As the health care landscape shifts rapidly under the weight of artificial intelligence, digital health innovations, and complex policy demands, a new mandate has emerged for the next generation of scientists: collaborate or stagnate.
This was the resounding message at the recent two-day Early Career Health Researchers Conference, where experts made a call to dismantle traditional academic silos. The consensus? Meaningful scientific breakthroughs only happen when nursing, medicine, public health, data science, and social sciences converge to solve real-world problems.
The era of the "lone genius" researcher is fading. As the health care system grows more complex, the need for diverse perspectives becomes critical.
“We cannot advance health research in silos,” said Dr Helen Nabwera, Associate Professor, Paediatrics and Child Health at the Aga Khan University. “Meaningful progress depends on working across disciplines and drawing strength from each other’s expertise.”
Dr Nabwera’s keynote speech set the tone for the event, highlighting that solutions must be grounded in frontline realities – something that can only be achieved when data scientists listen to nurses, and policymakers listen to clinicians.
Beyond technical collaboration, the conference addressed the human side of research: the resilience required to survive in a demanding field.
In his keynote address, Professor Kamija Phiri championed the vital role of mentorship. He noted that navigating the uncertainties of scientific work requires more than just intellect. It requires a guide who can challenge, support, and steer young researchers through the inevitable hurdles of their careers.
The conference attracted over 300 participants from universities, medical and nursing schools, research and innovation hubs, hospitals and referral centres, county and national government health departments, NGOs, youth health organisations, and professional and student associations.
Sessions explored a wide range of emerging priorities in health research, including innovations in health care, health systems, equity and policy, mental health, quality of care and patient safety, as well as screening and diagnostics. Through multiple oral and poster presentations, early-career researchers seized the opportunity to showcase their work, receiving critical feedback from peers and senior scientists.
In his opening remarks, Professor Lukoye Atwoli emphasized the Aga Khan University’s commitment to strengthening collaborative research ecosystems. He noted that by fostering a culture where diverse participants cover the “entire range of the health care enterprise,” the institution can accelerate the translation of scientific discovery into practical solutions.
Dr David Andai from Afiadata Kenya and Dr Morgan Muchemi from Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital emerged as the overall winner and runners-up respectively during the oral presentation.
Ms Nasha Ayiera from Centre for Innovation in Medical Education, Aga Khan University emerged as the overall winner during the poster presentation with Dr Pavanraj Chana from Clinical Research Unit, Aga Khan University taking the runners-up position.
