The Aga Khan University’s Brain and Mind Institute (AKU-BMI) has partnered with Boston Medical Center to nurture the next generation of leaders in global mental health research. Through this collaboration, AKU-BMI serves as an international training site for a NIMH-funded Global Psychiatry Clinical Research Training Program.
This partnership brings together complementary strengths across institutions and geographies, with a shared commitment to advance mental health through rigorous, collaborative research.
Training and Mentorship in Practice
As part of this collaboration, AKU-BMI hosts postdoctoral fellows from Boston Medical Center, offering an immersive, practice-based learning experience. Fellows are embedded within ongoing BMI research in Kenya, working alongside local teams to engage with real-world mental health challenges.
During their placement, fellows deepen their expertise in global mental health research, implementation science and cross-cultural clinical research, supported by a joint mentorship model that brings together faculty from both AKU-BMI and Boston Medical Center.
This integrated approach fosters meaningful exchange across contexts and supports fellows as they transition into independent research careers.
Context-Driven Research with Global Reach
Research conducted through this partnership is informed by lived experience while contributing to global evidence. Fellows work on projects that are responsive to community needs, ensuring both relevance and impact, while adhering to rigorous ethical and regulatory standards in Kenya.
Through this collaboration, BMI continues to drive research capacity in Africa, supporting local leadership and deepening international partnerships, contributing to the region’s growing role as a hub for global mental health research and training.
