School Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences Hosts The Inaugural Annual Undergraduate Research And Innovation Symposium
By Francesca Otieno
On November 7, the School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences hosted the inaugural Undergraduate Research and Innovation Symposium themed “Innovation in Health Sciences: Bridging Research and Practice.”
Undergraduate students from various universities across Kenya presented research that tackled pressing health challenges and proposed practical, innovative solutions to transform the healthcare landscape.
Dr. Erick Lelo, Deputy Director at Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)’s Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, delivered the keynote address, urging students to pursue research with confidence and purpose, emphasizing that their work holds the power to create a lasting impact in the health sector.
The symposium concluded with an award ceremony recognizing outstanding research presentations. First place went to Mustaf Aden Abdinoor from USIU-Africa, for his presentation titled “In silico Evaluation of Phytochemicals from Tithonia diversifolia as Potential Muscle Relaxants.” In second place were Abdulnaim Mohammed Hussein and Bilal Mohammed Hussein from Kenyatta University, who presented “A Portable AI-Powered Wearable Device for Accessible and Radiation-Free Breast Cancer Screening.” Evelyn Mmabila Adongo, a Bachelor of Science in Epidemiology & Biostatistics alumna, Class of 2025, secured third place with her presentation on “Factors Contributing to Antimicrobial Misuse Among Students at USIU-Africa.”
These winners and all participants proved that research is indeed a powerful tool for those willing to explore, innovate, and make a difference. The symposium was further elevated by Prof. Amos Njuguna, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics - Transformative Teaching, Learning & Research, who reminded attendees that impactful research must not only generate new knowledge but also be cost-effective, revenue-generating, and focused on making drugs more affordable. His message, that health and financial accessibility go hand in hand, resonated deeply, leaving participants inspired and newly energized to pursue research that serves both science and society.
The inaugural Undergraduate Research and Innovation Symposium stands as a beacon to the school’s commitment to nurturing a culture of inquiry, innovation, and collaboration. It marks the beginning of a transformative journey, one that will continue to shape the academic growth and professional futures of health science students for years to come.
