News
March 4, 2026
RISE collaborators attend launch meeting in Kenya for HIV/ART exposure on child neurodevelopment research
Categories: Awards, HIV and Co-Infections, Neurodevelopment
RISE collaborators from multiple research institutes met in Nairobi, Kenya.
Awarded in late 2025, RISE aims to evaluate tools for screening children for neurodevelopmental delays and to identify interventions to optimize neurodevelopment among children with and without in-utero HIV/ART exposure in Botswana, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. It includes three distinct research Projects and three Cores that provide shared resources, focusing on scientific administrative support, data management and analysis, and dissemination and stakeholder engagement, to facilitate the Projects. Investigators come from partner institutions in Kenya (University of Nairobi, Kenyatta National Hospital, UW-Kenya, Kenya Medical Research Institute), Zimbabwe (Zvitambo, Queen Mary University, London), Botswana (Botswana Harvard Partnership, Mass General Hospital), Mayo Clinic, Seattle Children’s Hospital, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), Emory University, and Indiana University. (more…)
Research Scientist Dieudonne Hakizimana receives award to improve infant health outcomes in Ethiopia
Categories: Awards, Gut Health and Child Survival, Research
Congratulations to Dieudonne Hakizimana, Global WACh Research Scientist and PhD Candidate in the UW Department of Global Health, and collaborators of Strengthening Opportunities through Partnership in Ethiopia (SCOPE) for receiving a UW Global Innovation Fund Award for “Assessing post-trial sustainment of a faith leader–led initiative to improve newborn and infant health in Ethiopia and identifying factors influencing sustainment to inform scale-up and long-term planning.”
This award will support a rigorous post-trial assessment of SCOPE’s LAUNCH (Leading Advancements for the Uptake of Newborn and Community Health) intervention that paired Ethiopian Orthodox priests with community health workers (CHWs) to deliver newborn and infant health education to families. The trial explored how linking religious leaders with front-line health workers may catalyse and empower local communities to improve health outcomes for newborns. Read the LAUNCH protocol paper published in September 2024. (more…)
February 24, 2026
Kikundi Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Community of Practice members convene in Togo
Categories: Gut Health and Child Survival, Research
Kikundi members include government health officials from multiple African countries, who convened in Togo
Dr. Koko Marin WOTOBE, Secretary General of the Ministry of Health, officially opened the visit, which underscored Togo’s commitment of leadership in NTD program integration.
The participants explored real-world approaches to integrating NTD services within health systems, sharing lessons across countries, and co-developing a roadmap for Kikundi’s long-term impact. Lincoln Pothan, Global WACh Data Manager & Analyst, was among the participants and contributed to the cross-country collaboration.
Follow Kikundi on LinkedIn to stay informed of their incredible work.
February 23, 2026
MIND study collaborators attend 3rd annual meeting for child development research in Kenya
Categories: Gut Health and Child Survival, HIV and Co-Infections, Implementation Science, Mental Health, Research
Investigators and administrators from multiple Kenyan and U.S. institutions who support the MIND study.
February 18, 2026
Global WACh Rising Star adolescent smoking research awarded at the Paediatric Society of Ghana Annual General and Scientific Meeting
Categories: Awards, Conferences, Research, Talks and Events
Dr. Kingsley Hattoh, a doctor and researcher affiliated with the Tamale Teaching Hospital
Congratulations to Global WACh Rising Star (2023-2024) Dr. Rafiuk Cosmos Yakubu and Dr. Kingsley Hattoh with the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at the Tamale Teaching Hospital, for sharing outstanding research linked to the Global WACh-funded study, “Association of Inhaled-Substance Use and Respiratory Problems in Adolescents in the Tamale Metropolis of Ghana” at the annual Paediatric Society of Ghana Annual General and Scientific Meeting held from February 5th-7th.
