Dr. Michael Okea is a Medical Doctor, Biomedical Scientist, Early Career Genomics Researcher, and a non-degree fellow on the Enrich Project. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences and a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) from Makerere University.

His research project is titled “Causal Impact of Fetal Hemoglobin in Modulation of the Risk of Non-Communicable Diseases in Sickle Cell Disease: A Mendelian Randomization Analysis.”

The study seeks to determine whether higher levels of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) protect people of African ancestry living with sickle cell disease (SCD) from major complications, particularly stroke and nephropathy. It employs a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach, which uses naturally inherited genetic variants associated with HbF levels to estimate the causal effect of HbF, analogous to a randomized clinical trial. The analysis will utilize genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics from African genomic resources, including genetic associations with HbF (exposure) and with stroke and nephropathy (outcomes). The findings are expected to provide robust causal evidence on the protective role of HbF against these complications and strengthen the rationale for HbF-inducing therapies, such as hydroxyurea, to prevent long-term organ damage in individuals with SCD.

Dr. Okea’s research is supervised and mentored by Prof. Segun Fatumo (Queen Mary University of London), Prof. Sarah Kiguli (Enrich Project, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Makerere University), Dr. Oyesola Ojewunmi (Queen Mary University of London), Dr. Christopher Kintu (Queen Mary University of London), and Dr. Munube Deogratius (Enrich Project, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Makerere University).