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Open-Source Tools for Global Infectious Disease Surveillance

The GENA Initiative builds powerful bioinformatics pipelines, AI models, and public health software-completely open source-to empower researchers and health systems worldwide.

Explore Our Strategic Pillars

Who We Are

The GENA Initiative advances global public health through the development of open-source computational tools and scientific platforms that democratize access to genomic and epidemiological intelligence. We also undertake high-impact open scientific research, including structural modeling of viral proteins to support vaccine effectiveness studies, investigation of pathogen evolution, pandemic preparedness, and biosecurity using publicly available datasets from GISAID, NCBI, and other global repositories.

Vision

To create a world where AI and computational tools drive rapid, data-informed public health decisions, enabling resilient and responsive health systems worldwide.

Mission

To design, implement, and deploy open-source pipelines and AI-driven public health software, making advanced analytics, pathogen genomics, and predictive modeling accessible and actionable for real-world health challenges.

Our Strategic Pillars

Open-Source Innovation

Developing open-source computational tools, AI solutions, and scientific platforms that democratize access to genomic, epidemiological, and bioinformatics intelligence, particularly for researchers and public health institutions in low- and middle-income countries.

Open Science & Discovery

Conducting high-impact, reproducible scientific research using publicly available datasets (e.g., GISAID and NCBI) to investigate pathogen evolution, viral genomics, structural biology, vaccine effectiveness, and emerging infectious diseases.

Global Health Security & Preparedness

Translating genomic and epidemiological insights into actionable evidence that strengthens pandemic preparedness, biosecurity, outbreak response, and public health decision-making through collaborative, data-driven approaches.

Training & Capacity Building

Strengthen global scientific capacity by providing accessible training, mentorship, and educational programs in genomics, bioinformatics, computational biology, AI, and data science. Foster a skilled workforce through workshops, fellowships, open educational resources, and collaborative learning networks that empower researchers and public health professionals, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Our Partners

Lakehub Foundation

ENVITROS.UK

Gates foundation

National University of Singapore

Open-Source Resources

GENA Open-Source Hub

GitHub • Free • Reproducible • Ready to Deploy

Access our complete collection of bioinformatics pipelines, AI models for disease prediction, metagenomics workflows, and public health dashboards.

Visit Our GitHub Repository

Our Team

Meet the people driving innovation in bioinformatics, artificial intelligence, data science, and public health.

Elekiah Anguko

Elekiah Anguko

Molecular Virology, Genomics, Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning for Infectious Diseases

Elekiah Anguko is a Kenyan Research Scientist specializing in Molecular Virology, Genomics, Artificial Intelligence, and Computational Biology.

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Aggrey Ongweso

Aggrey Ongweso

Data Analytics, Software Development, Research Data Management, Visualization & Digital Health

Aggrey Ongweso is a results-oriented data analyst, research data specialist, and software developer working at the intersection of data, public health research, technology, and software engineering.

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Shahid Rowles-Khalid

Shahid Rowles-Khalid

Computational Virologist • Genomic Scientist • Neural Machine Learning Engineer • GenAI Engineer

Shahid Rowles-Khalid is a British research scientist specialising in virology, genomics, artificial intelligence, and global public health, with a focus on applying advanced computational and AI-driven approaches to scientific and health challenges in collaboration with global partners, including the United Nations.

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Collaborate With Us

We welcome researchers, developers, institutions, and partners to work with us in advancing AI, bioinformatics, and public health solutions.

Research Collaboration

Partner on studies, data analysis, and publications.

Technical Development

Build tools, platforms, and AI-powered systems together.

Institutional Partnerships

Work with organizations to scale impact and innovation.