Empowering Kenyan Women in Research, Career, and Leadership Workshop
June 03, 2026 - June 04, 2026
Online: Zoom
About This Workshop
Women constitute a significant proportion of frontline healthcare practitioners, providing essential healthcare services and contributing to the overall well-being of communities. The Alliance for Cardio-Metabolic Health and Research Kenya (ACMHR-K) successfully organised a two-day mentorship workshop focused on research, career development, and leadership. The workshop was designed to empower Kenyan women from diverse backgrounds, including women currently involved in research as well as those aspiring to pursue careers in research and medical fields. This impactful program brought together accomplished women leaders, researchers, and professionals who shared their experiences, insights, and mentorship with participants eager to advance their careers, strengthen their leadership skills, and expand their research potential.
Workshop Objectives
- Workshop Objectives
- To empower Kenyan women with the knowledge, skills, and confidence required to advance their careers in research and other professional fields.
- To strengthen research and leadership capacity by providing mentorship, guidance, and practical insights from experienced researchers and women leaders.
- To promote networking and professional development by creating opportunities for collaboration, career growth, and peer support among participants.
Key Highlights & Impact
- Research Career Development and Mentorship – Participants gained insights into career pathways in research, mentorship opportunities, and strategies for professional growth.
- Women’s Leadership and Empowerment – Discussions focused on building leadership skills, overcoming barriers, and increasing women's participation in leadership roles.
- Networking and Collaboration – The workshop provided a platform for participants to connect with researchers, professionals, and peers, fostering future collaborations and support networks.
- Promoting Gender Equity in Research Fields – Participants explored strategies for increasing the representation and advancement of women in research and healthcare.
Workshop Details
- Date Jun 03, 2026 - Jun 04, 2026
- Location Online: Zoom
- Speakers 4
Speakers
Meet Our Speakers
Vijayalakshmi Selvakumar, PhD
Rochester University
United States
Dr. Vijayalakshmi Selvakumar is a multidisciplinary researcher specializing in microbiology, immunology, and cancer biology, with over 10 years of international research and teaching experience across the United States, South Korea, and India. She is a Postdoctoral Associate at the University of Rochester, where she is advancing cutting-edge research in cancer biology and microbiome science. Previously she served at different capacities at Kangwon National University and Kyungpook National University, contributing as a Research Professor, Postdoctoral Fellow, and Research Assistant Professor. During this time, she led projects in gut microbiota modulation, metabolomics, functional foods, and immunomodulatory therapies. Before she moved to South Korea, Dr. Vijayalakshmi was a Research Scientist Askoscen Probionics R&D, India. Dr. Vjay has also been an Adjunct Professor, and Assistant Professor. Dr. Vijayalakshmi has authored over 48 peer-reviewed publications in high-impact international journals and has contributed to multiple book chapters in microbiology and biotechnology. Her research has been supported by international funding bodies, including the National Research Foundation of Korea (BK21 program). She also serves as a Review Editor for Frontiers in Microbiology and Associate Editor for the Journal of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Through this program, Dr. Vijayalakshmi will share her expertise, mentorship, and global perspective to inspire and empower women to excel in research, leadership, and beyond.
Grace Misere, PhD
Senior Specialist School
Australia
Dr. Grace Misere is a dedicated mathematics educator, leader, and mentor with over 16 years of experience across secondary and tertiary education. She holds a Bachelor of Education (Science) in Mathematics and Physics from Moi University in Kenya, a Master of Science in Mathematical Sciences from the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) Kenya, a Master of Philosophy in Mathematics from the University of Ghana, and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mathematics from La Trobe University, Australia. She is currently a Deputy Principal at a senior specialist school in Australia, where she provides strategic leadership, supports inclusive education practices, and champions student wellbeing and academic success. Her leadership journey is grounded in collaboration, empowerment, and a strong commitment to creating opportunities for both staff and students to thrive.
Malathi Dona, PhD
Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute
Australia
Dr. Malathi received her PhD in Statistics from La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia, in 2018. During her PhD, she developed novel statistical methods to analyse large-scale omics data and discover disease-associated genes. After completing a short postdoctoral position at the University of Melbourne in 2019, Malathi joined the Cardiac Cellular Systems Laboratory at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute as a Research Officer to apply her bioinformatics expertise to cardiovascular research. Her research focused on developing advanced bioinformatics pipelines to study complex cardiovascular tissues, including the heart, aorta and liver, to better understand cellular changes that contribute to disease development. With more than 12 years of experience in bioinformatics, Malathi is currently working as a Senior Research Officer in the Systems Medicine and Bioinformatics Laboratory at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute. Malathi uses cutting-edge computational biology and bioinformatics approaches to integrate single-cell omics technologies with large-scale population-level biobank data to gain deeper
Violet Goro
Ewha Womans University
South Korea
Ms Violet Goro is an education specialist and development practitioner with expertise in educational technology, curriculum innovation, research, and development cooperation. She holds a Bachelor of Education (Arts) with First Class Honors from Kenyatta University and a Master of Education Technology. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Development Cooperation from Ewha Womans University, South Korea. Her professional work focuses on leveraging technology and innovative educational approaches to improve learning outcomes, strengthen educational systems, and promote sustainable development. With a strong background in research and evaluation, she is committed to generating evidence-based solutions that enhance educational quality and impact. Goro's key interests include advancing quality education through technology and innovation, building institutional and human capacity for sustainable educational development, and empowering learners and communities through knowledge sharing, collaboration, and leadership.