Prof Collins Ouma is a Professor in Biomedical Sciences and is currently the Director, Research and Innovations of Maseno University, Kenya. He previously served as the Research Scientist and Program Leader, Health Challenges at African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), and Director, Research and Knowledge Translation at the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP). Prior to joining the two pan-African institutions (APHRC and AFIDEP), Prof. Ouma served as the Director of Research, Publications and Innovations at Maseno University, Kenya, where he has also held many senior academic and administrative positions including Dean, School of Public Health and Community Development. Earlier in his career, Prof. Ouma served as a Senior Research Officer with the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) based at the Centre for Global Health and Research (CGHR) in Kisumu, Kenya, and within the National Institutes of Health-funded Severe Malarial Anemia (SMA) Project. A geneticist by training, Prof. Ouma’s work covers major health challenges in Africa including infectious diseases, neglected tropical diseases, non-communicable diseases, and health systems-related issues. His work on the genetic basis of severe malarial anemia in pediatric populations has been published in leading international peer-reviewed journals including Nature, Malaria Journal, Infection and Immunity, Human Genetics, BMC Genetics, among others. In recognition of this work, Prof. Ouma received the Pfizer Royal Society Best African Scientist Award in 2010. He is a member of the Kenya National Academy of Sciences. Currently Prof. Ouma continues to lead a dynamic team of over 40 multi-disciplinary researchers working on multiple thematic program areas within the Maseno University and her collaborators: Non-communicable Diseases; Maternal, Newborn and Child Health; Health Systems; and Infectious Diseases and Environmental Health.