The 14th KASH Conference
13th - 16th February, 2024

KASH is the KEMRI Annual Scientific and Health Conference launched in 2011 with the mission to: mainstream the scientific and health agenda of KEMRI by Dissemination, sharing and digesting various scientific outputs and other allied products including networking and strengthening Partnerships and collaborations with view to Improving on Health and Quality of life
Harnessing Biomedical Research Innovations and Big Data for Health System Resilience, Local Manufacturing and Commercialization

Introduction

KASH is the KEMRI Annual Scientific and Health Conference launched in 2010 with the mission to mainstream the scientific and health agenda of KEMRI by Dissemination, sharing and digesting various scientific outputs and other allied products including networking and strengthening Partnerships and collaborations with a view to Improving on Health and Quality of life of the country’s citizens.

The conference is open to research scientists, health professionals and diploma, graduate and postgraduate students undertaking scientific and health-related courses.

Objective of KASH

   1. To disseminate research findings
   2. To strengthen research partnerships and relationships with other stakeholders
   3. Capacity development for enhanced information sharing and continuous professional development

KASH Conference has transformed KEMRI research dissemination and has become the one annual event on the calendar of KEMRI that all staff, partners from academia, policy and industry, and health practitioners from the region look forward to.

The forum provides a great opportunity for sharing, cross-learning and mentoring of younger scientists as well as a platform for the discussion of current health challenges, the exchange of new knowledge and discussion on the way forward.

KASH 14 THEMES

Main Theme

Harnessing Biomedical Research Innovations and Big Data for Health System Resilience, Local Manufacturing and Commercialization
Sub – themes
  1. One health, NTDS, and vector-borne diseases
  2. Climate change and its environmental impact on health
  3. Mental health, trauma and NCDs (Non-Communicable Diseases)
  4. Infectious and parasitic disease control
  5. Nutrition and food security
  6. Omics and forensic science
  7. Innovations, emerging technologies, vaccines and product development
  8. Health systems, big data and digital health
  9. Public health and disease surveillance

KASH 14 ABSTRACT AND PROGRAMME

KASH 13 ABSTRACT AND PROGRAMME

KASH 12 ABSTRACT AND PROGRAMME

KASH 11

TEMPLATES

GUIDELINES

Important Dates and Information

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION

7th February 2024

CONFERENCE DATES

14ᵗʰ – 16ᵗʰ February 2024

ON SITE REGISTRATION

REGISTRATION

Category

Early Registration

10/07/2023 – 31/01/2024

Onsite

Daily Charges

Student

KES. 5 000

KES. 5, 000

KEMRI Staff

KES. 7, 500

KES. 5, 000

Non-KEMRI Staff Members

KES. 10, 000

KES. 7, 500

KASH 14 Registration fee is payable to:

NAME OF ORGANIZATION OR PARTNER: KENYA MEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE (KEMRI)

PHYSICAL ADDRESS: NGUMO OFF RAILA ODINGA WAY, NAIROBI, KENYA

NAME OF BANK ACCOUNT: KEMRI Conference

BANK NAME: KENYA COMMERCIAL BANK (KCB)

BANK BRANCH: KIPANDE HOUSE

ACCOUNT NUMBER: 1112776850

MPESA Paybill NO: 522522

CURRENCY OF ACCOUNT: ALL

 

AC/NO; 1112776850

REGISTRATION FEE IS NON-REFUNDABLE

Abstract and Symposium Submission

CLOSED

14th KASH CONFERENCE: GUIDELINES FOR AUTHORS

To help you with your abstract submission, kindly note the following guidelines

  • All abstracts must be submitted in English language.
  • Abstracts can only be submitted on line via the link provided on the KEMRI web site 
  • The abstract text should not exceed 3000 characters, use the following format (Background, Methods, Results, Conclusion)
  • Tables and graphs may be included as attachments. 
  • It is the author’s responsibility to submit a correct abstract. Any errors in spelling, grammar or scientific facts will be reproduced as typed by the author. 
  • Abstracts must not have been published or submitted for presentation to any other national or international meeting.

Choosing Abstract Sub-themes Categories
The abstract sub-themes categories are the general heading under which your abstract will be reviewed and later published in the conference printed matters if accepted. Please choose the sub-themes which best describes the subject of your abstract.

