LAY MEMBERS TRAINING OF TRAINERS WORKSHOPS

Description

TRAINING OF TRAINERS WORKSHOP FOR LAY MEMBERS

Objectives

Presenters

1. Prof. Elizabeth Bukusi
   Prof. Bukusi: (MBChB, M.Med (ObGyn), MPH, PhD, PGD (Research Ethics), MBE) is a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences (FAAS). She is a Senior Principal Clinical Research Scientist at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), a Research Professor at the University of Washington (Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Global health), and an honorary lecturer at Aga Khan University in Nairobi and Maseno University (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology) and Volunteer Clinical faculty – Professor at the University of California San Francisco (Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences) and Visiting faculty at the Centre for Biomedical Research and Ethics and Culture (CBEC0 at the Sind Institute for Urology and Transplantation (SIUT). Prof. Bukusi, in collaboration with Dr. Craig Cohen at UCSF, established the KEMRI Research Care and Training Program (RCTP) in 1995. She was the first lead faculty for the Bioethics program at Amref International University (AMIU) from its inception until Prof. Elizabeth Bukusi Prof. Bukusi: (MBChB, M.Med (ObGyn), MPH, PhD, PGD (Research Ethics), MBE) is a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences (FAAS). She is a Senior Principal Clinical Research Scientist at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), a Research Professor at the University of Washington (Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Global health), and an honorary lecturer at Aga Khan University in Nairobi and Maseno University (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology) and Volunteer Clinical faculty – Professor at the University of California San Francisco (Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences) and Visiting faculty at the Centre for Biomedical Research and Ethics and Culture (CBEC0 at the Sind Institute for Urology and Transplantation (SIUT). Prof. Bukusi, in collaboration with Dr. Craig Cohen at UCSF, established the KEMRI Research Care and Training Program (RCTP) in 1995. She was the first lead faculty for the Bioethics program at Amref International University (AMIU) from its inception until August 2025, and she continues to serve as a faculty member in the program. In addition to substantial experience in conducting socio-behavioral and biomedical research and providing HIV care, mentoring and training health care and research personnel to enhance local and international capacity, she has a strong interest in research and clinical ethics and the development of systems and structures for regulation of research. She was the founding chairperson of the National Bioethics Society of Kenya, (BSK), a board member of AVAC, and chaired the WHO HRP Alliance (capacity building for RH research) 2016 to 2021, and is a trustee for the HIV Trust.
   KEMRI


2. Mrs Caroline Kithinji
   Ms. Kithinji is a seasoned bioethicist with over 20 years of experience in research ethics governance, capacity building, and committee leadership in Kenya and the wider African region. She currently serves as Head of Training at the Scientific and Ethics Review Unit (SERU) of the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and as Adjunct Faculty and Coordinator of the Master in Bioethics program at AMREF International University. She has extensive experience serving on and leading institutional ethics committees and Data Safety and Monitoring Boards, including roles as Vice Chair of the Aga Khan University Hospital Ethics Committee, Secretary of the Bioethics Society of Kenya, and DSMB Chair/Member for multi-country clinical trials. Caroline is a Certified IRB Professional (PRIM&R), a Fogarty African Bioethics Fellow, and has published on research ethics systems, informed consent processes, and the intersection of ethics and cultural contexts in Africa. She brings proven expertise in ensuring ethical rigor in research while remaining responsive to local contexts.
   KEMRI