Personal information

Medicinal Chemistry/Phytochemistry
Kenya

Biography

Dr. Elizabeth Kigondu’s research interests have been very diverse but her focus now is on drug discovery and product development. Currently, her research projects revolve around exploring synthetic compounds and plant based natural products to identify molecules that can circumvent development of resistance in Mycobacteria tuberculosis (Mtb). She is also pursuing natural product-based compounds for development of a contraceptive with minimal side effects and acceptable to users especially in my African settings.

Elizabeth is now part of an EU-Horizon funded project that is designed to carryout activities that will enhance the collaborations within the Drug Discovery and Development Communities within Africa and Europe. Mentorship and training of young scientist will be one of the key outputs of this project. One of the collaborative research initiatives involves Dr. Kigondu’s role as a co-principal investigator in the tuberculosis (TB) drug discovery and development African consortium that was recently formed and funded by the Gates Foundation to develop compounds targeting protein degradation in Mtb. The consortium is housed within the Grand Challenges African Drug Discovery Accelerator (GC ADDA) network.

In the recent past, Elizabeth received another award: The Grand Challenges Africa TB Drug Discovery seed grant through the Science for Africa Foundation (SFA), to explore compounds that could disrupt efflux activity, an intrinsic mechanism of resistance in Mtb. This idea was initiated in a project that was supported by a grant from the The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS). Elizabeth’s contraceptive product development study has also lately received a Non-Hormonal Contraceptive Product Development Grant award from the Gates Foundation through SFA.

In addition, to these great achievements, Elizabeth is an alumni of the Faculty for the Future Fellowship (Schlumberger Foundation) and during this award period, she had an opportunity to spend three months at the Novartis AG Pharmaceutical Company, Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetic Department, Basel, Switzerland, where she build her skills in the area of drug metabolism. Three years ago, she was awarded a Scientific Discovery Fellowship by the Janssen Pharmaceutical N.V. During this period, she went through a mentorship program and had an opportunity to visit the Janssen labs in Beerse, Belgium for another 3 months to acquire some skills in carrying out TB assays, specifically those that measure efflux activity inhibition. Through collaborations she has been fortunate to be part of a TB drug discovery project exploring antimycobacterial natural product based compounds for further development, that was funded by the Medical Research Foundation (MRF, UK). Within KEMRI, she has also had a number of studies funded locally and internationally as a principal- and a co-investigator.

Dr. Kigondu has published over 30 publications and has presented her research work in several conferences. In her past and present research work, Elizabeth has collaborated with various scientists (within and without KEMRI). She has been mentoring several students undertaking their undergraduate and postgraduate courses locally and internationally. Elizabeth is a member of the KEMRI’s Institutional Review Board where her role is to review internal and external research proposals. In addition, she is a member of Bioethics Society of Kenya amongst other organizations.

Activities

Employment (6)

Kenya Medical Research Institute: Nairobi, KE

2024-05-01 to present | Senior Principal Research Scientist (Center for Traditional Medicine & Drug Research)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Kenya Medical Research Institute: Nairobi, KE

2020-05-01 to 2024-04-30 | Principal Research Scientist (Center for Traditional Medicine & Drug Research)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Kenya Medical Research Institute: Nairobi, KE

2018-05-01 to 2020-04-30 | Senior Research Scientist (Center for Traditional Medicine & Drug Research)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Kenya Medical Research Institute: Nairobi, KE

2007-07-01 to 2018-04-30 | Research Scientist (Center for Traditional Medicine & Drug Research)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Novartis Pharma AG: Basel, Basel-Stadt, CH

2014-06-01 to 2014-08-31 | Next Generation of Scientist Intern (Drug Metabolism & Pharmacokinetics)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

University of Cape Town: Rondebosch, Western Cape, ZA

2012-03-01 to 2014-07-31 | Tutor/Demonstrator (Chemistry)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Education and qualifications (5)

Kenya School of Government: Nairobi, KE

2023-09-04 to 2023-10-13 | Strategic Leadership Development Program (SLDP)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

