Kuza Mentorship Program

FINAL REMINDER If you've been carrying an idea for health research that keeps you up at night... If you've been waiting for the right moment, the right support, the right community to take it seriously... If you've been thinking, "maybe one day I'll do this research, Today is that day. The Kuza Research Mentorship Program Cohort IV closes in LESS THAN 7 HOURS. This is not about someday. This is about now. About stepping into your calling as a health researcher and building something that matters. Your research can change what we know. Your voice can shape the future of African public health. But only if you act. Apply: https://lnkd.in/d52vEiTe Deadline: TODAY at 1700hrs EAT. Important: All application essays and written responses must reflect the applicant’s own thinking and experiences. AI-generated or AI-assisted essays will not be accepted and will result in automatic disqualification. #KuzaResearchMentorship #ResearchInAfrica #AfricanResearchers #PublicHealthResearch #EarlyCareerResearchers #ResearchLeadership #AfricanHealthScience #NextGenerationLeaders #MentorshipProgram #ResearchOpportunity #HealthResearch #AfricanScience #CareerDevelopment #ResearchCommunity #AcademicOpportunity #KuzaCohort4 #HealthEquity #ResearchCareer #AfricanVoices #ScienceMentorship Catherine Akoth- C'Odhiambo|James Oguta|Jalorche Consulting Inc.|Kuza Mentorship Program|Lilian Ngina|Norah Okombo, BScN, RN|Daniel Mutuku|Dorcas Kanini|Nancy Nyaga|Irene Mulei|Collins Munene|Nyakundi Caleb|Sharon(Mercy) Okemwa|Elvis Omondi Wambiya|Solomon Toweet|Gilbert Rosana|Brian Kigen

FINAL REMINDER If you've been carrying an idea for health research that keeps you up at night... If you've been waiting for the right moment, the right support, the right community to take it seriously... If you've been thinking, "maybe one day I'll do this research, Today is that day. The Kuza Research Mentorship Program Cohort IV closes in LESS THAN 7 HOURS. This is not about someday. This is about now. About stepping into your calling as a health researcher and building something that matters. Your research can change what we know. Your voice can shape the future of African public health. But only if you act. Apply: https://lnkd.in/d52vEiTe Deadline: TODAY at 1700hrs EAT. Important: All application essays and written responses must reflect the applicant’s own thinking and experiences. AI-generated or AI-assisted essays will not be accepted and will result in automatic disqualification. #KuzaResearchMentorship #ResearchInAfrica #AfricanResearchers #PublicHealthResearch #EarlyCareerResearchers #ResearchLeadership #AfricanHealthScience #NextGenerationLeaders #MentorshipProgram #ResearchOpportunity #HealthResearch #AfricanScience #CareerDevelopment #ResearchCommunity #AcademicOpportunity #KuzaCohort4 #HealthEquity #ResearchCareer #AfricanVoices #ScienceMentorship Catherine Akoth- C'Odhiambo|James Oguta|Jalorche Consulting Inc.|Kuza Mentorship Program|Lilian Ngina|Norah Okombo, BScN, RN|Daniel Mutuku|Dorcas Kanini|Nancy Nyaga|Irene Mulei|Collins Munene|Nyakundi Caleb|Sharon(Mercy) Okemwa|Elvis Omondi Wambiya|Solomon Toweet|Gilbert Rosana|Brian Kigen

⏰ Time is running out! ⏰ If you've been thinking about applying for the Kuza Research Mentorship Program Cohort IV, now is the time to act! The application deadline is 24th September 2026 at 1700hrs EAT. Just days away. This is your chance to join a community of emerging African researchers who are shaping the future of public health research on the continent. Whether you're passionate about research, eager to grow as a leader, or committed to improving health in Africa, Kuza offers the structured mentorship and real-world experience you need to take your career to the next level. 🔗 Apply here: https://lnkd.in/d52vEiTe Important: All application essays and written responses must reflect the applicant’s own thinking and experiences. AI-generated or AI-assisted essays will not be accepted and will result in automatic disqualification. We look forward to welcoming the next generation of Kuza research leaders. Catherine Akoth- C'Odhiambo|James Oguta|Jalorche Consulting Inc.|Kuza Mentorship Program|Lilian Ngina|Norah Okombo, BScN, RN|Daniel Mutuku|Dorcas Kanini|Nancy Nyaga|Irene Mulei|Collins Munene|Nyakundi Caleb|Sharon(Mercy) Okemwa|Elvis Omondi Wambiya|Solomon Toweet|Gilbert Rosana|Brian Kigen #KuzaResearchMentorship #ResearchInAfrica #AfricanResearchers #PublicHealthResearch #EarlyCareerResearchers #ResearchLeadership #AfricanHealthScience #NextGenerationLeaders #MentorshipProgram #ResearchOpportunity #HealthResearch #AfricanScience #CareerDevelopment #ResearchCommunity #AcademicOpportunity #KuzaCohort4 #HealthEquity #ResearchCareer #AfricanVoices #ScienceMentorship

