Our Core Values
Global Genomic Diversity
We study genetic variation and disease architecture across populations worldwide with specific expertise in Africa, African diaspora populations, and multi-ancestry analyses.
Genomic Epidemiology & Population Health
We conduct large-scale GWAS, sequencing, fine mapping, and multi-omics integration to understand complex diseases across different ancestries.
Capacity Building & Training
Training workshops, MSc/PhD mentorship, postdoctoral development, bioinformatics and data science education, leadership and career development programmes. We support early-career scientists across Africa, the UK, and globally.
Building Data Resources & Biobanks
We contribute to major genomic infrastructures, including population cohorts, biobanks, and open-access datasets that support global research.
Key disease areas
Chronic Kidney Disease
We examine the genetic and environmental factors that influence the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in African populations. We aim to characterise the genetic architecture of eGFR, including heritability, putative causal variants, and gene–environment interactions, and to compare these insights with findings from other global populations. By examining genetic correlations across ancestries and leveraging polygenic risk scores, we will assess whether individuals at high genetic risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) can be identified in African settings. We also investigate causal relationships between cardiometabolic traits and CKD, providing insights relevant to risk prediction and precision medicine in Africa.
Our group co-directs the KidneyGenAfrica partnership, a pan-African initiative using large-scale genomics to uncover genetic risk factors for CKD and improve predictive tools in diverse African groups, who have been underrepresented in studies. Our work includes the first genome-wide study of kidney function in Africans.
Psychiatric Genetics
We research how genes contribute to psychiatric disorders including major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorders, among people of African ancestry, who remain under-represented in genetic research. While most psychiatric genetic studies have focused on Europeans, our research integrates genetic data from diverse African populations and
Compares results with larger global datasets. We look for genetic variants associated with psychiatric disorders, check if known risk scores apply across populations, explore causal genetic links and transferability of genetic risk and use Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for prediction and stratification. Through this research focus area we aim to reveal biological causes and suggest new targets for treatment of psychiatric disorders.
Cardiometabolic Diseases
Cardiometabolic diseases are increasing at an alarming rate and are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Africa. Our work is centered on uncovering the genetic architecture of cardiometabolic diseases and traits in individuals of African ancestry, who, despite possessing the highest genetic diversity in the world, remain underrepresented in genetic research. We have led and contributed to large-scale genetic studies across Africa, identifying novel loci associated with cardiometabolic diseases. Additionally, we have developed and evaluated the performance and transferability of polygenic scores within continental Africa and across diverse ancestry populations. Our goal is to integrate these polygenic scores with other omics data to enhance disease risk prediction, inform prevention strategies, and advance equitable precision medicine for cardiometabolic diseases in individuals of African ancestry.
Our Team
Our team is collaborative, innovative, and purpose-driven, combining diverse expertise to deliver meaningful impact and lead initiatives successfully together globally.
Key Collaborations
Our Genomic Diversity team collaborates across sectors to advance inclusive, genomic research and equitable outcomes.