Dr. Idle Farah, born in Wajir County in the vast Northern arid lands of Kenya has over 27 years’ experience in Public Service at Senior Management levels. Between 2003 and 2014, Dr. Farah held the position of Director General of the National Museums of Kenya, an eminent and worldrenowned state research and academic institution responsible for the cultural and natural heritage of Kenya through actions of preservation, research and public education. After eleven years at the helm, NMK is now an ISO 9001:2008 Certified, employing over one thousand staff members, with a turnover budget of over two (2) billion shillings per annum and with an operational Endowment Fund. Dr. Farah has also served as a Director of the Institute of Primate Research, a biomedical research institute that is one of the many components of the National Museums of Kenya.

Dr. Farah has served membership in several national and international platforms including the
Commission for Higher Education (now Commission for University Education), the International Board for the Centre for Heritage Development in Africa, the Kenya National Commission to UNESCO and the National Task Force to develop Guidelines on the use and care for laboratory animals in research.

Dr. Farah has portrayed his astute Managerial Skills by successfully steering the transformation of the National Museums of Kenya and significantly contributing to the reforms in the Higher Education sector in Kenya. As Chairman of the University Council, Dr. Farah has overseen the smooth transition of the University of Nairobi Management leadership from long serving Vice Chancellor, Prof. George Magoha to Prof. Peter M. Mbithi.

Dr. Farah is a veterinarian with post graduate specialization in comparative medicine. His research interests are in veterinary medicine with emphasis on comparative medicine, pathology and pathogenesis as regards natural infectious diseases as well as disease models in old world nonhuman primates. He is an expert in primate pathology and disease diagnostics. He is an Alumni of University of Nairobi (BVM) and Uppsala University, Sweden (PhD) He has been involved in several pioneering studies investigating the suitability of non-human primates as models for human diseases of importance in Africa. Dr. Farah is a proponent of laboratory animal welfare and ethical use of animals in research and has actively participated in many fora in this topical area. Dr. Farah is the recipient of several high level awards and funding from a number of funding agencies including the National Institute of Health USA), World Health Organization, the European Union, USAID, Consortium for National Health Research (Kenya) and National Council of Science and Technology, among others. He is well published authoring over thirty publications in peer reviewed journals, book Chapters and co-supervised a number of postgraduate students.

1. Ph. D. (Dr.Med.Sc) in Comparative Medicine, attained in the year 2000 at the Faculty of Medicine, Uppsala University, Sweden.

Title of Dissertation “Immunopathogenesis of Schistosomiasis mansoni: Immunity and Pathology in a Primary and a Secondary Infection following Chemotherapy in the Mouse and the Baboon Model.

1. Nyakundi RK, Nyamongo O, Maamun J, Akinyi M, Mulei I, Farah IO, Blankenship D,
Grimberg B, Hau J, Malhotra I, Ozwara H, King CL, Kariuki TM.Protective Effect of Chronic Schistosomiasis in Baboons Coinfected with Schistosoma mansoni and Plasmodium knowlesi. Infect Immun. 2016 Apr 22;84(5):1320-30. doi:
10.1128/IAI.00490-15.

2. Obiero JA, Waititu KK, Mulei I, Farah IO, Jaoko W, Mwethera PG.Baboon vaginal microbial flora. J Med Primatol. 2016 Jun;45(3):147-55. doi: 10.1111/jmp.12217. Epub 2016 May 20.PMID:27198467

3. Nyakundi RK, Nyamongo O, Maamun J, Akinyi M, Mulei I, Farah IO, Blankenship D, Grimberg B, Hau J, Malhotra I, Ozwara H, King CL, Kariuki TM Protective Effect of Chronic Schistosomiasis in Baboons Coinfected with Schistosoma mansoni and
Plasmodium knowlesi. Infect Immun. 2016 Apr 22;84(5):1320-30. doi:
10.1128/IAI.00490-15. Print 2016 May

4. Carvalho-Queiroz C, Nyakundi R, Ogongo P, Rikoi H, Egilmez NK, Farah IO, Kariuki TM, LoVerde PT. Protective Potential of Antioxidant Enzymes as Vaccines for Schistosomiasis in a Non-Human Primate Model.Front Immunol. 2015 Jun 2;6:273. doi:
10.3389/fimmu.2015.00273. eCollection 2015

5. Onditi FI, Nyamongo OW, Omwandho CO, Maina NW, Maloba F, Farah IO, King CL, Moore JM, Ozwara HS.Parasite accumulation in placenta of non-immune baboons during
Plasmodium knowlesi infection. Malar J. 2015 Mar 18;14:118. doi: 10.1186/s12936015-0631-5

