March 24, 2026
HJFMRI was proud to participate in the 16th Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) Annual Scientific and Health (KASH) Conference in February, where leaders and partners from across the region gathered to advance scientific innovation and public health.
Dr. Sandhya Vasan, Vice President of Global Infectious Diseases Research and incoming Chief Medical Officer for The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, delivered a powerful plenary address on “Bridging Medical Research and Pandemic Preparedness in Africa.” She highlighted the efforts by HJF and HJFMRI in collaboration with Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and KEMRI, to strengthen research infrastructure, expand scientific capacity, and drive partnerships that support enhanced surveillance, rapid pathogen detection, and clinical research across the continent.
Dr. Vasan’s session was complemented by an insightful plenary by Dr. Fred Sawe, Director KEMRI/WRP Kericho, who spoke on “HIV Care: Past Lessons, Present Strategies, Future Directions, and the Quest for a Cure.” Dr. Sawe explored the evolution of HIV care, current strategies for sustainable viral suppression, and the multidisciplinary innovations positioning Sub‑Saharan Africa as a leader in the global pursuit of an HIV cure. Congratulations to our teams and all collaborators who represented their impactful science at this year’s conference. Your work continues to drive meaningful progress in global health.