KAVI-Institute of Clinical Research at the University of Nairobi (UoN) proudly hosted a high-level delegation from the U.S. National Academy of Medicine (NAM) as part of the Academy’s Listening Sessions initiative. This effort aims to understand and address the barriers faced by mid-career researchers particularly in the realm of women’s health in becoming Principal Investigators (PIs).

The session brought together mid-career and established researchers, as well as postgraduate students from UoN, in an engaging and solution-driven dialogue around the professional development challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Representing the National Academy of Medicine were:

• Gregg Margolis, Director of Health Policy Fellowships and Leadership Programs
• Kelly Robbins, Senior Program Officer
• Alison Boland-Reeves, Senior Program Officer
• Caroline Moses, Senior Program Assistant
• They were joined by Erica Coppel, Senior Officer, Strategy, Planning & Management for Women’s Health Innovations in the Gender Equality Division at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The event was a pivotal moment in NAM’s broader regional mission, which spans several African countries, to co-develop contextually relevant strategies for cultivating the next generation of leaders in women’s health research.

Spotlight on the “Scholars in Global Women’s Health Research” Program

NAM’s team presented an overview of their new initiative—the Scholars in Global Women’s Health Research program. The initiative seeks to empower early and mid-career researchers in Sub-Saharan Africa through a multi-faceted approach that includes:

• A comprehensive professional development curriculum
• Structured mentorship opportunities from seasoned global experts
• Robust networking platforms across institutions and regions
• Capacity-building in grant writing, research leadership, and academic publishing
• Exploration of international conference participation and seed funding to catalyse early-stage research

A Listening Session Rooted in Local Experience

After their presentation, the NAM team facilitated an extensive listening session with researchers from the University of Nairobi. The open forum enabled faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and postgraduate students to share their lived experiences, successes, and systemic challenges in advancing women’s health research in the region.

Discussions touched on:

• The complexities of transitioning from collaborator to PI
• The need for mentorship that understands African research contexts
• Barriers in accessing international funding
• The importance of leadership and management training, especially for women in science
• Institutional support gaps that limit research independence

These insights will inform the final design of NAM’s program and ensure it is tailored to the aspirations and realities of African researchers.

Presence of Esteemed Local Leadership

Among the distinguished Kenyan researchers present were Prof. Moses Obimbo, Prof. Rose Kosgei, and KAVI-ICR’s Dr. Marianne Mureithi and Professor Omu Anzala.

Professor Anzala is a renowned scientist and Principal Investigator on numerous international grants in infectious diseases and immunology. Commenting on the importance of such initiatives, Prof. Anzala shared “We must actively shape the next generation of research leaders by building bridges, not just ladders. Programs like this are a critical step in investing in Africa’s scientific independence—especially in women’s health, where local leadership is essential.”

A Way Forward

As the National Academy of Medicine continues its tour across Africa, the voices from Nairobi will resonate in the design and implementation of a transformative research leadership program. KAVI-Institute of Clinical Research remains proud to contribute to this mission, ensuring that African researchers in women’s health have the tools, networks, and recognition needed to lead cutting-edge health research for the continent.