Senior Research Fellow – Animal Biotechnology Group, Institute For Biotechnology Research (IBR), Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Nairobi, Kenya.

Dr Sheila Ommeh is a molecular geneticist and her research focus is on understanding biodiversity in terms of the origins, domestication and conservation of indigenous livestock and domesticates in developing countries. She also focuses on their conservation using modern genetic tools and sustainable use. She is also interested in studying human migrations into Africa through the domestication process. Dr Ommeh also has interests in wildlife conservation genetics especially for endangered species as well as in emerging and re-emerging pathogens causing diseases that are a threat to humans, livestock and wildlife.

The focus of her laboratory is to conduct research using cutting-edge Animal Biotechnology tools to understand the genetic diversity of micro-livestock and emerging livestock species for genetic improvement. To understand the phylo-geography of endangered animal species for conservation purposes and to use the one-health approach to study zoonoses of public health importance.