Roger Pelle

Roger Pelle is the BecA-ILRI Hub's principal scientist, capacity building. He provides technical guidance and strengthens the research capacity of scientists (with a particular focus on molecular parasitology). He previously worked with the ILRI Biosciences vaccine group where played a key role in developing a new molecular technique (RADES-PCR) to accelerate the rate of identification of important genes and their products in protozoa. His experience spans research and training on the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus and Theileria parva. In that regard, he was instrumental in the research effort that led to the identification of CD8 T cell antigens from T. parva, which are now being evaluated as candidate vaccine antigens against East Coast fever and tropical theileriosis.