The wait is over!!! 🎉 Applications for the 4th Cohort of the Kuza Research Mentorship Program are officially open! Over the past few years, Kuza has mentored emerging African researchers who have gone on to publish research, contribute to scientific and policy discussions, take up leadership responsibilities, and support the growth of other young researchers. We are proud to see our alumni translating mentorship into meaningful professional and research impact. The six-month Kuza Research Mentorship Program is designed for early-career professionals who are ready to grow into the next generation of African research leaders through structured mentorship, collaboration, and engagement in real-world public health research. If you are passionate about research, committed to learning, and ready to contribute meaningfully to improving health in Africa, we invite you to apply for Cohort IV. 📅 Application Deadline: 24th September 2026 at 1700hrs EAT 🔗 Apply here: https://lnkd.in/d52vEiTe Important: All application essays and written responses must reflect the applicant’s own thinking and experiences. AI-generated or AI-assisted essays will not be accepted and will result in automatic disqualification. We look forward to welcoming the next generation of Kuza research leaders. Catherine Akoth- C'Odhiambo|James Oguta|Jalorche Consulting Inc.|Kuza Mentorship Program|Lilian Ngina|Norah Okombo, BScN, RN|Daniel Mutuku|Dorcas Kanini|Nancy Nyaga|Irene Mulei|Collins Munene|Nyakundi Caleb|Sharon(Mercy) Okemwa|Elvis Omondi Wambiya|Solomon Toweet|Gilbert Rosana #KuzaResearchMentorship #ResearchInAfrica #AfricanResearchers #PublicHealthResearch #EarlyCareerResearchers #ResearchLeadership #AfricanHealthScience #NextGenerationLeaders #MentorshipProgram #ResearchOpportunity #HealthResearch #AfricanScience #CareerDevelopment #ResearchCommunity #AcademicOpportunity #KuzaCohort4 #HealthEquity #ResearchCareer #AfricanVoices #ScienceMentorship

📖 Where Courage Meets Peer Review Research doesn't end when the last sentence is written, it reaches a new beginning the moment a manuscript is submitted for peer review. We're excited to share that our Kuza Mentorship Programme Cohort III mentees have officially submitted their research manuscripts to their respective journals. 🎉 Behind every submission are months of learning, refining research questions, analysing data, responding to feedback, and rewriting draft after draft. But perhaps the greatest lesson of all is this: submission is an act of courage. Every researcher knows that peer review can lead to acceptance, revisions, or rejection. While rejection can sometimes make us question our work,and even ourselves; it is an essential part of the scientific process. Every review is an opportunity to learn, improve, and grow. Today, we're celebrating more than the submission of manuscripts. We're celebrating the resilience, persistence, and confidence our mentees have developed throughout this journey. ✨ Stay tuned as we take you behind the scenes of Cohort III, sharing the stories, experiences, lessons, and research that have shaped this remarkable journey. #KuzaMentorship #ResearchMentorship #ScientificWriting #EarlyCareerResearchers #ResearchJourney #EvidenceToAction #CapacityBuilding Catherine Akoth- C'Odhiambo|James Oguta|SHARON OKEMWA|Nyakundi Caleb|Solomon Toweet|Lilian Ngina|Norah Okombo, BScN, RN|Daniel Mutuku|Dorcas Kanini|Nancy Nyaga|Irene Mulei|Gilbert Rosana|Brian Kigen|Collins Munene|Jalorche Consulting Inc.|Kuza Mentorship Program|Medtronic LABS|Moi University|Center for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (CEMA-Africa)|The University of Sheffield|Amref International University (AMIU)|Kenyatta University|Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)

Some journeys do more than build skills. They shape how we think, ask questions, and approach #research with purpose. I am grateful to be among the researchers #graduating from the Kuza Mentorship Program This journey has strengthened my appreciation for rigorous research, critical thinking, and the value of mentorship in producing evidence that can drive meaningful change. As I take the next step, I look forward to applying these lessons to research that informs policy, strengthens health systems, and improves health outcomes. Thank you Kuza Research team, mentors, and fellow researchers for making this such a rewarding experience. James Oguta Catherine Akoth- C'Odhiambo Lilian Ngina Dorcas Kanini Daniel Mutuku Irene Mulei Nancy Nyaga Collins Munene @Caleb Nyakundi Kuza Mentorship Program

