Walter Jaoko is a physician, a professor of medical microbiology and tropical medicine and the Director of KAVI-Institute of Clinical Research, at the University of Nairobi. He is also an Extraordinary Professor of Medicine at Stellenbosch University’s Centre for Bioethics and Law in the Department of Medicine, and Adjunct Professor, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham. 

He holds a Bachelors’ degree in medicine from University of Nairobi, a Masters’ degree in Tropical Medicine from Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, a PhD in Medical Microbiology from University of Nairobi. 

He has conducted clinical research in infectious diseases transmission, treatment and control. In this regard, he has published over 200 articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals. His areas of interest has been in understanding the risk factors for HIV transmission, HIV superinfection, preventive HIV vaccine research and development, among others.  Currently, his research focuses on the use of monoclonal antibodies for prevention of HIV transmission, and on research and development of second generation COVID-19 preventive vaccines.

He also has 16 years management experience as Deputy Director and Director of an Institute, and previously as Chairman of the Department of Medical Microbiology at University of Nairobi, and is a member or chair of several Boards, including being the vice-chair of the Expert Committee on Clinical Trials of the Kenya Pharmacy and Poisons Board.  

Furthermore, he has a keen interest in research ethics, and through a Fogarty Grant by the USA National Institutes of Health he obtained Postgraduate Diploma in Health Research Ethics from Stellenbosch University, and has most recently qualified with a Masters’ degree in Global Bioethics from Anahuac University. Walter Jaoko is a member of the research ethics committee of Strathmore University, a private university in Nairobi, Kenya.