Dr. Hattoh was named winner of Best Abstract (Poster Category). (more…)
February 17, 2026
Dr. Kirk Tickell receives award to contribute to Kenyan national surveillance of highly drug-resistant organisms
Categories: Awards, Gut Health and Child Survival
Congratulations to Dr. Kirk Tickell, Research Assistant Professor in Global Health, for receiving a UW Royalty Research Award for “Epidemiology of carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli from children being discharged from referral hospitals in Kenya.” Over a 12-month span, this study aims to contribute to the Kenyan national surveillance of emerging highly drug-resistant organisms. (more…)
February 6, 2026
Global WACh Certificate Student Maggie Nickel supports efforts to improve birth outcomes in Kenya
Categories: Certificate Program, Research, students
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in pregnancy are associated with adverse birth outcomes, including preterm birth, low birth rate, infant mortality, and increased mother-to-child HIV transmission. The prevalence of STIs among pregnant women in East Africa remains high and is higher among women living with HIV. In Kenya, the standard-of-care (SOC) model only treats visible symptoms, leaving many pregnant women with asymptomatic infections left untreated or treated inappropriately. It is critical to focus on moving beyond SOC toward more precise diagnostic strategies to treat pregnant women accordingly and improve birth outcomes.
A collaborative study led by researchers from the School of Nursing, Department of Global Health, and Kenyatta National Hospital is evaluating perinatal outcomes using different models for STI testing, as well as the implementation and cost outcomes within routine antenatal care in Kenya. Known as the PrIMI study, it is comparing the SOC model with a universal testing strategy and an asymptomatic testing strategy.
During Fall Quarter 2025, Margaret (Maggie) Nickel, a second-year MPH student in the Department of Global Health and the Global WACh Certificate Program, joined the qualitative researchers of the PrIMI team to fulfill the Certificate’s 90-hour capstone requirement. The team included Tessa Concepcion (Global WACh) and Kenyan colleagues Eunita Akim, Benito Odhiambo, and Salphine Watoyi. Maggie’s role assisted with a study objective to interview research participants (pregnant women living with and without HIV receiving antenatal care) on their perceptions on acceptability, feasibility, appropriateness, and satisfaction of the STI testing methods. (more…)
February 5, 2026
Global WACh Certificate Student Brooke Erickson supports efforts to strengthen perinatal research recruitment in Seattle
Categories: Certificate Program, Children, Mental Health, Research
Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) are prevalent mental health conditions that occur during pregnancy or within the first year postpartum. Poor mental health in this period is associated with adverse outcomes for both mothers and children, including maternal morbidity and mortality, and hindered child development. Although PMADs are common, a significant treatment gap remains, with more than half of women experiencing symptoms not receiving timely, high-quality mental health care.
To help fill that treatment gap, Brooke Erickson, a second-year MPH student in the Department of Global Health and Global WACh Graduate Certificate Student, is supporting the “Maternal Infant and Dyadic Care (MInD)” randomized control trial that is evaluating the feasibility of integrating depression care with Promoting First Relationships Brief (PFR-B), an evidence-based program that promotes children’s social-emotional development by focusing on caregiver-child relationships. (more…)
February 2, 2026
Researchers convene to disseminate findings that can inform future HIV and TB care in Kenya
Categories: HIV and Co-Infections, Research
Researchers convened in Nairobi, Kenya on November 14, 2025.
In November 2025, researchers on multiple UW and Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) collaborative projects focusing on HIV and tuberculosis (TB) convened in Nairobi to share key findings and discuss future directions. Dr. Sylvia LaCourse (Associate Professor with joint appointments in Department of Medicine – Allergy & Infectious Diseases and Global Health) presented on the role of HIV on TB infection detection, prevention strategies and immunity in pregnant women and children. The shared results concluded more than 10 years of dedicated work by collaborators at UW (Dr. Grace John-Stewart, Dr. Tom Hawn, Dr. Barbra Richardson, Dr. Irene Njuguna), Emory University (Dr. Cheryl Day, Dr. Lisa Marie Cranmer), University of Nairobi (Dr. Lisa Maleche-Obimbo), and Kenyatta National Hospital (Dr. John Kinuthia). Future directions include considerations for policy to guide HIV and TB treatment and preventative strategies to improve health outcomes in Kenya.
(more…)
January 16, 2026
Researchers share the latest science at the 2025 D&I Conference
Categories: Conferences, Implementation Science, Research, students
Global WACh researchers among a group of researchers University of Washington Department of Global Health and partner organizations
In December 2025, Global WACh faculty, staff, and student researchers presented the latest science at the 18th Annual Conference on the Science of Dissemination & Implementation (D&I), co-hosted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and AcademyHealth. The conference theme, “Realizing the Benefits of Dissemination & Implementation Science,” highlighted success stories and challenges in turning evidence into impact across health systems and communities.
Our team participated in a larger network of fellow researchers from the UW Department of Global Health and partner organizations. It was an enriching and insightful opportunity to learn about emerging trends and evidence in the implementation science field for all.
(more…)
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