Lydia Kemunto Atambo
Nairobi
Summary
Insightful Research Mentor known for high productivity and efficient task completion. Possess specialized skills in qualitative data analysis, experimental design, and academic writing. Excel in critical thinking, communication, and mentoring, ensuring seamless collaboration and knowledge transfer.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Research Mentor/Adolescent SRHR
Kenya Medical Association/HIVOS
Nairobi
11.2025 - 09.2026
- Guided research teams in developing innovative project proposals and methodologies.
- Facilitated workshops to enhance research skills and critical thinking among mentees.
- Reviewed and provided feedback on research papers to improve clarity and rigor.
- Developed training materials to support mentees in using research tools effectively.
- Encouraged collaboration among diverse teams to foster a supportive research environment.
- Assisted in navigating ethical considerations within various research projects.
- Assisted in developing strategies to promote independent learning among mentees.
Member of Adolescent HIV/Tuberculosis program
Desmond Tutu Health Foundation
Nairobi
12.2022 - 06.2024
- Strengthened professional skills through commitment to continuing education and advanced training.
Research Support and Lecturer
Amref International University
Nairobi
01.2021 - 01.2024
- Co-Principal Investigator for GCRF Study on gender and displacement among Somali and Congolese refugees and IDPs over three years.
- Research Coordinator for community responses to COVID-19 restrictions in Kenya.
- Research Coordinator assessing African Union and Africa CDC's impact on Kenyan COVID-19 response.
- Led Department of Community Health, overseeing timetables, exam processes, and departmental activities.
- Supported deliverables from 3 full-time staff and 20 part-time lecturers.
- Taught and mentored students in assigned courses, enhancing academic performance.
- Facilitated development and rollout of new curricula tailored to community needs.
- Supervised student projects for BSC/Diploma and Higher Diploma programs.
- Developed course materials and instructional resources for enhanced learning experiences.
- Delivered engaging lectures on public health topics to diverse student groups.
- Facilitated discussions to encourage critical thinking among students in health education.
- Collaborated with faculty to enhance curriculum design and teaching strategies.
- Mentored students in research projects related to community health initiatives.
- Evaluated student performance through assessments and feedback mechanisms.
- Participated in academic committees to improve university policies and programs.
- Organized workshops and seminars on emerging trends in global health issues.
- Provided guidance to students on course selection, career planning, and other educational matters.
- Delivered course lectures using modern technology to enhance student comprehension.
- Delivered lectures to undergraduate and graduate classes of varying sizes.
- Involved in departmental activities such as curriculum development, faculty meetings, advising sessions.
- Mentored graduate students with their research projects and dissertations.
Inpatient doctor
The Mater Hospital
01.2016 - 12.2021
- Inpatient doctor in the Internal medicine ward.
- The Mater Hospital is a leading healthcare provider in Nairobi, offering a range of medical services. https://www.materhospital.or.ke/
Trial Physician
Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative
01.2014 - 12.2015
- Collection of samples needed in ongoing studies.
- Ensuring that the studies are carried out as per the protocol document.
- Planning and coordinating the initiation of the study protocol, including the development of Standard Operating Procedures and other study tools.
- Preparation and maintenance of volunteer study files.
- Recruitment and coordination of trial participants, covering informed consent, screening and inclusion of participants adhering to safety and compliance issues.
- Tracking study enrolment status.
- Ensuring the smooth and efficient operations of the study and data collection activities using source documents and CRFs.
- Reporting and management of AEs and SAEs.
- Coordinating the day-to-day activities of the study, visit Scheduling, sampling and time management.
- Communication with the sponsor.
- Monitoring the progress of the ongoing studies.
- Implementation of quality control processes throughout the conduct of the trial.
- Preparing for and overseeing monitoring visits, quality assurance audits and managing the query resolution process.
- Preparing and coordinating study progress reports.
- KAVI is an institute of clinical research focused on HIV/AIDS and related diseases. https://kaviuon.org/
- Studies handled included the following: Co-Investigator- SIVET (Simulated Vaccine Efficacy Trial) Study- A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the ability to recruit and retain HIV-1 uninfected key populations from Nairobi by enrolment into a licensed HBV vaccine study.
- Co-Investigator- VZV study- Immunological characterization of Varicella Zoster virus (VZV) as a replicating viral vector for an HIV vaccine.
- Co-Investigator- BOO2 Study- Long term follow up of the volunteers who participated in the A phase I double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized trial in HIV-uninfected, healthy adult volunteers to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of F4co adjuvanted with AS01B or AS01 administered with Ad35-GRIN.
- Co-Investigator- SOO1 Study-Long term follow up of the volunteers who participated in the A phase I double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation trial to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a Sendai HIV vaccine SeV-G (NP) given intranasally and Ad35-GRIN administered intramuscularly in prime-boost regimens in HIV-uninfected, healthy adult volunteers.
Medical officer
The Mater Hospital
01.2012 - 08.2015
- Management of the Westland's Mater Hospital Outreach branch.
- Acting as a link between the hospital management and the doctors working at the Westland's Mater Hospital Outreach Branch.
- Creation of the monthly doctor's rota and ensuring adequate staffing at the clinic.
- Managed the various clinical cases at the accident and emergency section.
- Carrying out minor surgical procedures.
- Underwriting and evaluating the health status of patients for insurance coverage.
