Fellows Fund Testimonials |
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The Fellow’s Fund has been immensely integral to the Mawazo Fellowship Programme! It has supported Fellows’ research activities ranging from laboratory tests, field work, conference travel, specialized training, research translation activities, to cross-sector collaborations (including placements at non-academic institutions). In this issue, we highlight testimonials from four recipients of the fund.
To support these next generation of African leaders and innovators, donate here.
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‘’The funds helped me to carry out epidemiological surveys and collect blood and urine samples from Urogenital Schistosomiasis (UGS)-infected individuals in the Atiba Local Government Areas of South-west Nigeria. The grant specifically enabled me to collect 197 blood and urine samples and a further 25 out of 50 samples in the schistosomiasis infection-only group. Individuals whose urine samples were screened and found to be infected received praziquantel treatment.”
Adedoyin Adeboye (NRA) - 2023 Mawazo Fellow
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"I used the $2,470 fund to pay for high-risk HPV testing of 223 samples (111 cervical and 112 urine) using a Gene-expert assay at the Machakos Cancer Center molecular lab. The results obtained from the HPV testing in both samples (urine and cervical) have provided me with the data whose analysis shall address one of the objectives of my PhD work."
Loise Nthambi (KEN) - 2023 Mawazo Fellow
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"I received $995 from the Fund, enabling me to attend two conferences that have had an immense impact on my academic and professional goals. It provided me with the opportunity to present my research findings and published two articles in international research journals. Thus, I fulfilled a mandatory requirement for a PhD graduation according to the Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU) Standards. In addition, the platform also provided me with professional networking and potential future collaborations in research.
Miriam Laiser (TZ) - 2023 Mawazo Fellow
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“The $2,200 boost has significantly enhanced my practical laboratory skills, making me be more proficient in executing complex microbiological assays while gaining in-depth knowledge of Antibiotic Resistance patterns among Listeria monocytogenes strains. It has also deepened my grasp of the mechanisms behind antibiotic resistance, essential for any microbiologist’s academic and professional growth. I believe the research activity will contribute to food safety through better understanding of antibiotic resistance and virulence profiles hence the development of better food safety practices.”
Loveth Oyewo (NRA) - 2023 Mawazo Fellow
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The Mawazo Institute has now been supporting Fellows since 2018, and the network of African women researchers we have created just crossed the 90 mark. Through our Connects Network, we continue to engage and support all the women who have gone through our Fellowship Programme. To illustrate the impactful work of our researchers, we will be spotlighting two women among our Alumni in every newsletter:
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Milcah Wambua (KEN) - 2021 Mawazo Fellow |
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2021 Mawazo Fellow Milcah Wambua is pursuing her PhD in Food Sciences at Egerton University, Kenya and has been participating in a community outreach project for farmers across Kenya. An initiative of Egerton University funded by the World Bank, the project is called the Center of Excellence in Sustainable Agriculture and Agribusiness or CEESAM. Milcah is aiding CEESAM as an expert trainer on value addition of agricultural products, more specifically Cassava. Although a large part of Kenya’s economy is based on agriculture, there is very little value addition to the products, meaning that farmers sell their products at undervalued prices. One of the goals of the project is to train farmers across the country on climate smart agriculture, soil management, crop management, feed formulations, and the value addition of agricultural products to minimize post-harvest losses and ensure maximum profit.
CEESAM has allowed Milcah to share her research findings with relevant stakeholders and help to sensitize about the importance of cassava as a food security crop and an industrial raw material.
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Elizabeth Benson (KEN) - 2018 Mawazo Fellow |
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Elizabeth Benson, a 2018 Mawazo Fellow, recently defended her thesis successfully in Computer Science at Strathmore University, Kenya. Elizabeth has consistently been a trailblazer, intent on bringing other women in tech forward with her. Over the years, she has undertaken several initiatives including starting her own mentorship programme for marginalised high school girls, the Rural Young Tech, within her company Joasher Technologies and Consultancy. She is also a General Chair for the Deep Learning Indaba Conference in Africa, which will take place in Dakar, Senegal, this year and a Core Chair of Deep Learning Indaba X, which will take place at Pwani University, Kenya. As part of policy engagement efforts, Elizabeth was among a cohort of tech experts who petitioned a Kenyan parliamentary departmental committee on ICTs, to reject a new robotics bill due to its perceived gaps and lack of grounding in policy and research. Elizabeth continues to encourage other researchers in STEM by organizing the inaugural African Computer Vision Summer School (in July 2024) at the Microsoft Research Institute in Nairobi, Kenya.
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Mawazo Alumni at the IPA/PEP Impact Workshop |
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Two Mawazo alumni Dr. Trizah Koyi Milugo and Ms. Lorine Nyongesa attended the Impact evaluation research methods and grant proposal writing workshop at the KCA University, Nairobi, Kenya on 29th January and 2nd February 2024. The event was a brainchild of Innovation for Poverty Action (IPA) in partnership with Partnership for Economic Policy (PEP). Here is what the two said about the benefits of the workshop:
“I learnt new concepts that I will share with my current students. Currently I am teaching Research Methods to master’s students and the concepts covered during the workshop fit within my course outline. Further, I had the opportunity to interact with colleagues from different disciplines and institutions, some of whom have agreed to develop a proposal for possible funding. It was such a great learning opportunity and I appreciate the connection through the Mawazo institute.” Dr. Trizah Milugo, a lecturer at the Technical University of Kenya.
