Prof. Elijah Martim Songok is a distinguished virologist with over 26 years of experience in research and training, particularly focusing on HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, and emerging viral infections. He serves as the Director General of the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and is also associated with the Kenya BioVax Institute.

Prof. Songok obtained his BSc and MSc degrees in Biochemistry from the University of Nairobi. He then pursued a PhD in Viral Infections from Kanazawa University in Japan and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Manitoba in Canada. His academic career includes positions as a professor at both Kanazawa University and the University of Manitoba.

Throughout his career, Prof. Songok has been actively involved in numerous roles and committees. He has headed the KEMRI Infectious and Parasitic Diseases Research Program, chaired the Kenya World Hepatitis Day Commemoration Committee, and served as a technical expert for developing Kenya's national guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of viral hepatitis. He is also a member of the WHO-UNAIDS network for HIV isolation and characterization and the Kenya Advisory Committee for Blood Safety and Availability.

Prof. Songok has published over 50 articles in peer-reviewed journals and has secured more than twenty international research grants and awards. His work has been supported by prestigious organizations, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Third World Academy of Sciences, and the Toyota Foundation.

At KEMRI, Prof. Songok has spearheaded significant advancements, including the establishment of a state-of-the-art Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine laboratory, the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa. This facility aims to address the rising tide of non-communicable diseases in the region by developing new therapies to regenerate and repair tissues affected by diseases or injuries.