Raissa Muvunyi is a Biologist and Bioinformatician focused on addressing healthcare challenges. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Mercyhurst University (USA) and a Master of Science in Applied Bioinformatics from Cranfield University (UK). Raissa’s academic interests span forensic DNA, genetics, genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, with her thesis centered on developing an RNA-Seq-based signaling pathway analysis to understand ethylene response in onion storage.

Raissa has made significant contributions to genomic surveillance in Rwanda, particularly through her involvement in wastewater surveillance. Her work has supported the detection and monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 variants in pooled samples from passengers and aircraft wastewater, enhancing public health strategies. Additionally, Raissa’s work extends to emerging infectious diseases such as Mpox and Marburg. She has played a crucial role in the genomic characterization of these viruses, especially the 2024 Marburg virus outbreak, contributing to early detection and response efforts.

As a key team member in genome browser development, Raissa contributed to improving genomics data interpretation. Professionally, she has served as a Bioinformatics Specialist at the National Council for Science and Technology and as a National Research Assistant to the Vice Chancellor at the University of Global Health Equity. Currently, Raissa works as a Bioinformatics Analyst at the National Reference Laboratory.

With a passion for applying Bioinformatics to uncover genetic components of diseases, Raissa is committed to advancing public health through her research, aiming to drive innovations in genomic surveillance, disease prevention, precision medicine, and therapeutic development.