Vincent Nyangwara

Vincent Aketch Nyangwara is a young scientist with a keen interest in translation of Genomics research into clinical space to help reduce the burden of genetic disorders in Africa and world at large.

His interests include: Oncogenomics, Pharmacogenomics, Communicable and Non-communicable diseases, Rare & Heritable genetic disorders and Bioinformatics. Vincent was an EDCTP scholar on a joint Master’s program in Genomics and Precision medicine offered by Chinhoyi University of Technology in collaboration with African Institute of Biomedical Science and technology. Vincent was awarded scholarship by European Society of Human Genetics to attend a GWAS course offered by University of Surrey, United Kingdom.

He is concurrently a Genomic scientist, attached at the Genomic Medicine department, of the African Institute of Biomedical Science & Technology in Zimbabwe.

Genomic scientist, Genomic Medicine department, African Institute of Biomedical Science and technology (AiBST), Harare, Zimbabwe

Genomic Technology skills

• Genotyping using QuantStudio 12K Flex Real-Time PCR System
• Extracted DNA using manual method and semi-automated methods like KingFisher Flex System.
• Performed Next generation sequencing (NGS) library preparation and sequencing using Genexus platform
• Good understanding of laboratory information management system (Labcollector)
• Investigated different nucleic acid-extraction methods for quality control before performing conventional PCR and qPCR
• Analysed resulting genes signature from sequencing and genotyping for potential drug targets.
• Therapeutic drug monitoring using HPLC and LC-MS/MS
• Managed molecular data and conducted molecular genotyping to determine the genetic diversity of human to add value to human genetic resources.
• Adhere to laboratory quality control policies, document all QC activities, instrument and procedural calibration and instrument maintenance.
• Performed routine laboratory assignments in accordance with company SOP's and any other applicable guidelines and regulations including GLP if applicable.

Bioinformatics skills

• Establish data analysis pipeline for Whole Exome Sequencing to prioritize clinically-actionable genetic variants from 17 African Countries.
• Performed analysis and data interpretation of genomics, transcriptomics and metabolomics prostate dataset of African Ancestry to profile commonly shared pathways for better disease prognosis.
• Participated in The African Society for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (ASBCB) completion with support from the National Institutes of Health Office of Data Science Strategy (ODSS)
• Paired with bioinformatics colleagues to develop a multiomics pipeline for integrating different omics datasets with particular focus on breast cancer, prostate cancer and colorectal cancers.
• Participated in the WACCBIP IRD Helminth Bioinformatics Course 2021 which aimed to equip participants with the skills needed to access, analyse and display large-scale genomic data with support from Wellcome Trust
• Completed Linux Foundation X: Introduction to Linux (LFS101x) on Edx.
• Enrolled in the H3ABionet Int-BT 16SRNA 2021, IBT_2021 and H3ABiNGS_2022 courses.

Research Assistant, Kenya Medical Research Institute- Centre for Microbiology Research (KEMRI-CMR), Nairobi, Kenya.

Responsibilities

Worked under established researchers on Antimicrobial Resistance pathogens. Main projects: 1) Antimicrobial resistance surveillance in military and civilian populations in Kenya with emphasis on methicillin- and vancomycin- resistant S. aureus. 2) A surveillance study of antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates from patients seeking treatment in selected military and civilian clinics in Kenya. 3) Frequency and

Antimicrobial susceptibility of ESKAPEE bacteria isolated from patients with urinary tract infections.

Main duties

• Performed growth, isolation and identification of microorganisms by gram stain, and microscopy.
• Performed Antimicrobial susceptibility testing using Disc diffusion, E-test, automated Microscan and VITEK 2.
• Carried out extraction of bacteria (S. aureus) using kits and mechanical methods.
• Carried out conventional, real-time PCR for DNA amplification and equipment maintenance.
• Provided technical contributions and knowledge of protein quantification and analysis by PAGE and Western blot
• Gained notable experience in Data compilation, entry, analysis and presentation using various analytical tools (R and Stata-Softwares)
• Manuscript drafting, writing & reviews
• Development of study design, methodology and laboratory operational SOPs.

Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT)/ African Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology (AiBST), Harare, Zimbabwe

Master of Science in Genomics and Precision Medicine. European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) Full merit scholarship

Kenyatta University, Nairobi-Kenya

Bachelor of Science in Microbiology [Honours] Degree (Upper second class)