University of Washington Global Health e-Learning: Washington, Seattle, US

2018-09-17 to 2018-12-09 | Leadership and Management in Health Course (Global Health)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

University of Cape Town: Rondebosch, Western Cape, ZA

2012-02-01 to 2015-12-14 | PhD (Chemistry)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology: Nairobi, KE

2004-08-01 to 2007-07-27 | MSc in Medicinal Chemistry (Institute of Tropical Medicien & Infectious Diseases)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology: Nairobi, KE

1998-04-01 to 2002-03-27 | BSc Chemistry (Chemistry)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Professional activities (8)

Christian and Scientific Association of Kenya : Nairobi, KE

2016 to present | Member
Membership
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Kenya Medical Research Institute: Nairobi, KE

2015-10-01 to present | Proposals Reviewer (Scientific and Ethical Review Unit )
Membership
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Schlumberger Foundation, Faculty for the Future Fellows: The Hague, NL

2014-01-01 to present | Member
Membership
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World: Trieste, IT

2009-01-01 to present | Member
Membership
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Natural Product of Eastern and Central Africa: Nairobi, KE

2006 to present | Member
Membership
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Janssen (Belgium): Beerse, BE

2022-06-01 to 2022-08-20 | Johnson and Johnson Scientific Fellow (Tuberculosis Drug Discovery and Development)
Invited position
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Kenya Ministry of Health: Nairobi, KE

2018-01-08 to 2019-03-31 | Technical Working Group for developing traditional medicine policy document
Service
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Kenya Ministry of Health: Nairobi, KE

2018-07-06 to 2018-07-13 | Member of a Technical Working Group for developing Health Performance Indicators
Service
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Funding (12)

Pursuing targeted protein degradation as a new strategy for antituberculosis drug development

2024-01 to 2026-12 | Grant
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (Seattle, US)
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Research and development of a novel natural product based non-hormonal female contraceptive

2024-01 to 2025-12 | Grant
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (Seattle, US)
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Research and development of a novel natural product based oral female sterilizing contraceptive

2022-03 to 2024-02 | Grant
Kenya Medical Research Institute (Nairobi, KE)
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Assessment of novel natural product drug combinations for the treatment of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant TB

2021-07 to 2022-06 | Grant
Medical Research Foundation (Bristol, GB)
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Identification of novel synthetic and natural products derivatives targeting Mycobacterium tuberculosis bedaquiline/clofazimine/doxycycline efflux pumps

2021-04 to 2023-03 | Grant
Grand Challenges Africa through Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa (AESA) (Nairobi, KE)
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Documentation, Pre-Clinical Evaluation and Prototype Development of Natural Products or in Combinations with Hydroxychloroquine for Prevention and Management of Covid-19

2020-08 to 2022-05 | Grant
Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Internal Research Grants (Nairobi, KE)
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Isolation, characterization and bioactivity evaluation of phytochemicals from selected medicinal plants of Fabaceae family against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

2020-07 to 2022-06 | Grant
International Foundation for Science (Stockholm , SE)
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Antifertility Evaluation of Bioactive Compounds from Selected Kenyan Medicinal Plants

2019-11 to 2022-10 | Grant
National Research Fund, Kenya (Nairobi, KE)
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Evaluation of anticancer, antidiabetic, phytochemical and safety properties of formulated herbal remedies being marketed in selected counties of Kenya

2019-01 to 2021-12 | Grant
Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Internal Research Grants (Nairobi, KE)
Part of GRANT_NUMBER:

KEMRI/CONF/FIN/6/101

Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

An Investigation of anti-TB properties against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, of extracts and compounds derived from Kenyan medicinal plants, in combination with anti-TB drugs, for development of an antimycobacterial regimen

2018-01 to 2020-12 | Grant
The World Academy of Sciences (Trieste, IT)
GRANT_NUMBER:

17-359 RG/CHE/AF/AC_I – FR3240297746

Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Immune enhancing potentials of Moringa oleifera nutritional supplement in treatment of HIV/AIDS

2016-04 to 2019-06 | Grant
National Research Fund (Nairobi, KE)
Part of GRANT_NUMBER:

DVCR/NRF/VOL.1/85

Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Holistic assessment of malaria in Kirinyaga County: Evaluation of antimalarial drugs quality insecticide treated nets and improvement of diagnosis

2016-03 to 2019-12 | Grant
Kenyan Government (Nairobi, KE)
Part of GRANT_NUMBER:

KEMRI/CONF/FIN/6/101

Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Works (32)

Natural products with antiparasitic activity: Bioactive extracts from Kenyan flora against leishmaniasis.

