Dr. Jonathan Kayondo

Dr. Jonathan Kayondo is Principal Investigator for Target Malaria in Uganda. He is also Senior Research Officer for the Department of Entomology, and the current acting Head of the Department of Entomology at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI). Dr. Kayondo joined Target Malaria in 2014. He has become a leader in vector biology and genetic approaches to reduce and eradicate malaria in Africa.

Dr. Kayondo’s academic background is focused on Biochemistry, Chemistry and Molecular Genetics. He holds a B.Sc. from Makerere University, Uganda and a Ph.D. in Vector Biology & Genomics from the University of Notre Dame, USA.

As lead scientist, Dr. Kayondo works to position UVRI as a centre of knowledge and excellence for cutting-edge science in Uganda. His work entails planning, organising, coordinating research activities and building research facilities and teams able to contribute to innovative research. He leads both the laboratory and field study teams, overlooks infrastructure upgrades, secures research funding and supports staff training and mentorship.

Recent media coverage:

• Vox, ‘Target Malaria’s scientists are working to rid Africa of an ancient plague‘
• BBC News, ‘The sci-fi technology tackling malarial mosquitos‘
• Africanews, ‘In Uganda, genetically modified mosquitoes bring hope and fear‘