Year of Honorary Fellowship, 2026
Rosemary Sang is a leading medical entomologist and arbovirologist recognised internationally for her work on arbovirus surveillance, vector-borne disease ecology and outbreak response across Africa. Dr Sang is a Principal Research Scientist in the Arbovirology/VHF Unit at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and also serves as a consultant scientist at International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe). Her research focuses on improving understanding of virus, vector and environmental interactions that influence disease transmission and maintenance, helping strengthen preparedness and response to emerging infectious diseases.
With a PhD in Medical Entomology and an MSc in Medical Virology, Dr Sang has played a central role in arbovirus surveillance and outbreak investigations in support of the Kenyan Ministry of Public Health and the World Health Organization. She has contributed to several WHO Expert Committees, including those focused on International Health Regulations and Rift Valley fever, helping guide international public health policy and disease management strategies.
Dr Sang coordinated the Arbovirus Incidence and Diversity (AVID) Project led by icipe and has conducted extensive surveillance programmes across Kenya to assess arbovirus transmission risks in diverse populations and environments. Her work has significantly advanced understanding of mosquito-borne diseases and vector ecology in the region, and she has published extensively in the field of medical entomology and virology.
In recognition of her scientific contributions, Dr Sang was elected a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences in 2014. Alongside her research and leadership, she is a dedicated mentor who has supported and supervised numerous MSc, PhD and postdoctoral researchers, helping develop the next generation of scientists working in public health entomology and infectious disease research.
Through her work, Dr Sang continues to make major contributions to global understanding of vector-borne diseases, public health preparedness and the critical role of entomology in safeguarding human health.
