Kiemde Francois

Kiemde Francois is a Researcher at the National Centre for Scientific and Technological Research (CNRST) in Burkina Faso, where he serves as head of the Sigle field station at the Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro (IRSS-CRUN). With a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Amsterdam, he specializes in malaria research and diagnostic development for febrile illnesses in children across sub-Saharan Africa.

His educational background includes:

• PhD in Biomedical Sciences, University of Amsterdam, 2019
• Master 2 in Applied Biology/Biological System Modelization, University of Bobo-Dioulasso, 2010
• Master 1 in Biochemistry/Applied Microbiology, University of Ouagadougou, 2006
• Bachelor in Biochemistry/General Microbiology, University of Ouagadougou, 2005

Dr. Francois's research centers on malaria immunology—particularly natural killer cell responses to Plasmodium falciparum during pregnancy—and the development of rapid diagnostic algorithms for undifferentiated fevers in pediatric populations. His work integrates field epidemiology with laboratory immunology to improve fever case management in resource-limited settings, directly impacting clinical protocols for malaria and non-malarial febrile illnesses.

His scientific recognition includes:

• Discovery Award from NESTA Foundation (2017) for RAPDIF: a rapid diagnostic test for undifferentiated fevers

He leads significant research initiatives as Principal Investigator for ISID-funded studies on NK cell cytotoxicity and EDCTP's e-MANIC project developing electronic diagnostic algorithms. As Co-Investigator, he contributes to DANIDA's CLIMSA project on climate-health linkages and multiple EDCTP diagnostics studies (DIAGMAL, COV ADIS, ADIP), demonstrating sustained leadership in malaria and febrile illness research.

At the Sigle field station, Dr. Francois oversees clinical trial operations and community-based research teams, coordinating complex studies on malaria rapid diagnostic tests and fever management that directly inform national health policies in Burkina Faso.