International Journal of Fauna and Biological Studies
2024-06-26 | Journal article
OTHER-ID:

E-ISSN 2347-2677

Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Simultaneous Determination of Selected Antidiabetic Pharmaceutical Drugs as Adulterants in Herbal Medicines Sold in Kenya Using Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC–MS/MS)

Chemistry Africa
2023-10 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 2522-5758
Part of ISSN: 2522-5766
Contributors: Maina Caroline; A. Gachanja; E. M. Kigondu; P. K. Kairigo; J. Ouma; T. Tuhkanen; J. Gichuki; L. C. Koech; R. M. Nyangacha
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Deciphering the antimycobacterial, cytotoxicity and phytochemical profile of Entada abyssinica stem bark

Vegetos
2023-09-07 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 2229-4473
Contributors: Samuel Baker Obakiro; Timothy Omara; Ambrose Kiprop; Lydia Bunalema; Isaac Kowino; Elizabeth Kigondu
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Use of Hair Samples for Monitoring of Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence

East Africa Science
2023-03-30 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 2664-0996
Part of ISSN: 2664-1003
Contributors: Philomena Chepkirui; Elizabeth Kigondu; Margaret Nganga; Ouma Josephine Adhiambo; Bhavna Chohan; Musa Otieno Ngayo; Beatrice Irungu
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Phytochemical, Cytotoxicity, and Antimycobacterial Activity Evaluation of Extracts and Compounds from the Stem Bark of Albizia coriaria Welw ex. Oliver

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
2022-01-22 | Journal article
Contributors: Samuel Baker Obakiro; Ambrose Kiprop; Isaac K’owino; Moses Andima; Richard Oriko Owor; Robi Chacha; Elizabeth Kigondu; Jorddy Neves Cruz
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Sub-Acute Toxicity Effects of Methanolic Stem Bark Extract of <i>Entada abyssinica</i> on Biochemical, Haematological and Histopathological Parameters in Wistar Albino Rats.

Frontiers in pharmacology
2021-09-07 | Journal article
Contributors: Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

Integrity, use and care of long-lasting insecticidal nets in Kirinyaga County, Kenya.

BMC public health
2021-05-03 | Journal article | Author
Contributors: Mary nyangi; Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu; Irungu B; Nganga M; Gachanja A; Murigi M; Nyangacha R; Muniu E; Kamau L; Gathirwa J
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Traditional Medicinal Uses, Phytoconstituents, Bioactivities, and Toxicities of <i>Erythrina abyssinica</i> Lam. ex DC. (Fabaceae): A Systematic Review.

Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
2021-03-03 | Journal article | Author
Contributors: Samuel Baker Obakiro; Ambrose Kiprop; Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu; K'Owino I; Mark Peter Odero; Scolastica Manyim; Timothy Omara; Namukobe J; Richard Oriko Owor; Yahaya Gavamukulya et al.
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Developing synergistic drug combinations to restore antibiotic sensitivity in drug-resistant <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i>.

Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy
2021-02-22 | Journal article
Contributors: Omollo C; Vinayak Singh; Kigondu E; Wasuna A; Agarwal P; Moosa A; Ioerger TR; Mizrahi V; Kelly Chibale; Digby Warner
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Ethnobotany, ethnopharmacology, and phytochemistry of traditional medicinal plants used in the management of symptoms of tuberculosis in East Africa: a systematic review.