Notification of Acceptance or Rejection
Notification of acceptance or rejection will be sent to the corresponding author. Please note that only the corresponding author will receive mail concerning the abstract and is responsible for informing all co-authors of the status of their abstract. Authors whose abstracts have been accepted will receive instructions for the presentation of their abstract.

Abstract Blinding and Review
All submitted abstracts will go through a blind peer-review process carried out by an independent reviewing committee. The Scientific Sub-committee will post reviewer’s comments to the corresponding authors through emails.  

KASH Conference Abstract Policy

An abstract cannot be submitted if it has been previously published or presented, unless there are major updates in the data, and may not be presented elsewhere after acceptance for KASH. If preliminary or partial data has been published, the author is required to indicate the details of the conference, meeting or journal. 

KASH Conference Publication

All the accepted abstracts will be published in a special edition of the peer-reviewed African Journal for Health Sciences. If you have any questions regarding your abstract submission, please contact the abstract support team at ek.og.irmekobfsctd@hsak 

RISING STAR SCIENTIFIC AWARD CALL

Background

KEMRI Annual Scientific and Health (KASH) Conference mission is to mainstream the scientific and health research agenda of KEMRI by disseminating, sharing and digesting various scientific outputs and other allied products. The mission also includes networking and strengthening partnerships and collaborations with the aim of improving health and quality of life of humans.

The conference is open to research scientists, health professionals, graduate and postgraduate students undertaking scientific and health related course.

Rationale for Young Investigators Award

KASH provides a great opportunity for sharing, cross learning and mentoring of younger scientists as well as a platform for discussion of current health challenges, the exchange of new knowledge and discussion on the way forward. This year’s theme is “Harnessing Biomedical Research Innovations and Big Data for Health System Resilience, Local Manufacturing and Commercialization.”

In view of improving the quality of presentation, capacity building and research dissemination from young scientists, KASH has initiated a Rising Star Scientific Award which will be open to the young upcoming scientists. The young upcoming scientists will be required to apply for this award and submit abstracts on the online portal so that they may be enlisted for consideration by the KASH Rising Star Selection Panel. This Panel will be mandated to review and recommend the Guidelines and Criteria which will be used for nomination and selection of Young Scientist Award. These guidelines together with the registration form will be posted along will the call of abstracts.

During KASH Conference, a Rising Star Scientific Session will be included in the Program which will provide a forum for them to make their oral presentations.

Guidelines, Eligibility and Selection Criteria

  1. The Young Investigator should be a Kenyan citizen working undertaking his/her research in Kenya
  2. The upper age limit of the young investigator applying for the award is 40 years for female and 35 years for male investigators.
  3. Registered/Enrolled in a recognised University locally or internationally as a Post-Graduate Student pursuing either PhD or MSc in any of the 6 Programmatic Areas of KEMRI (www.kemri.go.ke). Proof of studentship maybe requested by the Panel.
  4. The duly filled registration form (ANNEX 1), accompanied with an abstract written in accordance with KASH Abstract Guidelines (visit:- www.kemri.go.ke/index.php/login-page/conference) to reach the team Leader of the Selection Panel by email to ek.og.irmekobfsctd@hsak not later than 1st December for the year preceding KASH Conference (14th December 2023).
  5. Should not have won an award during the previous KASH Conferences i.e. KASH 1-13.
  6. The abstract/paper submitted must be by the young Investigator as the lead author of paper and the research work must be certified by the Mentor/ Supervisor / Investigator /Head.
  7. Young Investigator can present only one paper in their oral session.
  8. Each nominee is required to make an oral presentation (5 minutes) about his/her research work which will be rated by 3 independent reviewers.
  9. The reviewers will consolidate their marks and rank them according to merit

Award

The top three presenters will be identified and given an award during the KASH Closing Ceremony. The Best presentation will be awarded a token of fifty thousand Kenya Shillings plus a 14th KASH plaque. The 2nd and 3rd best presentations will be awarded Kshs 30,000 and 20,000 respectively as shown in the table below. Certificates of merit will also be awarded to the winners.

