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In just weeks, fellows from across the continent have already engaged in leadership, science communication, and innovation training.

African STARS Fellows Reflections in Stellenbosch

The African STARS Fellowship is cultivating a new generation of leaders committed to translating research into impactful solutions for Africa.

In just weeks, fellows from across the continent have engaged in leadership, science communication, and innovation training, forming networks that transcend disciplines and borders. Their reflections underscore a shared commitment to tackling challenges in public health, biotechnology, and local manufacturing.

We spoke with four fellows from the CERI cohort, who all emphasised how the programme equips them with skills, perspectives, and confidence to make their research relevant beyond academic journals.

What motivated them to apply, and how do they feel about the programme so far?

Celestine Kemunto Nyamari from Kenya, a molecular biologist and public health researcher, shared, 'I wanted to bridge the gap between science and practical solutions for public health. This fellowship has already reshaped my identity as a researcher, emphasising leadership, mentorship, and impactful communication, empowering me to inspire real change across Africa.'

South African multilingual biomedical scientist, Charleen Wormsberg ,applied to the fellowship because she felt the need to contribute to something greater. 'I was drawn to this programme’s vision of integrating science and entrepreneurship. The fellowship fast-tracks skills scientists often miss, reshaping my outlook on science’s impact.'

Kennedy Mulungu, a young Malawian biomedical scientist, expressed his motivation to develop local biomanufacturing capabilities. 'This fellowship provides world-class skills in vaccine design and diagnostics, empowering me to address our health challenges and contribute to building resilience in Malawi.'

Kingstone Nihaka from Zimbabwe, a co-founder of a biotech start-up who is passionate about democratising biotechnology, noted, “The first three weeks have been transformative. The fellowship has fostered networking, leadership conversations, and a journey of unlearning and relearning that empowers our vision for African-led solutions.”

The African STARS Fellowship strives to improve African capabilities in genomics, diagnostics, and vaccine manufacturing while strengthening the African health workforce in response to future epidemics. Through this exciting fellowship, there’s no doubt that these emerging young leaders are poised to make a lasting impact on the continent’s future.

This news piece was published at the gem!

Click on the image above to read the gem, genomics, epidemics & microbes Vol 8 Issue 8, Aug 2025, or scan the qrcode.