The Road to Graduation 🚶🏽♀️📚 Six months ago, a group of ambitious young researchers from across Africa began a journey with one shared goal: to strengthen their research skills and transform ideas into evidence that can shape policy and improve lives. They came from different backgrounds, institutions, and disciplines, but they all shared one thing in common: a passion for research and a commitment to learning. The Kuza Mentorship Programme was never designed to be easy. It demanded discipline, consistency, countless hours of learning, and the courage to keep going through challenging assignments, data analysis, and manuscript writing. Along the way, the journey became more demanding, and not everyone was able to make it to the final stage. But that's what makes this milestone so meaningful. Today, we are proud to be entering the final month of Cohort III as our remaining researchers prepare for graduation,a testament to their resilience, commitment, and determination to see the journey through. Over the coming weeks, we'll be taking you behind the scenes of this journey, sharing the stories, experiences, lessons, and research that have defined Cohort III. Stay with us as we celebrate The Road to Graduation. 🎓✨ #KuzaMentorship #RoadToGraduation #ResearchMentorship #EmergingResearchers #YoungResearchers #ScientificWriting #ResearchCapacity #GlobalHealth #AfricaResearch #EvidenceForImpact Catherine Akoth- C'Odhiambo|James Oguta|SHARON OKEMWA|Nyakundi Caleb|Solomon Toweet|Lilian Ngina|Norah Okombo, BScN, RN|Daniel Mutuku|Dorcas Kanini|Nancy Nyaga|Irene Mulei|Gilbert Rosana|Brian Kigen|Collins Munene|Jalorche Consulting Inc.|Kuza Mentorship Program|Medtronic LABS|Moi University|Center for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (CEMA-Africa)|The University of Sheffield|Amref International University (AMIU)|Kenyatta University|Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)

From mentorship to the conference stage Every research journey begins quietly. In the pages of a notebook. In late nights behind a laptop. In questions that refuse to let us rest. Long before the applause, there is uncertainty. Long before the conference stage, there is preparation. Last Friday, one of those journeys found its voice. Our mentee, Nancy Nyaga, took to the stage at the Kenya Diabetes Study Group Conference to present her research. She stood before a room of scientists, clinicians, and researchers,not simply to share findings, but to contribute to a conversation that has the power to shape lives. Behind those few minutes on stage was intentional preparation. We worked with Nancy to refine her presentation, strengthen her scientific communication, anticipate questions through a mock presentation session, and build the confidence to stand before a room of experts. Because presenting research is not only about knowing your science,it is about telling its story with clarity, confidence, and conviction. And when the day came to an end, her work was recognised with the Third Overall Best Presenter Award. 🏆 For us at Kuza Mentorship Program Africa, this moment represents something much bigger than an award. It is a reminder that research is not complete when a manuscript is written. It comes alive when it is spoken. When it is questioned. When it challenges ideas, sparks dialogue, and finds its place in the rooms where decisions are made and futures are imagined. Nancy, thank you for reminding us why this work matters. We are incredibly proud of your journey and honoured to have walked alongside you. 📄 You can read Nancy's paper here: [https://lnkd.in/dkKwVjCD] #KuzaMentorship #ScienceCommunication #ResearchMentorship #EarlyCareerResearchers #ResearchImpact #GlobalHealth #PublicHealth Catherine Akoth- C'Odhiambo|James Oguta|Nancy Nyaga|Nyakundi Caleb|Daniel Mutuku|Lilian Ngina|Dorcas Kanini|SHARON OKEMWA|Norah Okombo, BScN, RN|Irene Mulei|Brian Kigen|Rosana Gilbert|Collins Munene|Kenya Diabetes Study Group|Moi University

🎉 Another Publication Milestone! We are proud to celebrate the publication of a new paper by Kuza Mentorship Program mentees, Lilian Ngina and Irene Mulei, marking the #third publication from the program. Their study explores the intergenerational dynamics of female genital mutilation (#FGM) in The #Gambia, a timely topic that gained global attention amid the 2024 Women's (Amendment) Bill, which sought to repeal provisions of the 2015 law criminalizing FGM before ultimately being rejected by Parliament. The debate highlighted the continued tensions surrounding the protection of women and girls from harmful practices. Key findings from our study showed that nearly 7 in 10 women who had undergone FGM also had their daughters subjected to the practice, highlighting the persistence of intergenerational transmission of FGM in The Gambia. The practice was more common among older women, married women, and in communities where support for FGM remained high. Encouragingly, higher levels of education and greater household wealth were associated with a lower likelihood of continuing the practice across generations. FGM is not only a public health concern with lifelong physical and psychological consequences, but also a fundamental human rights issue affecting the bodily autonomy, dignity, and well-being of women and girls. At Kuza, we are committed to nurturing young researchers who generate evidence on real public health and global health challenges facing Africa. Seeing our mentees contribute to critical conversations through rigorous research is a reminder of why this work matters. Congratulations to Lilian and Irene on this achievement and on adding valuable evidence to an important global discussion. 🚀 Read about their paper here: https://lnkd.in/d_HfhCMs #KuzaMentorship #Research #FGM #PublicHealth #HumanRights #GlobalHealth #WomenAndGirls #YouthInScience #EvidenceGeneration Catherine Akoth- C'Odhiambo|James Oguta|Jalorche Consulting Inc.|Kuza Mentorship Program|Irene Mulei|Lilian Ngina|Nyakundi Caleb|SHARON OKEMWA|Solomon Toweet|Nancy Nyaga|Collins Munene|Norah Okombo, BScN, RN|Daniel Mutuku|Dorcas Kanini|Rosana Gilbert|Brian Kigen|Maty Dia Wandeler|Population Council|Population Council - Kenya|Amref International University (AMIU)|Amref Health Africa|Digital Transformations for Health Lab|The University of Sheffield|Dennis Matanda|SWEDD+|United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)|UN Women