Elizabeth completed a PhD in the Department of Geography and Environmental Management at the University of Waterloo. She is one of the initial four recipients of the Queen Elizabeth Scholarships (QEScholar) at the University of Waterloo, and her doctoral work contributed to the Global Index of Well-being (GLOWING) project. Her broad research interests are on interventions for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), particularly schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminths, health inequalities in vulnerable populations, global health and water and sanitation.
Elizabeth holds a Master of Science degree in Medical Parasitology from Maseno University in Kenya and a BSc. in Biology from the University of Eastern Africa- Baraton, Kenya. Prior to her PhD studies, Elizabeth was a Research Officer with the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) in Kisumu, Kenya. Outside of her research, Elizabeth is an active member of the Rotary club of Kisumu where she engages in community service. She is also passionate about mentorship activities for young girls in her community. In her free time, Elizabeth loves to watch classic movies, as well as travel.
Elizabeth is currently conducting research as a Postdoctoral fellow with Karla Boluk in the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo.
Publications
- Meurs, L., Brienen, E., Mbow, M., Ochola, E. A., Mboup, S., Karanja, D. M., ... & van Lieshout, L. (2015). Is PCR the Next Reference Standard for the Diagnosis of Schistosoma in Stool? A Comparison with Microscopy in Senegal and Kenya. PLoS Negl Trop Dis, 9(7), e0003959.
- Corstjens, P. L., Nyakundi, R. K., de Dood, C. J., Kariuki, T. M., Ochola, E. A., Karanja, D. M., ... & van Dam, G. J. (2015). Improved sensitivity of the urine CAA lateral-flow assay for diagnosing active Schistosoma infections by using larger sample volumes. Parasites & Vectors, 8(1), 1-9.
- Worrell, C. M., Bartoces, M., Karanja, D. M., Ochola, E. A., Matete, D. O., Mwinzi, P. N., ... & Secor, W. E. (2015). Cost analysis of tests for the detection of Schistosoma mansoni infection in children in western Kenya. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 92(6), 1233-1239.
- Foo, K. T., Blackstock, A. J., Ochola, E. A., Matete, D. O., Mwinzi, P. N., Montgomery, S. P., ... & Secor, W. E. (2015). Evaluation of point-of-contact circulating cathodic antigen assays for the detection of Schistosoma mansoni infection in low-, moderate-, and high-prevalence schools in western Kenya. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 92(6), 1227-1232.
- Mwinzi, P. N. M., Kittur, N., Ochola, E., Cooper, P. J., Campbell, C. H., King, C. H., & Colley, D. G. (2015). Additional Evaluation of the Point-of-Contact Circulating Cathodic Antigen Assay for Schistosoma mansoni Infection. Frontiers in Public Health, 3, 48. http://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2015.00048
- Davis, S. M., Wiegand, R. E., Mulama, F., Kareko, E. I., Harris, R., Ochola, E., & Odiere, M. R. (2015). Morbidity Associated with Schistosomiasis Before and After Treatment in Young Children in Rusinga Island, Western Kenya. The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene, 92(5), 952-958.
- Won, K.Y., Abudho, B., Blackstock, A.J., Montgomery, S.P., Kennedy, E.D., Person, B., Mwinzi, P.N., Ochola, E.A., Foo, K.T., Hightower, A.W. and Karanja, D.M. (2014). Assessment of quality of life as a tool for measuring morbidity due to Schistosoma mansoni infection and the impact of treatment. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 90(2), 322-328.
- Muok, E. M., Simiyu, E. W., Ochola, E. A., Secor, W. E., Karanja, D. M., & Mwinzi, P. N. (2013). Association between CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts and fecal excretion of Schistosoma mansoni eggs in patients Coinfected with S. mansoni and human immunodeficiency virus before and after initiation of antiretroviral therapy. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 89(1), 42-45.