Sam Kariuki is a longtime GOHi partner and collaborator as part of the One Health Eastern Africa Research Training Program. Currently, he is the acting director general and chief research officer at Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI).
Kariuki will present a "One Health AMR surveillance implementation in Low Middle Income Country settings, Kenya a case study" webinar on Thursday, August 19 from 8:30 - 10 a.m. EDT.
What is the best part of your new role as KEMRI acting director general?
I would say being in this position provides an opportunity to mentor more upcoming researchers as well as give strategic research direction for the institute, particularly on what roles we can play to impact public health in Kenya. I am in a position to receive views and guidance from colleagues and the management board, and this to me is an excellent way to build influence around our KEMRI motto: “In search of better health.”
Can you please describe the path that led you to where you are today?
Ever since joining KEMRI in my formative years as a research assistant, I have been at the forefront of wanting to grow in my research career, mainly wishing to be part of the “change agenda” team for research in Kenya. My partnerships and collaborations with colleagues, such as here at Ohio State, and various other institutions in Europe, provided an impetus towards this growth and expanding upon mutual interest in advancing research that answers the most common public health challenges of low- and middle-income countries. This has been the driving force towards excelling in research. My research interests have been in epidemiology and genomics of enteric infections and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Upon joining KEMRI, I rose through the ranks to senior research scientist within five years of my research career, then became head of the Microbiology Center for six years, after which I headed the Research and Development Directorate from 2016 -2019. Early this year, I was asked by the Ministry of Health to act as KEMRI’s director general and steer the transition towards the next phase of KEMRI's scientific development and growth.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
That it is within your power to achieve whatever you desire, only believe in yourself and work towards achieving the goal.
What advice do you have for students, trainees and young faculty?
Success is what is well planned and executed, it not just a wish that comes true. I urge all to be focused on the goals that you set for yourself and never work in isolation but rather always seek to be in collaborative ventures to strengthen your career in science.
Can you please describe your experience working with GOHi, especially on the OHEART project?
This period has been my best in terms of growing partnerships and collaborations! Under the leadership of Wondwossen Gebreyes and through GOHi, we have built capacity in One Health across the developing world, including in Kenya. In addition, we have expanded the research portfolio from the epidemiology of foodborne infections to the wider aspects of public health, genomics, AMR and health economics, as a truly Global One Health initiative. Indeed, GOHi became a beacon upon which many other One Health initiatives were started.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I love to take long walks and jogs, at least three times a week in the evening and, whenever possible, play golf once a week. Having Sunday lunch with family gives me great pleasure as well!