Research

Dr. Anders Barasa is a Kenyan consultant cardiologist and heart failure specialist with extensive international clinical and academic experience across Europe and Africa. He holds an MD and PhD, is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP, Edinburgh) and the European Society of Cardiology (FESC), and is a Certified Heart Failure Specialist (PCHF, University of Zurich/ESC).

He currently leads heart failure services in Copenhagen and has served as Chair of the Heart Failure Working Group of the Danish Society of Cardiology, alongside academic appointments at the University of Copenhagen. His work focuses on advanced heart failure management, multimodality cardiac imaging including MRI, and the translation of research into clinical practice.

With a career spanning both high-resource and resource-limited settings, Dr. Barasa has played a key role in strengthening cardiovascular care in East Africa while contributing to cutting-edge clinical research in Europe. He is widely recognized for his ability to bridge health systems, mentor emerging clinicians and researchers, and drive impactful collaborations.

Dr. Barasa brings a strong commitment to advancing equitable cardiovascular care and continues to engage in partnerships that support clinical excellence, capacity development, and research across regions.

Kennedy Ojwang Odhiambo is a seasoned clinical research professional with over 14 years of experience delivering complex, multi-centre clinical trials across Africa. His work spans infectious diseases, nutrition, reproductive health, and diagnostics, with a strong focus on translating research protocols into high-quality, compliant, and impactful outcomes.

He has led the full lifecycle of clinical trials, from protocol development and regulatory approvals to site activation, monitoring, and close-out, across multiple countries including Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Madagascar. Kennedy has extensive experience working with global research institutions and funders, including the World Health Organization (WHO), National Institutes of Health (NIH), USAID, CDC, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust, and the University of Oxford .

Currently serving as a Clinical Research Manager, he oversees multi-site trials and cross-functional teams, ensuring adherence to ICH-GCP, FDA, EMA, and local regulatory standards. His expertise includes protocol development, Trial Master File (TMF) management, investigator training, data integrity oversight, and regulatory submissions across diverse ethical and governance frameworks.

Kennedy is also experienced in strengthening research infrastructure and translating research findings into policy and practice, contributing to national health strategies and capacity-building initiatives. He holds a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology, a Master’s degree in Project Planning and Management, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Public Health.

His work is driven by a commitment to participant safety, data integrity, and advancing high-quality clinical research across diverse and resource-constrained settings.

Dr. George Otieno is a consultant physician–cardiologist and academic clinician who contributes to Amyloidosis Africa as Clinical Education & Training Advisor, supporting initiatives that strengthen clinician awareness, professional education, and capacity building in cardiovascular care across the continent.

He is a Consultant Physician–Cardiologist at AIC Kijabe Hospital, where he manages complex cardiovascular conditions and performs advanced diagnostic and interventional procedures, including cardiac catheterization, pacemaker implantation, echocardiography, Holter monitoring, and exercise stress testing. In addition to clinical practice, he actively mentors junior doctors and medical officers and promotes continuous professional development through clinical teaching and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Dr. Otieno also serves as a Lecturer in the Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics at Kenyatta University, where he teaches undergraduate and postgraduate medical students, supervises clinical rotations, and contributes to curriculum development and academic research. His work emphasizes evidence-based medicine, professional ethics, and the development of future healthcare leaders.

He plays an active leadership role in the cardiovascular community as Assistant Treasurer and Board Member of the Kenya Cardiac Society, contributing to governance, professional development initiatives, and efforts to advance cardiovascular awareness and prevention programs in Kenya.

Earlier in his career, Dr. Otieno served as a Technical Advisor and Clinical Mentor with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, where he provided nationwide mentorship and training to clinicians on HIV and tuberculosis management, helping strengthen clinical capacity and improve quality of care across multiple health facilities in Kenya.

Dr. Otieno completed a Cardiology Fellowship at The Karen Hospital, holds a Master’s degree in Internal Medicine from the University of Nairobi, and earned a subspecialty certificate in Heart Failure from Cardiff University. His academic and clinical work includes several peer-reviewed publications in cardiology, critical care, and health systems research.

Through his role with Amyloidosis Africa, Dr. Otieno contributes to strengthening clinician education, supporting training initiatives, and promoting improved recognition of complex cardiovascular conditions, including cardiac amyloidosis, across African healthcare systems.

