Symon Kariuki is a Scientist at the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme in Kenya. He initially qualified from University of Nairobi, and subsequently from Kings College London (Epileptology & Neuroscience), University of Oxford (Clinical Medicine) and Broad Institute of Harvard University and MIT (Neurogenomics). He conducts research on epilepsy and mental health problems through which he mentors young researchers to become research leaders in neuroscience. He is a member or chairperson for advisory committees and taskforces of various organisations including the Kenyan National Epilepsy Coordination Committee, International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) and International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE). He has research interests in (i) the epidemiology of neurological and mental disorders in people living in resource-limited settings, (ii) investigating the mechanisms of developing neurological and mental disorders including the genetic susceptibility and interaction with infections, and (iii) implementation and evaluation of interventions to improve outcome for these conditions. He is also passionate about organised advocacy efforts aimed at protecting rights and improving care and well-being of people with neurological and mental disorders.