James Nokes PhD

James Nokes, PhD have over 30 years of experience in virus epidemiology, applying a wide range of methods to characterize and improve understanding of pathogen transmission dynamics, both in developed (UK) and developing (Ethiopia and Kenya) country settings. Currently, pathogens of key interest include respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinovirus and rotavirus. Previously Nokes have worked on rubella, measles and hepatitis B. Studies employ field surveillance, seroepidemiology, molecular and immuno-diagnostics, radio-frequency (proximity) sensors, contact diaries, Sanger and next-generation sequencing, phylogenetics, statistical analysis and transmission dynamics modelling.

Nokes have applied transmission dynamics models to the design of vaccine programmes to support decision making for the UK Department of Health (measles, HBV) and WHO (measles); used cross-sectional seroepidemiological and respiratory virus cohort studies to underpin transmission and control models, eg RSV; undertaken long-term virus surveillance to evaluate immunization programme impact; integrated genomic and epidemiological data to infer the source and spread of infection and who acquires infection from whom. Current projects include RIPEK (Rotavirus Immunization Program Evaluation in Kenya), and SPReD (Studying the Pathways of Respiratory Virus Infectious Disease in Kenya). Nokes primarily based in Kenya at the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, where Nokes has not only conducted research but taken a keen interest in nurturing East African science leaders, in particular acting as Research Degree Coordinator for the PhD Programme for 7 years, heading a thriving research group (http://virec-group.org/) and supervision PGD, Masters, and PhD students. Nokes currently direct an NIHR Global Health Research Group, GeMVi, for the Application of Genomics and Modelling to the Control of Virus Pathogens in East Africa.