Dr. Nouran Hamza, BPharm, MSc, PhD is a biostatistician, epidemiologist, and clinical research methodologist with extensive experience in real-world evidence (RWE), epidemiological research, and statistical methodology for clinical studies. She contributes to the Amyloidosis Africa initiative by supporting research methodology, data analysis strategies, and evidence generation efforts aimed at improving the recognition and understanding of cardiac amyloidosis across Africa.

Dr. Hamza has worked on research and capacity-building initiatives across more than 20 countries, focusing on strengthening the methodological rigor of epidemiological studies, clinical trials, and health systems research. She specializes in biostatistics, real-world evidence generation, study design, and strategic analysis for healthcare research and public health initiatives.

She is the Founder and Managing Director of MARS-Global, a clinical research consultancy focused on rare disease research, real-world evidence generation, and scientific publications. She also serves as CEO and Co-Founder of CRK Clinical Research Organization, an NGO-based clinical research organization working to improve access to high-quality healthcare research for underserved communities.

Dr. Hamza holds a PhD in Biostatistics from the University of Cambridge, a Master’s degree in Public Health from Alexandria University, and a Bachelor of Pharmacy from October 6 University. Her academic and professional work focuses on translating complex data into decision-grade evidence that informs clinical research, healthcare policy, and patient care strategies.

Through her work with Amyloidosis Africa, Dr. Hamza contributes to strengthening research design, data governance, and evidence generation to support collaborative studies and improve awareness and early diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis across the African continent.

Dr. Lillian Njagi is a physician-scientist and epidemiologist with extensive experience in clinical research, population health, and implementation science across sub-Saharan Africa. She holds a PhD in Epidemiology and has served as a Clinical Research Scientist at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), with additional postdoctoral training in infectious diseases and global health.

Her work spans large-scale research programs in tuberculosis, HIV, and other public health priorities, with a strong focus on study design, real-world evidence generation, and translating research into practice within resource-limited settings. She brings deep expertise in epidemiological methods, multi-country research coordination, and health systems analysis.

Within Amyloidosis Africa, Dr. Njagi provides strategic and scientific input on research and evidence generation, with a particular focus on epidemiology, registry development, and implementation science. Her contributions support the design of multi-country studies, strengthen data-driven approaches to understanding amyloidosis in African populations, and help bridge the gap between clinical awareness and real-world diagnosis and care pathways.

Her work plays a critical role in advancing a more comprehensive, systems-informed approach to improving the recognition and management of cardiac amyloidosis across Africa.

Dr. Yubrine Moraa Gachemba is a Consultant Cardiologist and Chief Cardiologist at Primecare Heart Clinic, The Nairobi Hospital. She has advanced subspecialty expertise in multimodality cardiac imaging, including advanced echocardiography, cardiac computed tomography (CT), and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), as well as structural heart disease and cardio-obstetrics.

She trained in cardiology within the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) and holds a Master of Science (MSc) in Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine from the University of South Wales, alongside a Postgraduate Diploma in Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine. She also completed her Master of Medicine (MMed) in Internal Medicine at the University of Nairobi. In addition, she holds a Cardiology Fellowship from the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, with a focus on multimodality cardiac imaging and cardio-obstetrics .

Her work focuses on imaging-guided clinical decision-making, including diagnosis, risk stratification, and timing of intervention in complex cardiovascular disease. Her areas of interest include women’s cardiovascular health and pregnancy-associated heart disease.

In addition to clinical practice, she is involved in research, registries, and medical education related to cardiovascular care and imaging. Her work includes collaboration across clinical care, academic research, and health systems strengthening initiatives in African settings.

She serves as Continental Lead – Cardiac Imaging & Diagnostics (Africa) within Amyloidosis Africa. In this role, she contributes to imaging-based diagnostic approaches for cardiac amyloidosis, supports the development of diagnostic pathways and standardized frameworks, and participates in registry and implementation-focused initiatives. She is also involved in training and capacity-building for clinicians and imaging specialists across multiple African countries and contributes to clinical and strategic activities within Kenya.

