At Akinyi Lab, we investigate the ecological and physiological factors that drive variation in disease risk in wild populations of non-human primates. Our research sits at the intersection of disease ecology, primate behavior, and One Health, with a strong focus on zoonotic disease dynamics at human–wildlife interfaces.
General Research Interests
We are interested in identifying and understanding the sources of variation in disease risk across individuals, populations, and environments. Disease ecology provides a framework for examining how host traits, pathogen characteristics, and ecological contexts shape disease transmission over time and space. Through this approach, our work contributes to understanding both disease prevalence in wild primates and the emergence of zoonoses that impact human health.
One Health at Human–Nonhuman Primate Interfaces
Nonhuman primates (NHPs), as our close genetic relatives, share many pathogens with humans and are central to studies of zoonotic disease ecology. With increasing encroachment into NHP habitats in Kenya and beyond, human–primate interactions are intensifying, raising the risk of zoonotic transmission. Akinyi Lab conducts field-based studies at key human–NHP interface sites, including areas adjacent to Tsavo National Parks and Tana River Primate Reserve, to:
- Disseminate results from zoonotic epidemiological surveys.
- Identify and discuss strategies to reduce risky interactions between humans and NHPs.
Behavior and Health in Natural Primate Populations
Primate behavior is a major driver of disease dynamics. Social interactions, stress, and immune responses contribute to variation in infection risk and health outcomes. Our previous work examined the role of grooming behavior in yellow baboons, showing that increased grooming reduced tick presence and the likelihood of tick-borne infections. This project, conducted in collaboration with the Amboseli Baboon Research Project, provided one of the first demonstrations of zoonotic tick-borne infection prevalence in a wild primate population.
Ongoing and New Projects
Surveillance of Zoonoses in Understudied Primates
Wildlife disease surveillance remains scarce, particularly in developing countries. Our lab is working to identify and characterize circulating coronaviruses and their associated host receptors in wild NHP populations in Kenya. By developing pathogen screening tools and databases, this project will help monitor reservoirs of epidemic pathogens and provide critical data for preparedness in the event of future outbreaks.
Dynamics of Co-infection in Wild Primates
We are investigating how multiple parasite infections interact within hosts, including potential immune-mediated mechanisms of facilitation or inhibition. This work provides insights into the health consequences of co-infections in primates, with broader implications for understanding human disease dynamics.