- The Mater Hospital is a leading healthcare provider in Nairobi, offering a range of medical services. https://www.materhospital.or.ke/
Medical Officer Intern
Kenyatta National Hospital
01.2009 - 12.2010
- Diagnosed patients, initiated treatment and followed up inpatient care in the different clinical rotations (obstetrics and gynecology, surgery, pediatrics and internal medicine).
- Presented patients clinical status to the consultants after which, we discussed and implemented their management.
- Taught and mentored medical students and clinical officers on clinical practice skills.
- Kenyatta National Hospital is the largest referral and teaching hospital in East and Central Africa. https://www.knh.or.ke/
Education
Academic Data Analysts -
01.2023
PhD - Epidemiology
KEMRI/JKUAT
01.2022
Certificate in Principles and Practice of Clinical Research -
Harvard University
01.2021
Post Graduate Diploma in Public Health - Health Systems Management
University of Liverpool
01.2021
Fellowship in Adolescent HIV/TB Infection -
Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation
Cape Town04.2015
Msc - Tropical and Infectious Diseases
University Of Nairobi
01.2014
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery -
University Of Nairobi
01.2008
Skills
- Research methodology
- Data analysis
- Project proposal development
- Team leadership
- Workshop facilitation
- Stakeholder engagement
- Mentoring and coaching
- Ethical compliance
- Public health initiatives
- Project management and organization
- Curriculum development
- Public health knowledge
- Strategic planning
Training
- Scientific conference on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights, 06/27/18
- Clinical Research Monitoring Training, 08/17/16
- Effective Monitoring and Evaluation Skills Training, 06/16/16
- Excellent Supervisory Skills Training, 06/13/16
- DHTF Adolescent HIV/TB Fellowship, 02/01/16 - 04/30/16
- The Nairobi Innovation week, University of Nairobi, 08/03/15 - 08/07/15
- Infectious Disease Symposium, Nairobi, 06/18/15 - 06/19/15
- Annual scientific Review and planning meeting in Nairobi, 01/26/15 - 01/30/15
- CAPT-Network meeting, Grant writing workshop, 04/07/14 - 04/08/14
Certification
- Economic evaluation in Global Health, Uni. of Washington, 09/01/23
- Research paper writing workshop, 02/01/23
- Research ethics ESRC training, KAVI/UON, 12/01/21
- Introduction to research ethics, TRREE, 12/01/21
- Red Cross (ACLS), 02/01/19
- Red Cross (BLS), 02/01/19
- Clinical Research Monitoring Training, 08/01/16
- GCP for clinical trials with investigational drugs and biologics (ICH focus), 09/01/15
- MSM Sensitivity Training Course, 09/01/15
- Human Subjects Protection (HSP), 09/01/15
- Customer Service Training, Kenya Institute of management, 07/01/15
- Global health leadership and management course, 11/01/12
- Advanced cardiac life support, 09/01/12
- Clinical management of HIV, 04/01/12
- Basic Life Support Provider Course, 11/01/08
- Emergency Life Support & Pediatric Emergency Triage, 11/01/08
- Hands on: Diabetic Workshop, 11/01/08
- HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health Seminar, 07/01/07
- Medical officer, Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Board
References
- Dr Brenda Obondo. CEO, Kenya Medical Association. P.O BOX: 48502-00100, Nairobi-Kenya. +254 721 952 326. executiveofficer@kma.co.ke
- Dr Gina Outarra. Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative.P.O. Box 21936-00505.+254 722 659 169.
gmouattara@dndi.org
- Dr Ruth Lucinde. KEMRI Welcome Trust. P.O.Box P.O. Box 230, Kilifi. rckhadembu@gmail.com
Publications
- Influence of conspiracy theories and distrust of community health volunteers on adherence to COVID-19 guidelines and vaccine uptake in Kenya, Accepted for publication, Journal of Public Health in Africa
- Now is the time: Assessing policy gaps and barriers to health for refugees in Kenya, Submission ongoing
- Knowledge, attitude and uptake of Antiretroviral therapy for HIV prevention among discordant couples: Pumwani maternity hospital cohort, Abstract
- Assessment of the risk factors associated with a positive QuantiFERON-GIT status among adolescents in the AERAS-404 TB study at the Emavundleni clinic, South Africa, Abstract
- Refugee and Healthcare workers' perceptions of refugee health and integration in Nairobi, Kenya, Policy Brief
- The decision-making process in reporting sexual violence among Somali refugee women living in Nairobi, Kenya, Policy Brief
- The effects of the refugee health policy framework on access to healthcare services by Somali and Congolese refugees in Nairobi, Kenya, Policy Brief
Timeline
Research Mentor/Adolescent SRHR
Kenya Medical Association/HIVOS
11.2025 - 09.2026
Member of Adolescent HIV/Tuberculosis program
Desmond Tutu Health Foundation
12.2022 - 06.2024
Research Support and Lecturer
Amref International University
01.2021 - 01.2024
Inpatient doctor
The Mater Hospital
01.2016 - 12.2021
Trial Physician
Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative
01.2014 - 12.2015
Medical officer
The Mater Hospital
01.2012 - 08.2015
Medical Officer Intern
Kenyatta National Hospital
01.2009 - 12.2010
Academic Data Analysts -
PhD - Epidemiology
KEMRI/JKUAT
Certificate in Principles and Practice of Clinical Research -
Harvard University
Post Graduate Diploma in Public Health - Health Systems Management
University of Liverpool
Fellowship in Adolescent HIV/TB Infection -
Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation
Msc - Tropical and Infectious Diseases
University Of Nairobi
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery -
University Of Nairobi