PEOPLE
Principal Investigators
Dr Symon Kariuki
Senior Research Scientist
Dr Symon Kariuki
Senior Research Scientist
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.
Prof. Charles Newton
Senior Research Scientist
Prof. Charles Newton
Senior Research Scientist
Charles is a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Oxford, United Kingdom, with over 30 years of research experience in mental and neurological conditions in Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana and South Africa. He is also a practising paediatric neurologist and splits his time between the Kilifi County Hospital in Kenya and Oxford in the United Kingdom.
Prof. Amina Abubakar
Senior Research Scientist
Prof. Amina Abubakar
Senior Research Scientist
Prof. Abubakar is a developmental psychologist and a senior research scientist affiliated with the Neuroscience Unit at KEMRI Wellcome Trust. She is also the Director of the Institute for Human Development at Aga Khan University in Nairobi. Her research concerns three broad areas: 1) the sequelae of childhood diseases, 2) the epidemiology of neurodevelopmental disorders, specifically autism spectrum disorders (ASDs); and 3) predictors of adolescent mental health across cultural contexts. Prof. Abubakar has a particular interest in creating culturally appropriate strategies for identifying, monitoring and rehabilitating children exposed to HIV, malnutrition and malaria.
Dr Linnet Ongeri
(SIPs) Principal Investigator
Mary Bitta
DIFUSIMO Project Principal Investigator
Mary Bitta
DIFUSIMO Project Principal Investigator
Mary is a trained nurse and a public mental health specialist. Her work involves implementation and evaluation of interventions aimed at improving management of mental and neurological problems in rural areas of Kenya.