Henry Joseph Oduor Ogola is a research scientist and academic with over 15 years of experience in genomics, bioinformatics, and clinical research management. His work focuses on integrating computational biology with clinical and public health research, with particular expertise in next-generation sequencing (NGS), metagenomics, and advanced data analytics.

He has led and coordinated multiple large-scale, multi-site research programs funded by international agencies including the NIH, CDC, BMGF, and PEPFAR, ensuring compliance with GCP, IRB, and global research standards. His experience spans clinical data management, research systems development, and cross-institutional collaboration across Africa and internationally.

Ogola has secured over KES 500 million in research funding and has contributed to numerous peer-reviewed publications in areas spanning microbiome science, infectious diseases, and translational research. He is also actively involved in postgraduate training, mentorship, and the development of advanced bioinformatics and research methodologies.

At Amyloidosis Africa, he supports the development of genomic and data science frameworks, contributing to the integration of genetic research, registry systems, and multi-country studies. His role strengthens the initiative’s capacity to deliver high-quality, data-driven research and to scale collaborative efforts across the continent.

Godfrey Nyakaya is a senior clinical research professional with over 16 years of experience in clinical trials across Africa, with specialized expertise in quality assurance, site monitoring, and regulatory compliance. He holds a Master of Science in Clinical Trials from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and has built a strong track record in delivering GCP-compliant, audit-ready research across multi-country studies.

He has held key roles with leading global research organizations, including Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, GlaxoSmithKline, and the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme. Across these roles, he has led clinical trial monitoring, quality system development, regulatory inspection readiness, and risk-based quality management, supporting studies from initiation through close-out.

Godfrey brings deep technical expertise in ICH-GCP, GCLP, and ISO-aligned quality systems, with hands-on experience in audit planning, CAPA implementation, deviation management, and trial master file (TMF) oversight using platforms such as Veeva eTMF. He has also played a critical role in strengthening laboratory and clinical trial quality systems, contributing to GCLP accreditation and ISO 9001-certified processes.

In addition to his operational expertise, he is actively engaged in advancing global quality standards as a Group Leader for GCLP review with the Oxford Global Health Network, contributing to the development of risk-based quality management frameworks and training materials aligned with evolving regulatory expectations.

Within Amyloidosis Africa, Godfrey leads the development of clinical research quality and compliance frameworks, ensuring that all research activities meet international standards and are aligned with trial readiness requirements. His role is central to bridging the gap between awareness initiatives and high-quality, multi-country clinical research, positioning the network for credible collaboration with global partners and sponsors.

Dr. Raghda E. Eldesouki, MD, MSc, PhD, DipIBMed, is a medical geneticist and Assistant Professor specializing in precision medicine, genomics, and multi-omics research . She holds a Bachelor of Medicine (MB.B.Ch), a Master’s degree, and a PhD in Human/Medical Genetics from Suez Canal University, and has undertaken advanced academic and research training at institutions including Johns Hopkins Medicine and Tulane University School of Medicine. She also holds a diploma in business management and additional certifications in medical education and quality assurance.

With over 16 years of experience, her work spans clinical genomics, human genetics, and translational research, with a strong focus on variant selection, genotyping, interpretation, and clinically anchored reporting. She has led and contributed to projects involving whole genome sequencing, genomic surveillance, and integration of genetic data with clinical variables to generate actionable clinical and public health insights. Her technical expertise includes high-throughput screening, assay development, molecular diagnostics, and multi-omics data analysis, alongside the application of machine learning models in translational genomics.

Dr. Eldesouki has contributed to cancer genomics and biomarker discovery, including the development of predictive models and gene expression analyses, and has participated in clinically oriented research involving infectious diseases, immunology, and hematologic malignancies. Her work includes publications in peer-reviewed journals, patent contributions in bi-specific antibody development, and active roles as a peer reviewer for leading international journals such as Scientific Reports, BMC Pediatrics, and the Journal of Medical Virology.

In addition to her research, she has held leadership and administrative roles, including Assistant Director of Quality Assurance, contributing to institutional development, medical education, and research governance. She has also served as Director of Medical Genomics (voluntary) with the American Board of Precision Medicine, supporting initiatives in medical education, communication, and assessment design.

