Elvis Madara

Graduate Mentee (BioImaging & Microscopy) Apr 2026 -

National University of Singapore

Participating in a selective six-month mentorship under Lee Shu Ying (NUS), focusing on advanced microscopy techniques and image analysis for biological research.

Public Service Commission (PSC) Intern Feb 2026 -

Nairobi

Key Responsibilities & Technical Expertise:

• Laboratory Rotations: Actively rotating through the Plant Mycology and Tissue Culture laboratories to support national phytosanitary and biosecurity standards.
• Pathogen Diagnostics: Performing advanced identification and diagnostic protocols for critical plant pathogens, including fungal agents like Fusarium and bacterial threats such as Ralstonia solanacearum.
• Tissue Culture Operations: Executing aseptic techniques for micropropagation and plantlet conservation, ensuring the production of disease-free planting materials.
• Phytosanitary Compliance: Contributing to the institutional mission of safeguarding Kenya's agricultural biodiversity through rigorous laboratory testing and biosecurity monitoring.
• One-Health Integration: Applying cross-disciplinary laboratory skills to bridge plant pathology and medical microbiology, particularly in pathogen surveillance and environmental health.

Postgraduate Laboratory Attachee Sep 2024 - Apr 2025

Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI)

Postgraduate Clinical & Research Rotations (KNPHI):
Completed intensive laboratory rotations across several National Reference Laboratories, gaining hands-on proficiency in specialized diagnostic and surveillance frameworks:

• National Microbiology Reference Laboratory (NMRL): Focused on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance and enteric pathogen characterization.
• National HIV Reference Laboratory (NHRL): Applied molecular and serological techniques for HIV diagnostics and viral load monitoring.
• National Oncology Reference Laboratory (NORL): Engaged in specialized pathology and diagnostic workflows for cancer screening and monitoring.
• National Virology Reference Laboratory (NVRL): Gained experience in the surveillance and identification of viral pathogens of public health importance.
• National Influenza Centre (NIC): Participated in respiratory pathogen surveillance and molecular characterization of influenza strains.
• National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory (NTRL): Performed advanced diagnostics for TB, including culture and drug susceptibility testing.

University of Nairobi (UoN) 2023 -

Field of study: Medical Microbiology
Degree: Master of Science (MSc)

• Specialized Coursework: Completed comprehensive coursework focused on advanced medical microbiology: Immunology, Molecular biology, Medical Bacteriology, Medical Parasitology, Medical Mycology, Medical Virology, Medical Entomology, Epidemiology & Biostatistics, and Research Methodology. 
• Research Focus: Currently developing a thesis proposal centered on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and the molecular characterization of enteric pathogens.
• Leadership: Served as the Class Representative (2023-2024), acting as the primary liaison between the student body and the faculty to facilitate academic and administrative coordination.

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) 2018 - 2023

Field of study: Medical Biochemistry
Degree: Bachelor of Science (BSc)

• Core Competencies: Acquired a deep understanding of clinical biochemistry, molecular genetics, and laboratory medicine protocols.
• Technical Foundation: Developed proficiency in core laboratory techniques, including spectrophotometry, chromatography, and enzymatic assays.
• Professional Engagement: Active member of the Jomo Kenyatta Biochemistry Society, participating in academic forums and professional networking events.