Suba Hastings, Gicheru Muita Michael. 2010. Immunity to Plasmodium knowlesi H strain malaria in olive baboons. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY, 10(3): 147-152
  44. 44.Serah K. Muthoni, Hastings S. Ozwara, William T. Mutahi and Dorcas S. Yole (2009). Parasitological and Immunopathological responses Balb/C mice with concomitant Schistosoma mansoni and Plasmodium berghei infections. THE INTERNET JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE 5(2).
  45. 45.James M. Munyao, MM Gicheru, ZW Ngang’a, E. Kagasi and Hastings Ozwara (2008). Transfection of Plasmodium knowlesi in baboon (Papio anubis) provides a new system for analysis of parasites expressed transgenes and host-parasite interface. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY 2(2): 100-108
  46. 46.Agam P. Singh, Hastings Ozwara, Clemens H. Kocken, Sunil K. Puri, Alan Thomas and Chetan Chitnis. 2005. Targeted deletion of Plasmodium knowlesi Duffy binding protein confirms its role in junction formation during invasion. MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY 55(6), 1925–1934
  47. 47.H. Ozwara Suba, J.M. Munyao, E.A. Kagasi, J. M. Mwenda, E. Wango, C.H.M. Kocken, A.W. Thomas (2004). Transfection of Plasmodium knowlesi in the olive baboon (Papio anubis): a new model for characterization of host-parasite interaction. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE 71(4):24
  48. 48.Hastings Ozwara, Jan AM Langermans, Clemens HM Kocken, Annemarie van der Wel , Peter H van der Meide, Richard AW Vervenne, Jason M Mwenda and Alan W. Thomas. Transfected Plasmodium knowlesi produces bioactive host IFN- gamma: A new perspective for modulating immune responses to malaria parasites. INFECTION AND IMMUNITY. 2003;71(8):4375-81.
  49. 49.Hastings Ozwara, Annemarie van der Wel, Clemens H.M. Kocken, and Alan W. Thomas. Heterologous promoter activity in stable and transient Plasmodium knowlesi transgenes. MOLECULAR AND BIOCHEMICAL PARASITOLOGY. 2003;130:61-64
  50. 50.Hastings Ozwara, Jan A. M. Langermans, Jenneby Maamun, Idle O. Farah, Dorcas S. Yole, Jason M. Mwenda, Horst Weiler, and Alan W. Thomas. Experimental Plasmodium knowlesi infection in the olive baboon (Papio anubis): severe disease is accompanied with cerebral involvement. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE. 2003;69(2):188-94.
  51. 51.Clemens H. M. Kocken, Hastings Ozwara, Annemarie van der Wel, Annette L. Beetsma, Jason M. Mwenda and Alan W. Thomas. Plasmodium knowlesi provides a rapid in vitro and in vivo transfection system allowing double crossover gene knockout studies. INFECTION AND IMMUNITY. 2002;70(2): 655-60
  52. 52.Hastings S. Ozwara, Clemens H. M. Kocken, David J. Conway, Jason M. Mwenda and Alan W. Thomas. Comparative analysis of Plasmodium reichenowi and P. falciparum erythrocyte binding proteins reveals selection to maintain polymorphism in the erythrocyte binding region of EBA-175. MOLECULAR AND BIOCHEMICAL PARASITOLOGY2001;116:81-84.
  53. 53.Hastings Ozwara, Henk N, Leo Buijs, Magreet Jonker, Jon Heeney, Charanjit Bambra, Alan Thomas and Jan Langermans. Flow cytometric analysis on reactivity of human T-lymphocyte specific and cytokine-receptor specific antibodies with peripheral blood mononuclear cells of chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), rhesus macaque (Macaca Mullata), and Squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus). JOURNAL OF MEDICAL PRIMATOLOGY 1997; 26:164-171.
  54. 54.Hastings Ozwara, Joseph Olobo and Lucy Irungu. Evaluation of immune associated cells in lesions of Leishmania major infected vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops). AFRICAN JOURNAL OF HEALTH SCIENCES 1995; 2:349-353 Book Chapters
  55. 55.Idle Farah, Maina Ngotho, John Kagira, Thomas Kariuki, Maamun Jeneby, Naomi Maina, Michael Gicheru, Hastings Ozwara and Jann Hau (2010). Animal Models for Tropical Parasites Animal Models. Handbook of Laboratory Animal Science, Vol III, Third Edition, Jan Hau and Steven J Schapiro (Editors). Taylor and Francis Group LLC.
  56. 56.Hastings Ozwara and A. Thomas. Heterologous gene expression in Plasmodium knowlesi: a highly manipulable system for characterising structure and function of vaccine candidate molecules. Publication of VII European commission meeting of Malaria Contract Holders. September 1999; Heidelberg, Germany.