RA and Top Scholar Award 

PhD in Global Health Metrics and Implementation Science 

Please tell us a little bit about yourself. 

I am a doctoral student in the implementation science program at the University of Washington's Department of Global Health. I am originally from Kenya, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in medicine and surgery. My professional journey began as a resident medical officer in a large private hospital in Western Kenya, followed by a role as a senior medical officer in public service, providing care to diverse populations in both rural and urban public hospitals within a high HIV burden region.

While I deeply valued clinical practice, I often felt that we were addressing problems too late—when prevention could have been more effective. This realization, coupled with observing the limited public uptake of proven interventions like PrEP, drove me to explore the underlying barriers and design strategies to improve access and adoption of evidence-based interventions in resource-limited settings. To pursue this passion, I transitioned into clinical research at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)-Kisumu under the mentorship of Professor Elizabeth Bukusi, where I contributed to impactful HIV prevention studies.

My work has included pivotal roles in clinical trials such as the IMPOWER 22 and MOVe AHEAD studies, evaluating the safety and efficacy of oral Islatravir as a once-monthly HIV PrEP and molnupiravir as COVID-19 prophylaxis, respectively. I also contributed to the INSIGHT cohort study, which explored African women’s PrEP preferences, and implementation studies like Pharmacy PrEP and PrEP My Way, which tested innovative delivery models to expand PrEP access through pharmacies and community-based approaches. These experiences, focused on biomedical interventions for HIV prevention, have been profoundly fulfilling and strengthened my resolve to combat the HIV pandemic through impactful research.

In 2023, I joined the University of Washington as a Fogarty Scholar to pursue an Master of Public Health in Global Health, which further equipped me to address health disparities in low-resource settings. Building on this foundation, I transitioned to the Implementation Science PhD program, where I aim to advance the design, implementation, and scaling up of effective interventions to improve health outcomes for underserved populations.

Why did you decide to attend the UW for graduate school?

The University of Washington is globally renowned as a leader in public health and implementation science, making it an ideal place to advance my academic and research career. I was particularly drawn to UW’s implementation science program for its focus on scaling evidence-based interventions to underserved communities, which aligns with my passion for addressing health disparities through innovative, practical solutions.

My decision was also influenced by UW’s longstanding research collaboration with KEMRI, where I worked as a clinical research scientist. This partnership made the UW a natural next step in my journey. Additionally, UW’s research centers, including the Center for AIDS Research, Global WACh, and the International Clinical Research Center, have led groundbreaking work in HIV research—a field I am deeply passionate about.

I am excited about the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with faculty such as Connie Celum and Bryan Weiner, whose work has significantly shaped the fields of HIV prevention and implementation science, respectively. These factors make the UW an exceptional environment to further my goals in global health.

What are your research interests and career goals?

My research interests explore the intersection of reproductive health and HIV prevention, focusing on scaling up effective biomedical and behavioral interventions for young African women, a key priority population. I aim to leverage technology to enhance accessibility and impact, developing practical innovative strategies that close prevention gaps and make HIV prevention a reality for those who need it most.

Did your award influence your decision to attend the UW?

Receiving an award certainly influenced my decision to attend the UW. However, I was equally excited about the opportunity to continue learning at this renowned institution, recognized as a leader in implementation science.

When you aren't studying, where is your favorite place to hangout in Seattle?

One of my favorite places to hang out in Seattle is Magnuson Park, thanks to its close proximity, peaceful trails, waterfront views, and open spaces that are perfect for relaxing.