Aga Khan University, Institute for Human Development
Dr Bilha Chepchirchir
Aga Khan University, Institute for Human Development
Dr Chepchirchir is a postdoctoral fellow at the Institute for Human Development. She holds a PhD in Natural Science (chemistry) from Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg and a master of philosophy in Environmental Health from Moi University. She has experience in pollution monitoring using innovative sensors, laboratory instrumental analysis (GC-MS, LC-HRMS), and environmental modelling. Her research interests lie in environmental and health risks associated with chemicals around us and in the climate change˗environment˗health nexus.
Dr Bilha Chepchirchir
University of Cape Town, Department of Psychiatry & Mental Health
Dr Farai Mberi
University of Cape Town, Department of Psychiatry & Mental Health
Dr Farai Mberi is a postdoctoral fellow in the Brain-Behavior Unit at the University of Cape Town (UCT) Department of Psychiatry & Mental Health. His current research investigates resting-state fMRI correlates of early neuro-behavioural developmental outcomes in children exposed to antenatal depression. His research interests, stemming from his doctoral work at UCT, are primarily centered on the effects of HIV infection and exposure on the developing brain. He is an expert in utilizing neuroimaging techniques to identify white matter differences and investigate the potential consequences for functional and structural brain organization. Additionally, he leverages his analytical skills as a data analyst for the African Brain Health Genome Project (since December 2023). Before joining UCT in 2017, he served as a Biosafety Officer at the National Biotechnology Authority of Zimbabwe.
Dr Farai Mberi
University of Cape Town, Neuroscience Institute & AI Research Unit
Irene Nandutu
University of Cape Town, Neuroscience Institute & AI Research Unit
Ms. Irene is a Postdoctoral fellow working with Prof Kirsty Donald and Assistant Prof Deshen Moodley. She is attached to the Neuroscience Institute and the Artificial Intelligence Research Unit at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. She is participating in a collaborative research project on designing human-centred AI systems to enhance scientific knowledge discovery and machine learning approaches in neuroscience. This research aims to understand the current state-of-the-art machine learning techniques used in neuroscience research within Sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, we will design an ontology and a predictive model to inform neuroscientists about the possible factors and outcomes that could affect early childhood brain development in the region. Finally, we shall utilise the insights gained from these efforts to develop machine learning techniques and detect the factors affecting early childhood brain development.
Irene Nandutu
Aga Khan University, Institute for Human Development
Dr. Japheth Adina
Aga Khan University, Institute for Human Development
Dr Adina is a clinical psychologist and currently a postdoctoral research fellow at the Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University. He has a PhD in clinical and developmental psychology from the University of Queensland, Australia, with over ten years of expertise in clinical research and academic teaching. His current research focuses on the intersection of maternal perinatal depression, parenting, and child development. Specifically, how behavioural family interventions can assist women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) with subsyndromal symptomatic perinatal depression in improving their parenting efficacy, confidence, and responsiveness as mechanisms for fostering a positive postpartum experience for mothers and putting infants on a positive health and developmental trajectory.
Dr. Japheth Adina
University of Zambia
Dr Magdalene Simalalo
University of Zambia
Magdalene is a Doctor of Inclusive Education from the University of South Africa, and a Lecturer, Researcher and Consultant in special and inclusive education at the University of Zambia. Dr Simalalo has been working as a teacher, educator and researchers for over fourteen years. She is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Zambia, under the supervision of Professor Beatrice Matafwali and Dr Paul Ravi. Her research focuses on social emotional resilience in children with dyslexia, by promoting healthy mental status, interrogating specific interventions in social emotional wellness to enhance academic progress.
Dr Magdalene Simalalo
University of Cape Town
Dr Marlie Miles
University of Cape Town
Dr Marlie Miles is a postdoctoral fellow in paediatric imaging and clinical neuroscience, whose PhD built on a longitudinal study of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, integrating paediatric and neonatal MRI neuroimaging. From 2021 to 2023, she managed the Khula LEAP project — overseeing community-based data collection, team coordination, and funder compliance — deepening her engagement with maternal and child mental health in South Africa. Her current work examines amygdala-prefrontal connectivity in children exposed to antenatal distress and the impact of early trauma on ADHD, using data from the Drakenstein Child Health Study. Dr. Miles aims to inform early-intervention strategies and deepen our understanding of early childhood adversity and the importance of maternal mental health on childhood development. She aims to obtain an MBChB in the next few years to integrate clinical insight with her research and work toward becoming a clinician scientist.
Dr Marlie Miles
University of Cape Town, Neuroscience Institute & Department of Paediatrics &Child Health
Monika Kamkuemah
University of Cape Town, Neuroscience Institute & Department of Paediatrics &Child Health
Monika is a Junior Research Fellow in the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health and Neuroscience Institute at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. She obtained her PhD from the School of Public Health and Family Medicine at the University of Cape Town. Her research explored Multimorbidity in adolescents and youth living with HIV, with a particular focus on Non-Communicable Diseases risk factors, prevention, and mental health in the context of urbanisation and epidemiological transition. Monika is passionate about urban health and the built and nutritional environments within cities and explored climate resilience, citizen science and ways to future-proof health systems, which she explored in her postdoctoral work. She will be working with Professor Kirsty Donald to support the research activities in the Neuroscience Institute.
Monika Kamkuemah
University of Zambia, Department of Psychiatry in the School of Medicine
Dr Nosiku Munyinda
University of Zambia, Department of Psychiatry in the School of Medicine
Dr Nosiku is a Post Doctoral Fellow at the University of Zambia, Department of Psychiatry in the School of Medicine. She is working with Dr Paul Ravi and Professor Beatrice Matafwali. Her Project focuses on Examining Lead exposure and its effects on Cognitive development: the Case of Kabwe District, Zambia. With this project, she hopes to examine the influence of lead exposure on cognitive development in children in a resource limited setting.
Dr Nosiku Munyinda
Aga Khan University, Institute for Human Development
Dr Patrick Mwangala
Aga Khan University, Institute for Human Development
Patrick is a Research Specialist and a postdoctoral fellow at the Institute for Human Development, supporting the ALMA network. He is specifically working on a project that seeks to understand women’s mental health needs and tailor programmes that address these needs in rural and urban informal settlements in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kwale Counties in Kenya. His PhD at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa examined the psychological and functional outcomes of ageing with HIV and their biopsychosocial determinants in a low-literacy Kenyan setting. Patrick has a strong background in health research.
Dr Patrick Mwangala
Aga Khan University, Institute for Human Development
Dr Ronald Kipkirui
Aga Khan University, Institute for Human Development
Ronald, currently a Post Doc Fellow at the Institute for Human Development, has an interdisciplinary background including in neuroscience. He has experience applying neuroscientific techniques such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Electroencephalography (EEG). Previously, he applied TMS to understand the causal role of distinct brain areas in various aspects of human cognition, including executive functions such as the working memory. He has also been involved in studies assessing the neurophysiology and neuropsychology of behavioural addictions. Ronald is passionate about studying the neurophysiology of developmental disorders, particularly in children and adolescents, and examining conditions like HIV and Sickle Cell Disease. He has conducted research in Kenya, Asia, and Europe, where he also pursued his BSC, MSc and PhD studies. He is committed to advancing research in neurodevelopmental disorders and disease-related neuropsychological challenges.