6. Dancet EA, Brännström M, Brasky K, Chai D, Chan AW, Conn PM, Else J, Falconer H, Fazleabas AT, Farah IO, Goddeeris BM, Golos TG, Hau J, Hearn JP, Kairiuki TM,
Kyama CM, Lebovic DI, Mwenda JM, Ndung'u J, Nyachieo A, Parker J, Slayden OD,
Stouffer RL, Strauss JF, Taylor HS, Vanderpoel S, Westergaard JG, Zelinski M,
D'Hooghe: The Role of Scientists and Clinicians in Raising Public Support for Animal Research in Reproductive Biology and Medicine. TM. Biol Reprod. 2012 Dec 19. [Epub ahead of print]

7. Ngotho M, Kagira JM, Kariuki C, Maina N, Thuita JK, Mwangangi DM, Farah IO, Hau Influence of trypanocidal therapy on the haematology of vervet monkeys experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. J. Acta Trop. 2011 Jul;119(1):14-8. doi:
10.1016/j.actatropica.2011.02.013. Epub 2011 Mar 21.

8. Mburu N, Obiero JA, Waititu K, Mwaura BN, Orawo JO, Farah IO and Mwethera P (2009). Safety Studies of a recently developed microbicidal contraceptive gel (Unipron) in female baboons (Papio anubis)
Afr J Repro Health 13(4) 95-104

9. Langoi DL, Mwethera PG, Farah IO and Carlson HE (2009), Reversal of Ketamine/Xylazine combination anesthesia by atipemazole in olive baboons
J Med. Primatol Sep 4 (Electronic Version on Pubmed)

10. Ngotho M, Kagira JM, Jensen HE, Farah IO and Hau J. (2009) Immnospecific immunoglobulins and IL-10 as markers for T. b. rhodesiense late stage disease in experimentally infected vervet monkeys.
Trop Med Int Health 14(7) 736-47

11. Obiero JA, Mburu MN, Ndungu BM, Waititu KK, Mulei I, Farah IO, Mwethera PG (2008) Unipron is a fully effective non-hormonal reversible contraceptive in the baboon model (Papio anubis) J of Repr and contraception

12. Kariuki TM, Farah IO, Wilson RA and Coulson PS (2008). Antibody elicited by secretions from schistosomes cercariae and eggs are predominantly against glycan epitopes.
Parasitol Immnol 30:554-62

13. Farah IO, Langoi DL, Nyaundi JK, Hau J (2007) Schistosome induced pathology is exacerbated and Th2 polarization is enhanced during pregnancy
In Vivo 21(4):599-602

14. Wilson RA, van Dam GJ, Kariuki TM, Farah IO, Deelder AM and Coulson PS, (2006) The detection limit for estimates of infection intensity in Schistosmiasis mansoni established by a study of non human primates
Int J Parasitol 36(12)1241-4

15. Ngotho M, Maina N, Kagiri J, Royo F, Farah IO and Hau J (2006) IL-10 is upregulated in early and transitional stages in vervet monkeys experimentally infected with T. b. rhodeseinse
Parasitol Int 55(4):243-8

16. Kariulki TM, van Dam GJ, Deelder AM, Farah IO, Yole DS, Wilson RA and Coulsson PS (2006). Previous or ongoing schistosome infections do not compromise the efficacy of the attenuated cercarial vaccine
Infection and Immunity 74(7):3979-86

17. Kariuki TM and Farah IO. (2005) Resistance to reinfection after exposure to normal and attenuated schistosome parasites in the baboon model.
Parasite Immunology 27:281-8

18. Kariuki TM, Farah IO, Yole DS, Mwenda JM, van Dam GJ, Deelder AM, Wilson RA and Coulson PS (2004). Parameters of the Attenuated Schistosome Vaccine Evaluated in the Olive Baboon.
Infection and Immunity 72(9):5526-5529

19. Carlsson HE, Schapiro SJ, Farah IO and Hau J (2004). Use of Primates in Research: A Global Overview.
American Journal of Primatology 63:225-237

20. Ozwara HS, Langermans JM, Maamun J, Farah IO, Yole DS, Mwenda JM, Weiler H and Thomas AW (2003). Experimental Infection of the Olive Baboon (Papio anubis) with Plasmodium Knowlesi: Severe Disease accompanied by Cerebral Involvement. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 69(2):188-194

21. Farah IO, Borjesson A, Kariuki TM, Yole DS, Suleman M, Hau J and Carlsson HE, (2003). Morbidity and Immune Response to Natural Schistosomiasis in Baboons (Papio anubis)
Parasitology Research 91(4): 344-248

22. Farah IO, Andersson E, Mwenda J, Wango E, and Hau J, (2001)
Schistosomiasis (mansoni) has a negative impact on serum levels of estradiol, progesterone and prolactin in the female baboon (Papio Cynocephalus anubis) Scandinavian Journal of Laboratory Animal Science 28:193-198

23. Farah IO, Kariuki TM, King CL and Hau J. (2001)
An overview of animal models in experimental schistosomiasis and refinements in the use of non-human primates. Laboratory Animals 35:205-211

24. Farah IO, Mola PW, Kariuki TM, Nyindo M, Blanton RE and King CL (2000) Repeated infection induces peri-portal fibrosis in Schistosoma mansoni infected baboons: Role for TGF beta and IL-4.
Journal of Immunology, 164:5337-5343

25. Suleman MA, Wango EO, Farah IO and Hau J (2000). Adrenal Cortex and Stomach Lesions associated with Stress in Wild Male African Green Monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) in the post capture period.
Journal of Medical Primatology 29(5): 338-342.