Tropical medicine and health
2020-08-14 | Journal article | Author
Contributors: Samuel Baker Obakiro; Ambrose Kiprop; Kowino I; Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu; Mark Peter Odero; Timothy Omara; Bunalema L
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Antimycobacterial activities, cytotoxicity and phytochemical screening of extracts for three medicinal plants growing in Kenya

Journal of Medicinal Plants Research
2020-04-30 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 1996-0875
Contributors: Nimbeshaho François; Ngina Mwangi Charity; Orina Fred; Chacha Meryl; Adipo Nicholas; O. Moody Jones; M. Kigondu Elizabeth
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Antimycobacterial activity, cytotoxicity and phytochemical screening of organic extracts of Commiphora africana stem bark from Kenya.

EAS Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology
2020-03-01 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Pyrethrins in soil and water from selected pyrethrum growing areas in nakuru county, Kenya

African Journal of Health Sciences
2019-03-01 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Efficacy and Safety of Up-scaled Dosage of 60mg/kg Praziquantel in Control of Schistosoma mansoni in School Going Children in Kirinyaga County, Kenya

International Journal of Tropical Disease & Health
2018-12 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

In vivo Antifertility and Safety Profiles of Kenyan Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae) extracts

African Journal of Pharmacology and Therapeutics
2016-12-13 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Antinociceptive effect of Pentas lanceolata and Ximenia americana medicinal plants used to treat malaria traditionally in Kenya

African Journal of Pharmacology and Therapeutics
2016-07 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Esterase phenotyping in human liver in vitro:specificity of carboxylesterase inhibitors

Xenobiotica
2016-02 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Repurposing Chlorpromazine and its Metabolites for Antituberculosis Drug Discovery

University of Cape Town
2015-12-14 | Dissertation or Thesis
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Antimalarial activities and toxicity levels of selected medicinal plants used in Kenya

African Journal of Pharmacology and Therapeutics
2015-08 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Toxicity and efficacy of aqueous crude extracts from Allium sativum, Callistemon citrinus and Moringa stenopetala against L. Major.

Journal of Research and Innovation
2015-01 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 2305-784X
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

In vivo antifertility activity and phytochemical screening of selected Kenyan medicinal plants.

African Journal of Pharmacology and Therapeutics
2014-08 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Pharmacologically active metabolites, combination screening and target identification-driven drug repositioning in antituberculosis drug discovery

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry
2014-08 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

In vitro activity of aqueous and methanol extracts of Callistemon citrinus (Family Myrtaceae) against Leishmania major.

African Journal of Health Sciences
2014-04 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Efficacy of crude methanolic extracts of Allium sativum L. and Moringa stenopetala (Baker f.) Cufod. against Leishmania major.

International Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
2014-03 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 2249-4340
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Synthesis and synergistic antimycobacterial screening of chlorpromazine and its metabolites

Medicinal Chemistry Communication
2014-01-01 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

In vitro and in vivo activities of blends of crude aqueous extracts from Allium sativum L, Callistemon citrinus (Curtis) Skeels and Moringa stenopetala (Baker F) Cufodontis against Leishmania major.

International Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
2013-06 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 2249-4340
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Antimicrobial activity of organic total extracts of three Kenyan medicinal plants.

African Journal of Pharmacology and Therapeutics
2012-03 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Antiplasmodial and cytotoxicity activities of some selected plants used by the Maasai community, Kenya.

South African Journal of Botany.
2011-03-18 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Experimental chemotherapy with Allium sativum (Liliaceae) methanolic extract in rodents infected with Leishmania major and Leishmania donovani.

Journal of Vector Borne Diseases
2010-09 | Journal article
Part of PMID: 20834086
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Anti-parasitic activity studies of some selected medicinal plants from Kenya

Journal of Ethnopharmacology
2009-06 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

In vitro anti-leishmanial activity of extracts of Warburgia ugandensis (Canellaceae), a Kenyan medicinal plant

Journal of Medicinal Plants Research
2009-02 | Journal article
Part of DOI: 10.5897/JMPR
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Phytochemical and anti-parasitic activity studies of selected Kenyan medicinal plants

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
2007-07-27 | Dissertation or Thesis
Source: Self-asserted source
Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu

Peer review (1 review for 1 publication/grant)

Review activity for International journal of tropical insect science. (1)