Kemri-Wellcome Trust research program launched a book of scientist’s story. The book titled ‘The 12 Remarkable African Life Scientists’ seeks to raise awareness and profile of research science targeted at secondary schools’ students, Universities to relevant stakeholders and institutions.
The inspirational 12-chapter book delves into telling remarkable stories of 12 top African scientists who have made significant impact on population health or health science. The book tells life stories of the 12 researchers who have reached prominence from humble backgrounds to inspire young people.
Speaking at the launch, Kemri-Wellcome Trust Research program, Ag Executive Director, Prof Edwine Barasa, said that there is a need to mentor young Africans to know that they can also contribute to global impact by finding solutions to emerging health problems in Africa and beyond.
“One of the things we are keen on as a research organization is to engage with schools to get to encourage students to take up research careers,” Prof Barasa said adding that “what this book does is to show students that it is indeed possible for young African across the African continent to dare to dream to be a scientist that can make an impact at the global stage.”
According to the author of the book, Dr. Tabitha Mwangi, a former KWTRP scientist who is now working in the United Kingdom, the book targets High school going children but also useful in shaping students already in university in shaping their research science career journeys.
Dr Tabitha added that, “From the 10 years’ experience, we find that African scientists hold potential as role models to inspire local students and to shatter pre-existing scientist stereotypes. Life stories of researchers who have reached prominence from humble backgrounds are likely to inspire local school students. This aligns with the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Schools Engagement Programme (SEP) overarching aim – promoting an interest in science through interactions between researchers, students, and teachers.”
“The book elaborates stories from 12 African researchers who have broken the proverbial glass ceiling in the field of research despite their humble backgrounds. This book aims at inspiring the young people towards research,” she said.
The book also aims at promoting an interest in science through interactions between researchers, students, and teachers.
Over the past 10 years, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Schools Engagement Programme (SEP) has been engaging local schools with the aim of raising students’ awareness of leading African science; to stimulate students’ interest in pursuing careers in science.