26. Farah IO, Johansson M, Lovegren-Bengston K and Hau J. (2000)
The pattern of primary cercarial exposure determines whether a secondary infection postchemotherapy elicits a Th1 or Th2-associated immune response.
Scandinavian Journal of Immunology 51:237-243

27. Farah IO, Nyindo M, King CL and Hau J. (2000) Hepatic granulomatous
Responses to Schistosoma mansoni infection in BALB/c mice and Olive baboons (Papio anubis)
Journal of Comparative Pathology 123(1):7-14

28. Hau J, Farah IO, Carlsson HE, Hagelin J. (2000) Opponents’ statement: Non-human primates must remain accessible for vital biomedical research. Progress in the Reduction, Refinement and Replacement of Animal Experimentation. Eds. Balls M, van Zeller AM and Halder ME. 2000, pp. 1593-1600.

29. Mola PW, Farah IO, Kariuki TM, Nyindo M, Blanton RE, King CL (1999) Cytokine control of the granulomatous response in Schistosoma mansoni-infected baboons: role of exposure and treatment.
Infection and Immunity. 1999 Dec;67(12):6565-71.

30. Nyindo M, Farah IO. (1999) The baboon as a non-human primate model of human schistosome infection.
Parasitology Today. 1999 Dec;15(12):478-82. Review.

31. Nyindo M, Kariuki TM, Mola PW, Farah IO, Elson L, Blanton RE, King CL. (1999) Role of adult worm antigen-specific immunoglobulin E in acquired immunity to Schistosoma mansoni infection in baboons.
Infection and Immunity. 1999 Feb;67(2):636-42.

32. Njenga MN, Farah IO, Muchemi GK, Nyindo M. (1998) Peri-portal fibrosis of the liver due to natural or experimental infection with Schistosoma mansoni occurs in the Kenyan baboon.
Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology 1998 Mar;92(2):187-93.

33. Muriuki SM, Farah IO, Kagwiria RM, Chai DC, Njamunge G, Suleman M, (1997) The presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in stools of clinically diarrhoeic and normal nonhuman primates in Kenya.
Veterinary Parasitology 1997 Oct;72(2):141-7.

34. Farah IO, Nyindo M, Suleman MA, Nyaundi J, Kariuki TM, Blanton RE, (1997) Elson LH, King CL. Schistosoma mansoni: development and modulation of the granuloma after single or multiple exposures in the baboon (Papio c. anubis). Experimental Parasitology 1997 Jun;86(2):93-101.

35. Farah IO, Nyindo M. (1997) Acute schistosomiasis mansoni in the baboon Papio anubis gives rise to goblet-cell hyperplasia and villus atrophy that are modulated by an irradiated cercarial vaccine.
Parasitology Research 1997;83(3):281-4.


36. Farah IO, Nyindo M. (1996) Schistosoma mansoni induces in the Kenyan baboon a novel intestinal pathology that is manifestly modulated by an irradiated cercarial vaccine. Journal of Parasitology 1996 Aug;82(4):601-7.

37. Nyindo M, Borus PK, Farah IO, Oguya FO, Makawiti DW. (1995)
Schistosoma mansoni in the baboon: modulation of pathology after vaccination with polyclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies.
Scandinavian Journal of Immunology 1995 Dec;42(6):637-43.

38. Soisson LA, Reid GD, Farah IO, Nyindo M, Strand M. (1993)
Protective immunity in baboons vaccinated with a recombinant antigen or radiation-attenuated cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni is antibody-dependent. Journal of Immunology 1993 Nov 1;151(9):4782-9.

39. D'Hooghe TM, Bambra CS, Farah IO, Raeymaekers BM, Koninckx PR.(1993) High intraabdominal pressure: effects on clinical parameters and lung pathology in baboons (Papio cynocephalus and Papio anubis).
American Journal of Obstetrics Gynecology 1993 Nov;169(5):1352-6.

40. Farah IO, Chege GK, Riday AM. (1993)
Acute gastric dilatation in two black and white colobus monkeys.
Journal Medical Primatology 1993 Jun;22(4):278-9.