Ms. Lorine Nyongesa of Dalberg Research says: “This was my first encounter with methods used to evaluate impact. As I plan to get my lab research to the public, this is a timely workshop for me. I have learnt concepts in randomized control trials (RCT) that will help me design research studies better after the doctorate. I now see the path to field testing and scaling of the concept of biocontrol of insect pests. The lessons and concepts have been insightful. The workshop helped me to practice new lessons and make new connections. I am grateful to the Mawazo Institute for connecting me to this opportunity to learn and network. I look forward to more of these, and hope that other Fellows can also benefit from such workshops in the future.”
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Mawazo Team at the Fishbowl Challenge Event |
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On the 17th of February, Mawazo collaborated with Fishbowl for an ideas exchange event between our Fellows & Alumni and the social enterprises who qualified for the Fishbowl challenge. The event was geared towards enhancing the start-ups using the expert opinions and guidance of our Fellows.
Thanks to our Strategic Partnerships lead Elaine Mungai, we were able to match the teams of the social pilot with Fellows & Alumni whose expertise were relevant to the industry fields. The idea was to allow for the research experience of our experts to be fully utilized in consultative sessions with the start-ups as they would have a clear understanding of the relevant landscape and parameters required to make these ventures a success.
The one-hour session underlined the necessity to give women researchers a space to contribute to start-ups and enhance their products and services for the benefit of not only the company’s growth but also improved consumer satisfaction. For this reason, we continue to advocate for the appreciation of the unique perspectives of African women researchers, especially for products geared towards improving the lives of African women.
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Mawazo Joins the 3rd Edition of AMLD Africa |
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This year, Mawazo had the honor of being invited to the Applied Machine Learning Days Community Day at the United States International University, Kenya, on February 26th.
The event was an opportunity for the organization to speak on our recent works, a task ably performed by the Strategic Partnerships Lead, Elaine Mungai and a speed dating desk manned by other representatives of the Mawazo staff. The sessions allowed us to talk to the eager young minds about opportunities available with Mawazo, our events and interaction with two of our current fellows.
Mercy Mawia and Aminata Dembele of our 2023 Mawazo Fellows were present to talk to the eager potentials during the speed dating session on how they qualified for the programme and the various ways we support our Fellows.
Mawazo alumni Dr. Marylin Ronoh and Dr. Elizabeth Benson were also at hand to give presentations on the amazing work they are doing with AI.
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We are excited to announce that two of Mawazo Fellows have published two articles in reputable journals.
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Thandile Gule (2023 Mawazo Fellow) |
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2023 Mawazo Fellow Thandile Gule, of Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, has published a research paper titled “Factors impacting water quality and quantity in rapidly expanding urban areas based on the DPSIR model: experiences and challenges from Addis Ababa City, Ethiopia”. The paper highlights important empirical understanding of how urban water supply and quality are impacted by environmental stresses on a global scale and the development of sustainable water management policies and practices. Gule highly recommends an integrated approach to managing the risks of declining water quality and shortage. It has been published in the Environmental Science and Pollution Research Journal.
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Rogia Gomez (2021 Mawazo Fellow) |
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2021 Mawazo Fellow Rogia Gomez of Sokoine University of Agriculture in Tanzania, has published two articles, after struggling to publish for at least a year; “Assessment of Biosecurity Practices Adoption in Broiler Farms in East Africa: Case Study of Pwani Region in Tanzania” and “Classification and Productivity of Smallholder Broiler Farms in the Pwani Region, Tanzania”. She is thankful to her Mawazo Mentor, Dr. Isabella Mandl, who has been instrumental in supporting her in her journey to publish, and to Mawazo for helping fund her data collection. With the publication of the two papers, Rogia has met the eligibility requirements in publishing for defending her doctoral thesis at her university.
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Mawazo has Inclusive & Supportive Systems |
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"I love working at Mawazo because every individual and their ideas are valued. It's inspiring to be surrounded by colleagues from different backgrounds who bring unique insights - you get to learn a lot from them. It's precisely this inclusivity and supportive atmosphere at Mawazo that attracts individuals like myself who work in tech, who often feel relegated to the background, fixing bugs or managing servers. Here, it feels different. The culture embraces everyone's contributions, regardless of their role or background. This kind of environment not only encourages us to step out of the shadows but also empowers us to bring our unique insights and ideas to the forefront. It's incredibly fulfilling to be part of a community where everyone's voice is heard and respected, regardless of their position or field of expertise."
Rose Kairu - Associate Software Engineer, Mawazo Institute
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Support Africa's Next Generation of Change-makers |
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You can help us shape the future of women researchers on the continent by making a donation. No amount is too small – or too big. Make a donation today via debit/credit card, Paypal, or MPESA.
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