KEMRI Researcher lands Prestigious 2020 Aspen Institute’s New Voices Fellowship

A Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) scientist is among three Kenyan fellows selected to join the prestigious New Voices Fellowship by the United States-based, The Aspen Institute.

Dr. Damaris Matoke-Muhia, a researcher from the Institute’s Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development (CBRD), a University of Nairobi (UON) design architect, Ms. Etta Madete and lawyer, Stephanie Musho are among the beneficiaries from Africa announced this Wednesday, 15th, January 2020 as members of the groundbreaking leadership fellowship programme of 2020.

The others are drawn from Afghanistan, Bolivia, Botswana, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Libya, Malawi, Myanmar, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

Dr. Matoke-Muhia with her colleagues will be joining a community of passionate frontline experts from Africa, Asia and Latin America who are changing the global health and development conversation.

The team will also be involved in intensive media advocacy training and mentorship to reach a broader global audience through both traditional and new media, as well as public speaking engagements.

“We congratulate Dr. Matoke for her selection to join the New Voices Fellowship programme that is to develop standout development professionals. We wish her well in the training that will benefit the Institute and make our country and the continent a better place,” said Director General at KEMRI, Prof. Yeri Kombe

Prof. Kombe’s View is shared by Fellowship Director, Andrew Quinn, “New Voices Fellows are uniquely positioned to influence global development policies,” he said and added, “Their world-class expertise, paired with lived experience of basic development challenges, gives them important insight into how policy can translate into progress on the ground.”

Brief Bios of the Kenya’s fellowship candidates:

Damaris Matoke-Muhia, Kenya
Senior research scientist, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) & Director of Capacity Building, Gender Mainstreaming, and Career Progression, Pan-African Mosquito Control Association (PAMCA)
Damaris is a senior research scientist at Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) & Director of capacity Building, Gender Mainstreaming, and Career Progression, Pan-African Mosquito Control Association (PAMCA) undertaking research in vector borne diseases control. She holds a PhD in Molecular Medicine and a Masters in Biotechnology. In addition to her extensive experience working in disease prevention and vector control, Damaris is passionate in mentoring young career scientists and advocates for the advancement of the careers of women scientists.

Etta Madete, Kenya
Lecturer, University of Nairobi & Designer, BuildX Studio (formally Orkidstudio)
Etta is a human-centered design architect, believing that communities must be at the heart of building and design. She chose architecture school because she saw the field as both physical and tangible, that would allow her to come up with practical solutions. She’s passionate about sustainable building technology and materials in the built environment. Etta seeks to create social change through design and addresses development through an architectural lens. She’s currently working on creating sustainable, low-income housing developments in Nairobi that supplement existing structures. Using innovative and creative design approaches, Etta aims to build communities and neighborhoods that foster health and well-being.

Stephanie Musho, Kenya
SRHR Program Officer, Tomorrow’s Child Initiative
Stephanie is a lawyer who is passionate about sexual and reproductive health and rights, particularly safe abortion access. She is keen to disrupt the norms and structures that perpetuate gender-based violence and unsafe abortion. She uses her legal skills as a program officer for a human rights organization to help support victims of abuse. Stephanie has her sights set on elective leadership to influence policy change and decisions on women’s rights.