FUNDAMENTALS OF BIOETHICS CERTIFICATE COURSE

Description

FUNDAMENTALS OF BIOETHICS CERTIFICATE COURSE

Objectives

Presenters

1. Prof. Elizabeth Bukusi
   PROF. ELIZABETH 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). She also serves as 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 Ethics and Culture (CBEC) at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT). She is an honorary lecturer for the Master of Science in One Health and Emergency Research Ethics (MOHERE) program at the Department of Public Health Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Nairobi.
   KEMRI, FAAS, University of Washington, Aga Khan University


2. Mrs Caroline Kithinji
   MS. CAROLINE 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.
   KEMRI, AMREF University.


3. Prof. Stephen Muhudhia
   PROF. STEPHEN MUHUDHIA is a medical doctor, a specialist paediatrician practicing at The Nairobi Hospital. He is also a Specialist in Bioethics with a Masters degree in Bioethics and Health Law in addition to a Postgraduate Diploma in Biomedical Ethics. He is an adjunct professor of bioethics and was the co-director Africa Bioethics Initiative at Trinity International University in Illinois, USA, 2018 to 2025. He is involved in teaching masters courses in Bioethics at Amref International University and Mount Kenya University. He is also faculty for the CBEC-KEMRI Bioethics Training Initiative which conducts certificate courses in Bioethics. Prof. Muhudhia is the Chair of the Bioethics Society of Kenya
   KEMRI, Amref University, MKU, Kabarak University


4. Dr. Pascal Mwakio
   REV. DR. FR. PASCAL MWAKIO is a Catholic priest from the Archdiocese of Mombasa since 2004. He holds Bachelor’s degree in Philosophical studies from Urbaniana University-Rome, Bachelor’s degree in Theological studies, Masters and Doctoral degrees in Bioethics all from Regina Apostolorum University, Rome. He is the author of the book “The Right to Life and African Concepts about Life: A Bioethical Approach for Kenya, 2014.” Dr. Mwakio is the Bioethics Program Lead at AMIU (AMREF International University) and adjunct faculty at Mount Kenya University (MKU). Additionally, he is an external examiner at the University of Nairobi. Currently he is faculty at KEMRI’s Bioethics Training Initiative (CK-BTI). Rev. Dr serves as a member of the Coast General Training and Referral Hospital- Ethics Review Committee. He also belongs to the expert committee of the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO (KNATCOM) under the Social and Human Sciences Program. Dr. Pascal is a member of the Bioethics Society of Kenya. In the African Bioethics Network, he was recently appointed as a Co-Chair of two working groups: AI Ethics and Digital Health, and Conference, Convening and Strategic Engagement.
   AMREF International University, MKU, KEMRI CK-BTI, CGTRH,


5. Mrs Melba Katindi
   MS. MELBA KATINDI is a lawyer and bioethics scholar with over 14 years of experience at the intersection of law, health, and social justice. She holds an LL.B in Law, Postgraduate Diplomas in Law and Bioethics, and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Bioethics at Amref International University. She is the Vice Chair of the Bioethics Society of Kenya, Alternate Chair of KEMRI’s Scientific and Ethics Review Unit (Chair - Committee B) and serves as faculty with the CBEC-KEMRI Bioethics Training Initiative as well as Amref International University. Beyond academia, Ms. Katindi practices law with Katindi & Company Advocates in Nairobi and Machakos. She is also the Founder and Executive Director of Next Generation Lawyers, a female-led non-profit advancing human rights and health justice for populations marginalized by discriminatory laws, including criminalization. Her research and publications include a chapter in Bioethics from the Global South (Springer,2025), alongside extensive contributions to law reform, ethics review, and bioethics training across Africa. With her strong academic foundation and leadership in law, ethics, and advocacy, Ms. Katindi brings a unique and practical perspective to bioethics education.
   KEMRI, CK-BTI, AMREF IU, Katindi & Katindi Advocates