简介
I am a dynamic and impact-oriented African research scientist and leader, transforming lives in Africa and promoting human dignity and rights through impact-oriented research, public engagement, policy influence, and capacity building. I am currently a Senior Research Scientist at the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), with public health and nutrition expertise. I have over 20 years of work experience, about 15 years of postdoctoral research experience. I lead the Nutrition and Food Systems Unit and head the Health and Wellbeing Theme at APHRC.
I have a multi-disciplinary training background and experience, spanning public health, environmental health, and law. I hold a Ph.D. in Public Health (2010), specializing in Nutrition; a Masters of Public Health (2004) specializing in epidemiology and disease control; a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Health (1999); and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree, with a special interest in human rights law.
I have a longstanding research experience (20+ years), leading discovery and implementation/evaluation research on strategies to improve health and wellbeing in Africa, using quantitative, qualitative, and participatory methodologies. My work focuses on nutrition and food systems in Africa, with a vision to transform food systems to be more nourishing, healthy, inclusive, human-centered, resilient, and sustainable, to promote human health and planetary health. My recent funding is supporting research, and public and policy engagement to enhance the understanding of the interlinkages between climate change, food systems, and health; and to understand the impacts of climate change on health with an objective of making visible the climate impacts on health to catalyze action at scale. I also have extensive experience in public and policy engagement and communications. My research and expertise have influenced various public health policies and strategies, especially in nutrition and child health. I also have good experience in research and related capacity strengthening. I have mentored and influenced the mentorship of many early career researchers at APHRC and in Africa generally. I have also supported the capacity building of non-researchers, including grassroots organization members, and policymakers.
I have about 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications on public and environmental health issues as a lead, mentor, or co-author. I have also produced or contributed to numerous non-academic publications including blogs, policy briefs, and participatory visual products such as creative photo books, animation, comics, digital stories, photo stories, and videos among others. I have widely engaged and supported others to engage in local and international media. I have raised tens of millions of dollars for my research as a lead applicant or in collaboration with others.
I have longstanding experience in donor engagement, partnership building, and stakeholder engagement locally, regionally and internationally, developing enduring partnerships. I have led partnerships with diverse organizations ranging from research institutions to grassroots organizations including civil society organizations and youth and women groups in Kenya and the Eastern and Southern African regions and beyond. I also have extensive professional service experience, contributing to several local and international technical/professional groups and boards.
