KC Biomedical & One Health Research Center is a Sierra Leone–based research team studying infectious diseases, immunology, and environmental health — and training the next generation of African scientists.
Led by Prof. Alhaji Umar Njai, our team works at the intersection of biomedical science and One Health — the understanding that human, animal, and environmental health are deeply linked. We conduct research on epidemic pathogens, build local laboratory and research capacity, and mentor students across Sierra Leone and beyond.
Our work spans infectious disease outbreaks such as Ebola and Lassa fever, immunology and functional genomics, environmental and toxicological health, and community-based science education. We believe world-class research can and should be led from within Africa.
Our research is organized around the One Health mission — connecting biomedical discovery to real-world impact for communities.
Research on Ebola, Lassa fever, and other epidemic pathogens — from surveillance to vaccine and diagnostics development.
Explore this research →Functional genomics, host immune response, and molecular mechanisms of disease.
Links between environmental health, toxicology, animal health, and human wellbeing.
Stem cell biology, diagnostics, and translational research adapted to local settings.
Mentoring students, post-docs, and early-career scientists to strengthen Sierra Leone’s research ecosystem.
Community-based research, health education, and partnerships that translate science into public benefit.
Active studies the team is leading and collaborating on across Sierra Leone and West Africa.
Prof. Njai — Principal Investigator · Co-PI: Prof. Jorge Osorio, Global Health Institute, UW–Madison
Identifying and diagnosing the causes of undiagnosed fevers — fevers of unknown origin — at sentinel health facilities in Freetown. The study strengthens early detection of emerging and epidemic pathogens and informs national public-health response.
Support: UW–Madison Global Health Institute Africa One Health Center & the Abbott Pandemic Defense Coalition (APDC).
Sentinel sites: Connaught, Ola During Children’s, 34 Military, Choithram Memorial & Rokupa hospitals.
Prof. Njai — Sierra Leone Country Principal Investigator · A multi-country WACCREP consortium
A West African collaboration building clinical and genomic research capacity on arboviral diseases — such as dengue and other mosquito-borne viruses — across Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia.
Sponsor: Science for Africa Foundation (SFA) — EPSILON programme.
Lead PI: Prof. Seydou Doumbia, USTTB, Mali.
Our WACCREP Webinar Series brings together researchers and public-health leaders across West Africa to share knowledge on epidemic preparedness.
WACCREP Webinar Series · Webinar Nº 2026-001
Climate change, population growth, greater mobility, expanding human–animal contact and ecological change are driving emerging and re-emerging outbreaks — Ebola, Hantavirus, mpox, COVID-19 and more. Proactive preparedness, not reactive response, sits at the core of effective, people-centred public-health emergency response. This webinar is a platform for discussion and knowledge exchange on preparedness, prevention, response and recovery.
Featured speakers
Prof. Alhaji Njai — Public health & infectious-disease preparedness and response
Dr. Joseph Bore — Pathogen surveillance, zoonotic spillover & diagnostics
Highlights
Our team’s leadership shapes health research and policy across Sierra Leone and the region.
Co-led international Ebola research with UW–Madison, University of Sierra Leone, and University of Tokyo, contributing to novel vaccine development. Co-Chair of the West African Consortium for Clinical Research on Epidemic Pathogens (WACCREP).
Chairs Sierra Leone’s One Health Technical Working Group and serves as Africa CDC Research Champion for Sierra Leone.
Founder of Project 1808 and Editor for the Sierra Leone Journal of Biomedical Research, growing local research capacity.
A multidisciplinary team of researchers, students, and collaborators.
Associate Professor of immunology, infectious diseases and environmental health at the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS), University of Sierra Leone. Founder of Project 1808; Chairman of Sierra Leone’s One Health Technical Working Group; Africa CDC Research Champion for Sierra Leone; Co-Chair of the West African Consortium for Clinical Research on Epidemic Pathogens (WACCREP); and Editor for the Sierra Leone Journal of Biomedical Research. His research spans functional genomics, immunology, toxicology, and stem cell biology.
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We work with universities, health agencies, and research consortia across the globe.
For research collaboration, student opportunities, or media enquiries.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +232 78 375157, +232 79 155000, +232 30 024514
Location: The Infectious Disease Prevention Centre, Joint Medical Unit, 34 Military Hospital, Wilberforce, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Affiliation: College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS), University of Sierra Leone
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