Jonathan Mnkai

Research Scientist

Tanzania National Institute for Medical Research-Mbeya Medical Research Centre (NIMR-MMRC), Tanzania

Email: jmnkai@nimr-mmrc.org

VALIDATE Role:

Network Affiliate

Research Keywords:

Neglected Tropical Diseases, HPV, and HIV

Biography:

Jonathan Lewis Mnkai earned his Master's degree in Molecular Medicine from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in Nairobi, Kenya. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology and Laboratory Science from Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Tanzania. Before earning this bachelor's degree, Jonathan held an Ordinary Diploma in Clinical Medicine from Lindi College of Health and Allied Sciences, formally known as Lindi Clinical Officers Training Centre, which allowed him to work as a clinician at the district hospital for almost 5 years From 2012 to date, Jonathan has been working as a Research Scientist at the National Institute for Medical Research at Mbeya Medical Research Centre (NIMR-MMRC) in the Molecular and Immunology laboratories. During his career, he has been involved in the molecular diagnosis of various pathogens and determining host immune interaction of the pathogens, such as soil-transmitted helminths, filarial nematodes, and human papillomavirus. His interests are focused on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and the role of immunologic and Molecular techniques in the diagnosis of NTDs, also HPV and cervical cancer, and other related diseases and conditions.

Related Websites:

Key Publications:

Mnkai J, M Ritter, L Maganga, L Maboko, W Olomi, P Clowes, J Minich, (2023), Increased HIV Incidence in Wuchereria bancrofti Microfilaria Positive Individuals in Tanzania. Pathogens 12 (3), 387
Mnkai J, TF Marandu, J Mhidze, A Urio, L Maganga, A Haule, G Kavishe,(2022) ,Step towards elimination of Wuchereria bancrofti in Southwest Tanzania 10 years after mass drug administration with Albendazole and Ivermectin. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 16 (7), e0010044.
Kroidl I, Marandu TF, Maganga L, Horn S, Urio A, Haule A, Mhidze J, Mnkai J, Mosoba M, Ntapara E, Chiwarengo N, Clowes P, Pitter B, Riess F, Habboub B, Saathoff E, Ritter M, Hoerauf A, Maboko L, Geldmacher C, Ntinginya NE, Hoelscher M, Chachage M. Impact of quasi-elimination of Wuchereria bancrofti on HIV incidence in southwest Tanzania: a 12-year prospective cohort study. Lancet HIV. 2025 May;12(5):e338-e345. doi: 10.1016/S2352-3018(25)00001-3. Epub 2025 Apr 9. PMID: 40220765.
Kroidl I, Chachage M, Mnkai J, Nsojo A, Berninghoff M, et al. (2019) Wuchereria bancrofti infection is linked to systemic activation of CD4 and CD8 T cells. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 13(8): e0007623
Mbuya W, K Held, RD Mcharo, A Haule, J Mhizde, J Mnkai, A Mahenge, (2021) Depletion of human papilloma virus E6-and E7-oncoproteinspecific T-cell responses in women living with HIV. Frontiers in Immunology, 447
Mcharo R, T Lennemann, J France, L Torres, M Gari, J Mnkai,W Mbuya,(2021), HPV type distribution in HIV positive and negative women with or without cervical dysplasia or cancer in East Africa. Frontiers in Oncology 11, 763717
Chachage M, AP Parikh, A Mahenge, E Bahemana, J Mnkai, W Mbuya, et al (2021) High-risk human papillomavirus genotype distribution among women living with and at risk for HIV in Africa. AIDS (London, England) 37 (4), 625
Mbuya W, Mcharo R, Mhizde J, Mnkai J, Mahenge A, et al. (2020) Depletion and activation of mucosal CD4 T cells in HIV infected women with HPV-associated lesions of the cervix uteri. PLOS ONE 15(10): e0240154.