SN Category Monetary token Other Award

SN Category Monetary token Other Award
1 Winner Kshs 50,000 14th KASH Plaque
2 First Runners Up Kshs. 30,000 14th KASH Plaque
3 Second runners Up Kshs. 20,000 14th KASH Plaque

KASH 14 VENUE

SAFARI PARK HOTEL & CASINO

Safari Park Hotel

13th KASH Gallery

12th KASH Gallery

11th KASH Gallery

10th KASH & 40th Anniversary Gallery

KASH

Contact Us

If you have any query please contact

Kash – ek.og.irmekobfsctd@hsak

or

Dr. Damaris Matoke – ek.og.irmekobfsctd@ekotamd

For any technical issues with uploading abstract please contact

ek.og.irmekobfsctd@hsak

MEET THE TEAM

Cecilia K. Mbae, PhD

KASH Chairperson    

Dr. Cecilia Mbae holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry/Zoology and Masters in Medical parasitology from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. She holds a PhD in Molecular and life sciences from the Open University, UK. Her PhD work focused on Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium and Giardia among HIV positive and negative children living in urban informal settlements in Nairobi. Cecilia Joined KEMRI, Centre for Microbiology Research in 2004 as a Research officer, and is now a Senior Research Scientist in the same department.  She is involved in various projects including mapping of salmonella and other enteric infections in Mukuru informal settlements, and is a PI at the Cystic Echinococcossis in sub-Saharan Africa Research initiative (CESSARi), which entails mapping of the disease in different areas and hosts in the participating countries.  World Association of Echinococcosis.

Damaris Matoke Muhia, PhD

KASH Organizing Secretary

Damaris holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and Masters in Biotechnology from the University of Mysore, India. She holds a PhD in Molecular Medicine from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. Her PhD work focused on population genetics and insecticide resistance of malaria vectors in Western Kenya. Damaris joined KEMRI, Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, Molecular Entomology laboratory in the year 2006 as an Assistant Research Officer and later rose to the positions of Senior Research Officer within the same department. She is involved in various projects encompassing monitoring of insecticide resistance, mapping of malaria vectors and studying of behavior changes of mosquitoes and sandflies  in relation to vector control systems in Kenya. Damaris is a member of the Pan African Mosquito Control Association (PAMCA).

Charles Mwaniki Mbogo PhD

KASH Committee Member

Charles is a public health entomologist with over 30 years’ experience in the conduct of entomological studies in Kenya, Ethiopia and Eritrea. He is a Chief Research Scientist at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme. He heads the Vector Biology and Ecology Department and the Vector Public Health unit at KEMRI Wellcome Trust, Nairobi. He pioneers research in the ecology and behaviour of mosquitoes and other disease vectors. He has developed and implemented vector surveillance systems at local and national scales in the Eastern Africa region. He serves on various national and international technical committees and maintains a keen interest in translating research into policy and practice. He maintains a keen interest in translating research into policy and practice and played an important role in the formulation of national policy on Integrated Vector Management (IVM). He is the current President of the Pan African Mosquito Control Association (PAMCA), an association of African entomology professionals dedicated to Improving human health through suppression of mosquitoes and mosquito borne diseases.

Dr. Joseph Mwangangi, PhD

KASH Committee Member

Joseph Mwangangi graduated with BSc (Zoology, Botany and Geography) from Kenyatta University in 1997. He joined KEMRI in 1998. Mwangangi graduated with PhD degree in Medical Entomology from Kenyatta University in 2007. His research interest is in malaria vector biology and ecology, novel approaches to the control of vector borne diseases and the monitoring of insecticide resistance. His current research interests include IVM within a community based model, empowering communities and public health stakeholders in disease control. He is TWAS Young Affiliate Fellow for Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS) and the TWAS Regional Office for Sub-Saharan Africa (TWAS-ROSSA) for period 2011 – 2015. He is an Official for the PAMCA, Kenyan Chapter and member of coordinating committee for PAMCA.

Carolyne Wandera

KASH Committee Member

Carolyne Wandera holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce Marketing Option (First Class Hons) and a Masters in Business Administration from the University Of Nairobi. She is also a certified Lead Auditor in ISO 9001:2015. Her interest is in Communication and Quality Management Systems. Currently working as senior Corporate Communications Officer at the Institute, she is involved in the publicity of the Institute and dissemination of research output.