Health Sciences

Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Mycology

The Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Mycology provides advanced research training in medical mycology, focusing on fungal pathogens, antifungal resistance, and the epidemiology of fungal infections. Students learn advanced mycological techniques, molecular characterisation of fungi, antifungal susceptibility testing, and the clinical management of fungal diseases. The programme is designed for graduates in biomedical sciences seeking advanced research qualifications in medical mycology.

Students develop advanced competencies in fungal pathogenesis, laboratory diagnostics, molecular mycology, antifungal pharmacology, and public health mycology. The curriculum covers advanced mycological research methods and a doctoral thesis. Research skills are developed through independent laboratory research and field work.

Medical mycology research is critical for Kenya's health sector. Fungal infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly among immunocompromised individuals. Research institutions, hospitals, and public health agencies require trained medical mycologists. The programme addresses the demand for doctoral-level research training in medical mycology.

The programme combines coursework with independent research, laboratory work, and thesis writing. Students study advanced mycology concepts, design research projects, conduct laboratory research, and write a doctoral thesis. Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, laboratory sessions, and research supervision. The programme is offered through the KEMRI Graduate School in collaboration with JKUAT.

Graduates find employment as research scientists, university lecturers, clinical mycologists, or public health specialists in research institutions, universities, hospitals, and international health organisations. The doctoral degree supports careers in medical mycology research, education, and public health.

This programme is ideal for biomedical science graduates seeking advanced research qualifications in medical mycology. The programme provides advanced skills for fungal pathogen research, diagnostic development, and public health mycology.

Duration: 3-4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 367,200
Private, up to: Ksh 400,000
Job market: Low

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 5 students
Award: PhD

What you study

8 subjects

Medical Mycology
Fungal Pathogenesis
Molecular Mycology
Antifungal Resistance
Clinical Mycology
Diagnostic Mycology
Epidemiology of Fungal Infections
Thesis Research

Modules

5 in the programme

Advanced Medical Mycology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced study of pathogenic fungi, fungal taxonomy, pathogenesis mechanisms, and host-fungal interactions.
Molecular Mycology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Molecular techniques for fungal identification, genotyping, molecular epidemiology, and genome analysis of pathogenic fungi.
Antifungal Resistance and Pharmacology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Antifungal drug mechanisms, resistance pathways, susceptibility testing, and antifungal pharmacology.
Clinical and Diagnostic Mycology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Clinical presentation of fungal infections, diagnostic methods, laboratory identification, and management of fungal diseases.
Doctoral Thesis Research
Year 2Semester 112 creditsCore
Independent doctoral research on a medical mycology topic, demonstrating research competence and contributing to mycological science knowledge.

Specialisations

Fungal Pathogenesis
Focus on mechanisms of fungal virulence, host immune responses, and pathogen-host interactions.
Antifungal Resistance
Focus on antifungal drug resistance mechanisms, surveillance, and development of new antifungal strategies.
Molecular Epidemiology
Focus on molecular typing, outbreak investigation, and population genetics of pathogenic fungi.

A day as a student

A typical day combines laboratory research with academic writing and seminars. Students conduct fungal cultures, molecular characterisation, antifungal susceptibility testing, and data analysis. Laboratory work provides hands-on experience with diagnostic techniques. Seminars develop analytical and presentation skills. Research involves real clinical fungal isolates and public health challenges. The programme emphasises research competence, laboratory skills, and mycological knowledge.

The trade offs

In its favour

Medical mycology research is critical for managing fungal infections in immunocompromised patients.
Offered through KEMRI, Kenya's premier medical research institution, with strong laboratory infrastructure.
Growing global recognition of fungal infections as a significant public health threat.

Against it

The programme is offered at only one institution, limiting accessibility.
Career opportunities are primarily in research and clinical laboratories, which may have limited positions in Kenya.
Research funding for medical mycology can be challenging to secure.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 349 health sciences courses

Public241k to 367k

241k at JKUAT367k at Kenyatta University

Private200k to 400k

200k at Mount Kenya University400k at Aga Khan University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

JKUAT 241K/yr (ITROMID). KU 367K/yr (MLS). MKU 200K/yr. AKU unverified.

HELB loans are available for eligible Kenyan students. KEMRI may provide research funding and stipends for PhD researchers. International research grants may be available from WHO, CDC, and other health research organisations.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in doctoral programmes at chartered universities

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

Alternative entry: Master's degree in Medical Mycology, Microbiology, or related biomedical science from a recognised university. Relevant research experience may be required.

How you are assessed

3 components

Coursework and Seminars
Written examination30% of the mark
Coursework assessments, seminar presentations, and assignments evaluating understanding of medical mycology concepts.
Research Proposal
Project20% of the mark
A research proposal for the doctoral thesis, evaluated and approved by a supervisory committee.
Doctoral Thesis Defence
Project50% of the mark
A doctoral thesis demonstrating original research in medical mycology, defended before an examination panel.

Accreditation

The PhD is awarded by JKUAT, a chartered university accredited by CUE. KEMRI Graduate School collaborates with JKUAT for postgraduate training.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
The PhD is awarded by JKUAT, chartered by CUE. KEMRI Graduate School collaborates with JKUAT.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Research Scientist
Low demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 450,000
Conducts medical mycology research in research institutions, universities, or international health organisations, developing new diagnostics and treatments for fungal infections.
University Lecturer
Low demand
Teaches microbiology and mycology at universities, conducting research and supervising student projects.
Clinical Mycologist
Low demand
Works in hospital laboratories diagnosing fungal infections and advising on antifungal treatment strategies.
Public Health Specialist
Moderate demand
Advises public health agencies on fungal disease surveillance, prevention, and control programmes.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates find employment as research scientists, university lecturers, and clinical mycologists in research institutions, universities, hospitals, and international health organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Medical mycology is a narrow field with limited relevance.
Fungal infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality, especially among immunocompromised patients, making medical mycology critical for public health.
Mycology is only about studying mushrooms.
Medical mycology focuses on pathogenic fungi that cause diseases in humans, including Candida, Cryptococcus, and Aspergillus species.
Antifungal resistance is not a significant problem.
Antifungal resistance is an emerging global health threat, particularly in immunocompromised patients, requiring urgent research.
A PhD in medical mycology only leads to academic careers.
Graduates work in research institutions, hospitals, public health agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and international health organisations.