Washington, DC / Nairobi, Kenya听鈥 The National Academy of Medicine (探花app), in partnership with the (KEMRI), today announced the selection of the inaugural cohort of the Leadership for Innovation and Excellence in Accelerating Research on Women鈥檚 Health (LEA-WH) Fellowship. This milestone follows the program鈥檚 launch in January 2026 and marks the beginning of a transformative effort to strengthen women鈥檚 health research in Africa.听
The includes 20 fellows from 11 African countries, representing a diverse and dynamic community of researchers, clinicians, biotechnologists, and innovators. The fellows will convene for the first time during an intensive, in-person immersion week in Nairobi May 11鈥15, 2026, where they will begin a 12-month program of training, mentorship, and collaboration.听
A Two-Track Approach to Impact听
The LEA-WH Fellowship is structured around two complementary tracks designed to accelerate both discovery and delivery. Track 1 brings together reproductive health researchers who will generate rigorous evidence to inform policy and transform practice across the continent. Track 2 includes product developers and innovators building solutions, technologies, and platforms that reach women where they are.听
Together, these fellows form the foundation of a growing, continent-wide network that will expand with each cohort鈥攁dvancing a shared vision of stronger, more equitable health systems for women.听
Driving Research Excellence听
LEA-WH is grounded in the belief that research is essential to addressing women鈥檚 health challenges, many of which remain underfunded and underrecognized. By equipping a new generation of African leaders with the knowledge, skills, and global connections they need to succeed, the program aims to expand research capacity and elevate women鈥檚 health on regional and global agendas.听
鈥淭his inaugural cohort represents the future of women鈥檚 health leadership in Africa,鈥 said 探花app President Victor J. Dzau, MD. 鈥淭hrough LEA-WH, we are not only supporting individual researchers鈥攚e are helping to build a collaborative network that will generate the evidence, innovations, and solutions needed to improve health outcomes for women across the continent and beyond.鈥听
鈥淜EMRI is proud to welcome these exceptional fellows to Nairobi for the start of this journey,鈥 said Elizabeth Bukusi, PhD, MPH, senior principal clinical research scientist and program director at KEMRI. 鈥淏y bringing together diverse expertise from across Africa, this program ensures that locally grounded knowledge and innovation will drive meaningful, lasting impact in women鈥檚 health.鈥听
Inaugural LEA-WH Fellowship Cohort听
- Airat Adeola Bakare, Reproductive Biologist, Nigeria听
- Wepnje Godlove Bunda, Biomedical Scientist, Cameroon听
- Mbah Clarisse Engowei, Biomedical Scientist, Cameroon听
- Marie Therese Esengwa Keka, Medical Doctor, Malawi听
- Sitsofe Gbogbo, Behavioral Scientist, Ghana听
- Helen Habibata Habib, Lab Tech and Public Health Officer, Ghana听
- Onyekachi Ewa Ibe, Biomedical Scientist, Nigeria听
- Kadryn Kadasia-Tangai, Biomedical Scientist, Kenya听
- Rogers Kajabwangu, Medical Doctor, Uganda听
- Leonard Naphazi Kambewa, Medical Doctor, Malawi听
- Fezile Bongekile Khumalo, Biotechnologist, South Africa听
- Kenneth Toby Maduako, Medical Doctor, Nigeria听
- Nyasha Manyeruke, Medical Doctor, Zimbabwe听
- Kennedy Mulungu, Biotechnologist, Malawi听
- Aamirah Mussa, Women鈥檚 Health Researcher, Botswana听
- Chinelo Cynthia Nduka, Medical Doctor, Nigeria听
- Joy Ifunanya鈥疧dimegwu, Biomedical Scientist, Nigeria听
- Uduak Adiakot Okomo, Medical Doctor, Gambia听
- Joel Alex Olang, Public Health Officer, Kenya听
- Gelila Biresaw Sime, Biomedical Scientist, Ethiopia听听
About the National Academy of Medicine
The National Academy of Medicine is committed to advancing science, informing policy, and catalyzing action to achieve听optimal听health for all. As an independent, evidence-based advisor, 探花app fosters collaboration across sectors and prepares the next generation of health and medicine leaders.听
About the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)
The Kenya Medical Research Institute is a leading center of health research excellence in Africa, dedicated to improving human health and well-being through innovation, partnerships, and scientific leadership.听
More information: Kelly Robbins
