Health Sciences

Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Parasitology

The Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Parasitology is a postgraduate research programme offered at the University of Nairobi and JKUAT in collaboration with KEMRI. The programme trains scholars to conduct advanced research on parasitic diseases including malaria, schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, and soil-transmitted helminths, contributing to disease control and public health in Kenya and tropical regions.

Students engage with advanced parasitology, molecular biology, immunology of parasitic infections, vector biology, drug discovery, and research methodology. The programme combines coursework with thesis research, requiring candidates to develop a research proposal, conduct independent laboratory and field research, and produce a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to medical parasitology.

Kenya bears a significant burden of parasitic diseases particularly malaria, schistosomiasis, and leishmaniasis affecting millions of people. The programme addresses national health priorities under the Kenya Health Policy Framework by training researchers who can contribute to disease control strategies, drug development, and diagnostic innovation.

Teaching methods include lectures, laboratory sessions, field research, and supervised thesis work. Students have access to research facilities at UoN’s UNITID, KEMRI laboratories, and JKUAT’s Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences.

Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, research scientists, parasitologists, and biomedical researchers in universities, KEMRI, international research institutions, and pharmaceutical companies. The programme provides advanced expertise for leadership roles in parasitology research and tropical disease control.

This programme is ideal for holders of a Master’s degree in medical parasitology, microbiology, biomedical sciences, or related health sciences who are committed to advancing knowledge in parasitic disease research.

Duration: 3-5 years
Public, up to: Ksh 464,000
Private, up to: Ksh 325,000
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 8 students
Award: PhD

What you study

10 subjects

Advanced Parasitology
Molecular Biology of Parasites
Immunology of Parasitic Infections
Vector Biology and Control
Drug Discovery and Resistance
Research Methodology
Diagnostic Parasitology
Thesis Research
Biostatistics
Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases

Modules

10 in the programme

Advanced Medical Parasitology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced study of protozoa, helminths, and arthropods of medical importance including taxonomy, life cycles, and pathogenesis
Molecular Biology of Parasites
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Molecular techniques for studying parasite genetics, genomics, and molecular mechanisms of drug resistance
Immunology of Parasitic Infections
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Immune responses to parasitic infections, immunopathology, and vaccine development for parasitic diseases
Vector Biology and Control
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Biology of disease vectors, vector-parasite interactions, and vector control strategies including insecticide resistance management
Drug Discovery and Resistance
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Antiparasitic drug development, mechanisms of drug resistance, and drug efficacy monitoring
Diagnostic Parasitology
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Advanced diagnostic methods for parasitic infections including molecular diagnostics, serology, and point-of-care tests
Research Methodology and Biostatistics
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Research design, ethical considerations, and statistical methods for parasitology research
Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Distribution, determinants, and control of major parasitic diseases in Kenya and tropical regions
Thesis Proposal Development
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Development and defence of a doctoral research proposal on a medical parasitology topic
Thesis Research and Writing
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Independent doctoral research culminating in a thesis defended before internal and external examiners

Specialisations

Medical Laboratory Science
Specialization in Medical Laboratory Science, preparing graduates for careers such as medical-laboratory-scientist.
Epidemiology of Tropical Diseases
Specialization in Epidemiology of Tropical Diseases, preparing graduates for careers such as epidemiologist.
Entomology and Vector Control
Specialization in Entomology and Vector Control, preparing graduates for careers such as entomologist.
Parasitology Research
Specialization in Parasitology Research, preparing graduates for careers such as parasitologist.
Clinical Research
Specialization in Clinical Research, preparing graduates for careers such as clinical-research-coordinator.
Biomedical Research
Specialization in Biomedical Research, preparing graduates for careers such as biomedical-scientist.

A day as a student

A typical day combines laboratory work on parasite cultures, molecular diagnostics, and microscopy with data analysis, literature review, and thesis writing. Students attend research seminars at KEMRI, present findings at departmental colloquia, and conduct field research in disease-endemic areas.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand for parasitology expertise in Kenya's fight against tropical diseases
Strong institutional links with KEMRI, WHO, and CDC
Opportunities for international collaboration and funding
Contributes directly to disease control and public health in Kenya

Against it

Laboratory research with pathogenic organisms requires strict biosafety protocols
Field research in disease-endemic areas may involve health risks
Research can be expensive requiring external grant funding
Research timelines can be long due to complex parasite life cycles

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 464k

241k at JKUAT464k at University of Nairobi

Private200k to 325k

200k at Mount Kenya University325k at Private universities

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). UoN 464K/yr (proxy). MKU 200K/yr. Private max unverified.

Students may access HELB postgraduate loans, WHO/TDR fellowships, DAAD scholarships, and NRF research grants for tropical disease research.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000
WHO/TDR Research Grant
Grant
DAAD Scholarship
Scholarship
NRF Research Grant
Grant

Scholarships

3 recorded

WHO/TDR Career Development Fellowship
FellowshipKenyan
Researchers from low- and middle-income countries working on tropical diseases
HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students enrolled in recognised universities
DAAD Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
African graduates meeting academic criteria for doctoral study

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

Master's Degree
MSc in Medical Parasitology, Microbiology, Biomedical Sciences, or related health science from a recognised university
Undergraduate qualification
Bachelor's degree in a biomedical or health-related field
Research capability
Evidence of research ability through publications, reports, or academic work

How you are assessed

4 components

Thesis Examination
Coursework100% of the mark
Laboratory Practicals
Coursework20% of the mark
Oral Viva Voce
Coursework100% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework30% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Graduates collaborate with KEMRI and international health research institutions.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Research Scientist (Parasitology)
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Conducts parasitology research at KEMRI, CDC, or international research institutions
Biomedical Research Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Conducts biomedical research on tropical diseases at research institutions or pharmaceutical companies
Parasitologist
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 200,000
Applies parasitological expertise in research institutions, diagnostic laboratories, or pharmaceutical companies
University Lecturer (Parasitology)
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 200,000
Teaches parasitology and conducts research in university medical or biomedical science departments

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as university lecturers, research scientists, parasitologists, and biomedical researchers in universities, KEMRI, WHO, CDC, and pharmaceutical companies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Parasitology is outdated since many diseases are now controlled
Parasitic diseases including malaria, schistosomiasis, and leishmaniasis remain major public health problems in Kenya, requiring ongoing research for drug development, resistance monitoring, and control strategies.
A PhD in parasitology has limited career prospects
There is strong demand for parasitologists at KEMRI, WHO, CDC, universities, and pharmaceutical companies developing drugs and diagnostics for tropical diseases.
Parasitology research is only for medical doctors
The programme accepts graduates with Master's degrees in biomedical sciences, microbiology, or related fields, not only medical doctors.
Parasite research is not relevant after malaria control efforts
Malaria remains endemic in many Kenyan regions, and other parasitic diseases are emerging or re-emerging, requiring continued research for effective control.