Academia
Research, training, and computational biology practice
Ruth's current research applies statistical genetics and bioinformatics to understand the Human Leukocyte Antigen region and its association with complex immune traits across large biobank and population datasets.
Reproducible scientific pipelines/workflows
Multi-ancestry genetic studies and inclusive scientific capacity
Publications
Publications and research outputs
Full citations for Ruth's publications, software, and manuscripts in progress.
Manuscript in preparationIn preparation
HLA inference, diversity and selection analysis in Mexico
Nanjala R, Torres J, Baca P, Tapia-Conyer R, Kuri PA, Alegre-Diaz J, Berumen J, Luo Y. Manuscript in preparation.
Manuscript in preparation examining HLA inference, diversity, and selection analysis in Mexico.
HLADiversitySelection
Manuscript in preparationIn preparation
Quantifying HLA diversity and phenome-wide HLA association landscape of 100,000 China Kadoorie Biobank participants
Nanjala R, Ng E, Morris S, Millwood IY, Butler-Laporte G, Yang K, Li Y, Yao P, Mentzer AJ, Todd JA, Walters RG, Luo Y. Manuscript in preparation.
Manuscript in preparation quantifying HLA diversity and HLA association patterns in a large biobank cohort.
HLABiobankPhenome-wide Association
HLA2026
An accurate genetic colocalisation method for the HLA locus
Butler-Laporte G, Lu T, Morris S, Zhang W, Band G, Hamilton F, Chong A, Lin K, Nanjala R, Richards JB, Lee MH, Yang L, Yao P, Li L, Chen Z, Luo Y, Millwood IY, Walters RG, Mentzer AJ. HLA. 2026;107(5):e70759. doi:10.1111/tan.70759.
A genetics-focused publication contributing methods for more accurate analysis of the HLA locus.
HLAStatistical GeneticsColocalisation
DOI / external linkScientific Reports2026
rhinotypeR enables reproducible rhinovirus genotype assignment from VP4/2 sequences
Luka MM, Nanjala R, Rashed WM, et al.. Sci Rep. 2026;16:6149. doi:10.1038/s41598-026-37050-8.
A reproducible approach for assigning rhinovirus genotypes from sequence data.
RhinovirusBioinformaticsGenomics
DOI / external linkBioconductor2026
Rhinovirus genotyping
rhinotypeR. Bioconductor. Available from: https://bioconductor.org/packages/rhinotypeR. doi:10.18129/B9.bioc.rhinotypeR.
A software package supporting reproducible rhinovirus genotype assignment workflows.
R PackageBioinformaticsReproducible Workflows
DOI / external linkDiabetes2026
Development and validation of a type 1 diabetes multi-ancestry polygenic score
Deutsch AJ, Bell AS, Michalek DA, Burkholder AB, Nam S, Kreienkamp RJ, Sharp SA, Huerta-Chagoya A, Mandla R, Nanjala R, Luo Y, Oram RA, Florez JC, Onengut-Gumuscu S, Rich SS, Ng MCY, Motsinger-Reif AA, Manning AK, Mercader J, Udler MS. Diabetes. 2026;75(1):205-214. doi:10.2337/db25-0772.
A multi-ancestry polygenic score study supporting more inclusive genetic risk prediction.
DiabetesPolygenic RiskMulti-Ancestry
DOI / external linkPLOS ONE2023
Assessing HLA imputation accuracy in a West African population
Nanjala R, Mbiyavanga M, Hashim S, de Villiers S, Mulder N. PLoS One. 2023;18(9):e0291437. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0291437.
An evaluation of HLA imputation accuracy in a West African population context.
HLAWest AfricaImputation
DOI / external linkPLOS Computational Biology2023
A mentorship and incubation program using project-based learning to build a professional bioinformatics pipeline in Kenya
Nanjala R, Nyasimi F, Masiga D, Kibet CK. PLoS Comput Biol. 2023;19(3):e1010904. doi:10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010904.
A project-based learning and mentorship model for strengthening bioinformatics capacity in Kenya.
MentorshipBioinformaticsCapacity Building
DOI / external link
Research in practice
Rigour, collaboration, and learning in motion
From computational analysis to teaching and collaborative research, Ruth's academic practice is both technically grounded and deeply people-centred.
Courses & workshops developed
2026
Cancer Innovation & Future Leaders Conference Science Communication Workshop
Cancer Innovation & Future Leaders Conference
Workshop design and delivery for researchers communicating cancer research, innovation, and future leadership.
Course link2026
CoRE Genomics for Health in Africa Science Communication Workshop
CoRE Genomics for Health in Africa
Science communication workshop supporting clear, confident, and meaningful research communication.
Course link2026
Public engagement workshop on sickle cell disease in African communities
Public engagement programme
Workshop developed to support accessible public engagement around sickle cell disease and African communities.
March 2023-present
Bioinformatics for Biologists II
Wellcome Connecting Science Learning and Training
Course development and training for biologists learning to analyse and interpret genomics datasets.
Course linkProgrammes managed
October 2021-October 2022
Bioinformatics Incubation Program
International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology, Kenya
Led curriculum development, tutor coordination, intern recruitment, technical training, and project assignment for a bioinformatics internship programme.
February 2024-present
AfOx Scholarship Programme Support
Africa Oxford Initiative, University of Oxford
Supports scholar programming, events, communications, alumni engagement, and student facilitation.
Training & workshops
2025
Integrated Cancer Research Foundation Science Communication Workshop
Integrated Cancer Research Foundation
Science communication workshop supporting researchers with public-facing clarity and engagement.
Course linkWorkshop
Genetic analysis via the DNA Nexus platform
Mexico City Prospective Study workshop
Training session on genetic analysis using the DNA Nexus platform for research workflows.
Workshop
Package management with workflows and containers
Open Life Science
Taught package management using workflows and containers for open, reproducible science.
Teaching assistant
Programming with Bash and R
MSc Genomic Medicine, University of Oxford
Teaching assistant support for programming with Bash and R in genomic medicine training.
Teaching
Package management with Nextflow
DPhil Genomic Medicine and Statistics, University of Oxford
Taught package management with Nextflow for doctoral-level genomic medicine and statistics learners.
August 2021-present
Carpentries Instructor
The Carpentries
Instruction in reproducible computational skills for learners across scientific disciplines.
2022
Eastern Africa Network for Bioinformatics Training
EANBiT Residential Training Course and ICIPE courses
Bioinformatics instruction and hands-on training for regional capacity building.
Curriculum vitae
Download Ruth's CV
Ruth's CV brings together her academic work, publications, training, leadership, public engagement, and wider professional experience.