John Kimotho

John Kimotho is a Kenyan biomedical research scientist and PhD candidate in Immunology at The Open University, Buckinghamshire, UK, based at the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP), Kilifi, Kenya. His PhD is supported by SANTHE, and he is also a recipient of the IAVI ADVANCE Early Career Investigator Award, which supports his doctoral studies. John holds a master’s degree in Immunology from Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya, and a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science and Technology from the University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.

His work integrates systems immunology, transcriptomics and serology to investigate how cumulative pathogen exposure influences immune function and vaccine responses. This includes studies of geographically distinct African populations and comparative analyses of HIV germline-targeting vaccine responses across African and North American cohorts. Through this work, he aims to identify immune signatures that explain population-level variation in vaccine responsiveness and generate evidence to support the development of more effective and globally representative vaccines.

Kimotho is passionate about applying multidisciplinary approaches to address global health challenges and advancing immunological research that informs precision vaccinology in diverse populations.