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Research

Our research work integrates public health, environmental science, and community knowledge to understand complex community challenges, testing practical interventions, and generating evidence that informs action at local, national, and global levels to address interconnected issues such as environmental health risks, climate variability, waste management, and vector-borne diseases. Research at HERI is designed not only to produce data, but to translate evidence into programs, policies, and practices that improve human and environmental well-being.

Research Leads & Portfolio

Professor Desiree LaBeaud

Professor of Pediatrics (Infectious Diseases) Stanford University School of Medicine, USA.Dr. Angelle LaBeaud is an infectious disease physician and epidemiologist dedicated to improving health outcomes in vulnerable communities through research, education, and environmental action. Her work focuses on arboviruses such as dengue, chikungunya, and Rift Valley fever, exploring how climate, ecology, and socio-economic factors shape disease patterns.She leads research teams across Kenya and internationally, combining field studies, laboratory science, and community engagement to develop practical, sustainable interventions. Dr. LaBeaud’s work also examines the health impacts of climate change and plastic pollution, emphasizing solutions that integrate environmental health with disease prevention.Prof. LaBeaud mentors global health leaders and advances research at the intersection of infectious disease, environment, and community well-being.

See Research Portfolio here

Professor Francis Mutuku

Professor, Environment & Health Sciences. Technical University of Mombasa, KenyaProf. Francis Mutuku is a leading researcher in vector-borne diseases and environmental health, with extensive experience addressing public health challenges in coastal Kenya and beyond. His work focuses on understanding mosquito ecology, disease transmission dynamics, and the intersection of environment and health.With over 120 peer-reviewed publications and thousands of citations, Prof. Mutuku’s research has informed strategies to combat malaria, dengue, Rift Valley fever, and other vector-borne diseases. He integrates field studies, ecological research, and community-based approaches for disease prevention and environmental stewardship.Prof. Mutuku is also passionate about mentorship, working with students, researchers, and community practitioners to build local capacity in health and environmental sciences.

See research PORTFOLIO HERE

Specifically, our research aims to:

  • Inform community-centered interventions by identifying health and environmental risks, behavioral patterns, and locally appropriate solutions that can be translated into programs and policy.
  • Strengthen policy and practice through evidence that supports effective public health, environmental management, and climate-responsive strategies.
  • Advance scientific knowledge at the intersection of health, environment, and climate, with a focus on vulnerable communities.
  • Support research training and mentorship through structured internships and fellowships hosted within ongoing research projects, enabling hands-on learning in data collection, analysis, ethics, and dissemination.
  • Nurture emerging researchers at PhD, Master’s, and early-career Bachelor’s levels by providing supervision support, field placements, collaborative research opportunities, and exposure to interdisciplinary research environments.
  • Build long-term research capacity by strengthening local institutions, fostering ethical and participatory research practices, and supporting career pathways in research and evidence-based practice.
  • Promote learning, accountability, and knowledge sharing through monitoring, evaluation, publications, policy briefs, and open dissemination of research findings via the HERI Hub.

Our Research Priority areas include:

  • Environmental and public health, examining how sanitation, waste management, water quality, and ecosystem conditions influence health outcomes.
  • Vector-borne and climate-sensitive diseases, focusing on the ecological, climatic, and social drivers of disease transmission and prevention.
  • Organic waste management and circular economy solutions that reduce environmental pollution, improve public health, and support sustainable livelihoods.
  • Climate change, resilience, and adaptation, with emphasis on community-level responses to climate-related health and environmental risks.
  • Community knowledge and sustainability practices, exploring behaviors and local knowledge to inform effective and culturally appropriate interventions.
  • Policy and evidence translation, converting research findings into actionable insights, tools, and models that support decision-making.

Our research is conducted through:

  • Ethical approval and informed consent processes that ensure participants clearly understand the purpose, methods, risks, and benefits of research before taking part. Participation is voluntary and based on informed decision-making.
  • Protection of participant privacy and data, including responsible data collection, secure storage, controlled access, and adherence to data protection principles throughout the research lifecycle.
  • Community engagement and feedback mechanisms that involve communities not only as participants but as partners, ensuring findings are shared, discussed, and used to inform local action and learning.
  • Alignment with national and international research standards, including ethical guidelines governing human subjects research, public health studies, and environmental research.