As Scientific Lead – Genetics & Precision Medicine at Amyloidosis Africa, Dr. Eldesouki leads the integration of genomic and precision medicine approaches into the initiative, supporting genetic awareness, variant interpretation frameworks, and the development of research strategies aligned with hereditary and underdiagnosed conditions such as cardiac amyloidosis. Her role focuses on bridging advanced genomic science with real-world clinical application across diverse African healthcare settings.

Dr. Rasha Mohamed Abayazeed Hassan is a distinguished cardiologist and academic based at Alexandria University, where she currently serves as a Lecturer in Cardiology and Angiology. With a strong foundation in both clinical practice and academic medicine, she brings extensive expertise in non-invasive cardiovascular imaging, clinical education, and cardiovascular research.

Dr. Rasha has played a pioneering role in advancing specialized cardiovascular care in Egypt. She is the founder of a dedicated Cardiac Amyloidosis Clinic at Alexandria University, demonstrating her early commitment to improving the recognition and management of this underdiagnosed condition. In addition, she is a co-founder of both cardio-obstetrics and cardio-oncology clinics, contributing to multidisciplinary care models that address complex cardiovascular conditions in high-risk patient populations.

Her academic journey includes a Doctorate in Cardiology (2020) and a Master’s degree in Cardiology (2014), both obtained with distinction, following her MBBS from Alexandria University. Her research has focused on advanced cardiac imaging and arrhythmias, with continued involvement in observational studies, registries, and postgraduate supervision.

Dr. Rasha has also led a Pfizer-supported observational study on cardiac amyloidosis, completed in 2025, further reinforcing her expertise and leadership in this field. Her research contributions are reflected in multiple peer-reviewed publications spanning echocardiography, cardio-oncology, and critical care cardiology.

An active member of both the European Society of Cardiology and the Egyptian Society of Cardiology, Dr. Rasha remains deeply engaged in the global cardiology community.

As Regional Lead – Alexandria, she plays a key role in advancing the mission of Amyloidosis Africa by supporting case identification, strengthening clinical awareness, and contributing to research and registry development across Egypt and the broader North African region.

Karen Kiranka, BPharm, MSc is a public health professional and healthcare management specialist who serves as a member of the Amyloidosis Africa Operational Team, supporting the coordination of research and program activities across the initiative. In this role, she contributes to the implementation of awareness, research, and collaboration efforts aimed at improving the recognition and diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis across Africa.

Karen brings strong experience in clinical research coordination, health systems strengthening, and healthcare program management. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Health from Queen’s University and an MBA in Healthcare Management from Strathmore University, combining expertise in public health strategy, healthcare operations, and program implementation.

She currently serves as Chief Operations Officer and Research Lead at CRK Clinical Research Organization, where she supports clinical research initiatives and public health projects in Kenya. Her previous experience also includes working as a pharmacist at The Nairobi Hospital, contributing to patient care and pharmaceutical services.

Through her work with Amyloidosis Africa, Karen contributes to strengthening operational coordination, research collaboration, and health system engagement to advance awareness and early recognition of cardiac amyloidosis across the continent.

Dr. Hazel Nyambura Mburu is a highly regarded cardiologist based in Eldoret, Kenya, currently serving at LifeCare Multispeciality Hospital as an in-house specialist in cardiovascular care. She also contributes to the Amyloidosis Africa initiative, supporting efforts to improve awareness, early diagnosis, and clinical management of cardiac amyloidosis in Kenya.

With over 11 years of clinical experience across both public and private healthcare sectors, Dr. Mburu has developed strong expertise in the prevention and management of complex cardiovascular conditions. Her clinical practice spans adult cardiology, pediatric cardiology, vascular diseases, and internal medicine, enabling a comprehensive approach to patient care across different age groups and disease profiles.

Dr. Mburu holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MB.Ch.B) and a Master of Medicine in Internal Medicine (M.Med) from the University of Nairobi. Her training has equipped her with a solid foundation in both general and specialized medical care, with a focus on cardiovascular disease management.

Based at LifeCare Multispeciality Hospital in Eldoret, she provides patient-centered care in a well-equipped, 24-hour clinical environment. She is known for her thorough clinical approach, clear communication with patients, and strong commitment to long-term health outcomes.

