KAVI Institute of Clinical Research

17/03/2026

Washington State University Global was celebrating the 10th anniversary of WSU Global Health-Kenya and during the ceremony it recognized its partners in achieving its mandate. KAVI-ICR was recognized as a key partner in this regard through the NIH D43 grant in which KAVI collaborated with WSU in training medical and veterinary doctors in their PhD under the One Health framework. All the PhD students have now finished, with 4 having graduated, 4 waiting to defend their thesis and 1 waiting to submit his thesis for examination

12/03/2026

We are excited to announce that our director, Marianne Wanjiru Mureithi joined the WomenLift Health 2026 East Africa Leadership Journey, as part of a cohort of 60 who are shaping the future of health across this region.
This is not a typical leadership program. It is a transformational learning and development experience intentionally designed for the complex realities we navigate every day, grounded in the lived context of this region, and built to strengthen leadership that is authentic, inclusive, strategic, and impactful.
Over the next 12 months, she will be deepening her leadership practice alongside some of the most remarkable women in this space, building the mindset, tools, and networks needed to tackle the most pressing challenges facing health systems and communities today.

Learn more about the journey and meet the incredible women she will be walking this path with: https://lnkd.in/dx2A-wrm hashtag hashtag

08/03/2026

Today at KAVI Institute of Clinical Research, University of Nairobi, we celebrate the incredible women who drive innovation, research, and impact in health science.

Your dedication, resilience, and brilliance continue to shape the future of science and inspire the next generation of women leaders.

Happy International Women’s Day!
University of Nairobi Faculty of Health Sciences

26/02/2026

🎉 We’re proud of our own! 🎉
Our researcher, Joel Musando, represented Eastern Africa at the IDA Symposia held in Stellenbosch, South Africa.
He presented exciting research on immune responses in Kenyan patients with viral infections and received valuable feedback from fellow scientists and mentors from across Africa. The meeting also offered hands-on training in grant writing and research communication.
At KAVI Institute of Clinical Research at the University of Nairobi, we celebrate opportunities that build confidence, foster collaboration, and drive impactful science.
👏 Congratulations, Joel!

26/02/2026

KAVI-ICR recently hosted Silk Origin Limited, and University of Nairobi represented by Prof. George Abong, and Prof. Marc Zolver for strategic discussions focused on advancing sericulture-driven innovation (SeriHealth) through strong academic–industry partnerships.
These innovations, such as biomedical materials demonstrate the growing potential of sericulture to contribute to both human health and economic development.
Speaking during the visit, KAVI-ICR Director Dr. Marianne Mureithi emphasised that innovation is central to the institute’s mission, noting that meaningful impact is achieved when academic research is intentionally linked to industry. Prof. Omu Anzala further highlighted that partnerships like SeriHealth ensure scientific discoveries move beyond the laboratory to deliver tangible societal benefits.
Through initiatives such as SeriHealth, KAVI-ICR continues to strengthen its role as a bridge between science and industry, transforming research into solutions that improve health, livelihoods, and sustainability.

18/02/2026

Despite major advances in HIV prevention and treatment, persistent inequities, emerging drug resistance, and recent global funding cuts threaten progress and the future of HIV vaccine R&D. An effective HIV vaccine remains essential to ending the epidemic. This IAS–IAVI Timely Topic Webinar will ex...

18/02/2026

KAVI-Institute of Clinical Research (KAVI-ICR), University of Nairobi, recently conducted a courtesy visit to Migori County Referral Hospital

The visit provided an opportunity to engage with hospital leadership and laboratory teams on strengthening collaboration, joint research initiatives, capacity building, and clinical partnerships. We were encouraged by the strong systems in place and the Migori team’s openness to collaboration, both of which are essential to ensuring that research translates into improved health outcomes for communities.

We thank the Migori County Referral Hospital leadership and staff for their warm reception and constructive discussions, and we look forward to building this collaboration.

18/02/2026

On Friday, 30 January 2026, KAVI-Institute of Clinical Research (KAVI-ICR) hosted an Open House in conjunction with the University of Nairobi Collaborative HIV/STI/Reproductive Health Research Group Annual Meeting.

The event brought together established researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and postgraduate students from the University of Nairobi Faculty of Health Sciences, the University of Washington, University of Manitoba, Kenya Medical Research Institute, JKUAT, among others. Guests had the opportunity to learn about KAVI-ICR’s research portfolio, ongoing clinical trials, training programmes, and our vision for future collaborations in Kenya and globally.

We were privileged to hear from our Director, Dr. Marianne Mureithi, and from KAVI-ICR’s founding Director, Prof. Omu Anzala, who shared valuable historical reflections on the institute’s growth.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to meaningful conversations and partnerships.

Julie Lajoie

12/02/2026

Science is beautiful — and so are the journeys behind it.

We are incredibly proud to celebrate our very own Akiso Matrona Mbendo, whose inspiring story of resilience, determination, and excellence has been featured in the Nation.

From losing years of school to becoming a PhD scientist, her journey reminds us that setbacks do not define us purpose and perseverance do.

At KAVI Institute of Clinical Research (KAVI-ICR), University of Nairobi, we are honoured to nurture scientists like Matrona who are shaping the future of health research in Kenya and beyond.

Congratulations, Matrona, you inspire us all.

🔗 Read her story here: https://nation.africa/kenya/news/gender/-science-is-beautiful-the-girl-who-lost-years-of-school-and-became-a-phd-scientist-5355576

University of Nairobi Faculty of Health Sciences Thomas Hope Julie Lajoie

Matrona Mbendo Akiso studies the vaginal microbiome.

11/02/2026

KAVI-ICR celebrating the brilliant women powering our science and shaping better health for our communities. KAVI Institute of Clinical Research University of Nairobi

11/02/2026

At KAVI Institute of Clinical Research (KAVI-ICR), we proudly celebrated the women whose excellence, leadership, and dedication continue to drive our science and strengthen public health impact. Their contributions shape the future of clinical research every day.

We also recognise the men across our teams who actively support, collaborate, and champion an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. Progress in science is built together.

We are proud of the entire KAVI-ICR community.

University of Nairobi University of Nairobi Faculty of Health Sciences

10/02/2026

During Cultural Week, KAVI-ICR was proud to mentor and support students of University of Nairobi University of Nairobi Faculty of Health Sciences and AMSUN . Thank you Julie Gichuru for spending time with them and inspiring their journey into medicine and leadership. Moments like these strengthen the pipeline of compassionate doctors for our communities.