Genetic Characterization of Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Kenyan Populations
The NeuroDev Kenya Project is a study aimed at investigating the genetics of neurodevelopmental disabilities through identification of genes and phenotypes associated with the disabilities in Kenyan populations. The project was established in 2018, and it’s carried out in collaboration with Aga Khan University, University of Cape Town and the Broad Institute. The study is targeting to enroll 2700 participants from Kilifi and Mombasa Counties at the Kenyan Coast.
Community engagement
Community engagement is key to building strategic partnerships with stakeholders. As part of raising community awareness and strengthening referral pathways for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities, the project has an active capacity strengthening program which involves training community health volunteers (CHVs) to identify neurodevelopmental disabilities at the community level.
The NeuroDev project team resumed school engagements in June 2022 following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. Special schools and units in mainstream primary schools are key recruitment sites for the study. The field recruitment team led by Javan Nyale organize and carry out presentations about the study during Parent- Teacher meetings in schools.
OUR TEAM
Prof Amina Abubakar
Principal investigator
Prof Amina Abubakar
Principal investigator
Prof Charles Newton
Co- investigator
Prof Charles Newton
Co- investigator
Patricia Kipkemoi
PhD student
Eunice Chepkemoi
Project Coordinator
Collins Kipkoech
Data Manager
Alfred Ngombo
Clinician
Martha Kombe
Clinician
Constance Rehema
Assistant Research Officer
Samuel Mwasambu
Field worker
Rachel Mapenzi
Field Worker
Javan Nyale
Field worker