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Mburu remains actively engaged in the cardiology community, including participation in national forums such as the Kenya Cardiac Society Congress. Through her role, she contributes to strengthening clinical networks and advancing cardiovascular care initiatives within Kenya and across the region.

Dr. Mohamed Yasser ElWazir, MD, PhD, is a cardiologist, cardiovascular imaging specialist, and researcher with extensive expertise in advanced cardiac imaging, cardiac sarcoidosis, nuclear cardiology, echocardiography, and artificial intelligence applications in cardiovascular medicine. He serves as Regional Lead (Ismailia) and is currently a Lecturer of Cardiology at the Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Egypt, as well as a Visiting Research Fellow at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

Dr. ElWazir holds a PhD in Cardiology from Suez Canal University, with part of his doctoral research conducted at Mayo Clinic. He has extensive clinical and research experience in cardiac PET, cardiac SPECT, cardiac MRI, echocardiography, and management of complex cardiovascular diseases. His work has particularly focused on cardiac sarcoidosis, multimodality cardiovascular imaging, and AI-driven cardiovascular diagnostics.

He has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed scientific publications in leading international journals, including studies related to cardiac sarcoidosis, cardiovascular imaging, machine learning, nuclear cardiology, and digital health innovation. In addition to his clinical and academic expertise, he has strong experience in medical statistics, machine learning, software development, and healthcare technology solutions.

Cardiologist | Heart Failure Specialist | Assistant Professor of Medicine
Clinical Lead – Heart Failure & Diagnostic Pathways (Ethiopia)

Dr. Sura Markos is an adult cardiologist, internist, and Assistant Professor of Medicine based in Ethiopia, with specialized expertise in heart failure and complex cardiovascular disease management. She is a PASCAR-certified Heart Failure Specialist and a Certified Clinical Lipidologist, combining advanced clinical training with a strong academic and research background.

She currently serves at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, where she is actively involved in patient care, medical education, and clinical research. Her work focuses on improving the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular diseases in resource-limited settings, with particular interest in advancing context-specific approaches to complex conditions such as cardiac amyloidosis.

Dr. Sura has contributed to academic medicine through teaching, mentorship, and research, and has recently published work addressing the challenges of diagnosing and managing cardiac amyloidosis in low-resource environments. Her clinical and academic experience positions her as a key contributor to strengthening diagnostic pathways and improving awareness across the region.

Within Amyloidosis Africa, Dr. Sura contributes to the development of context-adapted diagnostic approaches, supports clinical education initiatives, and plays a role in advancing multi-country research efforts and registry-based work.

Aspanas Keya Omukanya, BSc (Medical Laboratory Science), MSc (Epidemiology and Biostatistics – Ongoing)

Aspanas Keya Omukanya is a clinical research professional with experience in clinical trial operations, laboratory sciences, and quality assurance within research settings. He is currently serving as an Associate Clinical Research Associate at IQVIA in Nairobi, where he supports site monitoring activities, clinical documentation management, data flow tracking, and coordination of trial-related processes in compliance with study protocols and standard operating procedures.

Prior to this role, he worked as a Laboratory Technologist and Study Quality Assurance Officer at IMPACT Research and Development Organization in Kisumu. In this capacity, he was involved in laboratory diagnostics, study sample management, REDCap data entry, and quality assurance processes, including review of source documents and adherence to ISO 15189 standards. His experience also includes supporting clinical and laboratory procedures at Strathmore University-CREATES and KEMRI, where he contributed to sample analysis, molecular testing, and laboratory system operations.

His technical expertise spans clinical laboratory testing (hematology, microbiology, molecular diagnostics), clinical trial documentation, data management systems, and research compliance frameworks. He has practical experience working with electronic data capture systems such as REDCap and supporting the lifecycle of clinical trials, including sample handling, shipment coordination, and regulatory documentation.

Aspanas is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, further strengthening his foundation in research methodology, data analysis, and evidence-based practice. His professional development includes training in Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP), Human Subject Protection (CITI Program), and Principles and Practice of Clinical Research (NIH).

He is a registered member of the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians Board (KMLTTB) and a member of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP).

Within research environments, his work has focused on supporting data integrity, quality assurance, and operational coordination across clinical studies, contributing to the effective implementation of research protocols in both laboratory and field settings.