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Consultant Paediatrician and Neonatologist, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital

Dr. Zainab Imam is a Consultant Paediatrician/Neonatologist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). In addition to her clinical duties, she trains and mentors resident doctors, supervises dissertations and gives bedside teachings to medical students. She also gives lectures on Newborn Nutrition to MSc students at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) and she is an NRT and ENCC trainer. She has co-authored over 20 peer-reviewed articles till date; her research interests revolve around her clinical work, and presently relates to preterm feeding, nutrition and follow up growth.

Consultant Neonatologist, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital

Dr. Simon Pius MBBS, MHPM, FMCPaed (Nig), MHPM (Master's in Health Planning and Management), is a Consultant Neonatologist (Paediatrician) at UMTH (University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital) and Associate Professor of Neonatology at University of Maiduguri North-Eastern Nigeria. A visiting Lecturer/External examiner at University of Gambia School of Medicine. External examiner at Nile University of Nigeria. Paediatric sectional editor to BOMJ (Borno Medical Journal), Member editorial team at Journal of African Neonatologists (JAN) and academic journal African Neonatologist Association (ANA). A reviewer to several local and international journals, including BMJ Paediatrics open access, WAJM, NJP, and NPMJ.

Consultant Neonatologist and Professor of Neonatal Medicine, Newcastle University

Professor Nick Embleton is a Consultant Neonatologist and Professor of Neonatal Medicine at Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK with over 30 years clinical practice in neonatology. He has over 200 publications in the fields of neonatal nutrition including basic science studies, large randomised controlled trials and systematic reviews. His research has focused on nutrient requirements in preterm infants, feeding methods, breast milk, probiotics and long-term outcomes. A full list of publications and studies is available and research webpage.

MRC/FCDO African Research Leader and Associate Professor and Physician Scientist, Aga Khan University

Dr. Helen Nabwera is an MRC/FCDO African Research Leader, Associate Professor and Physician Scientist at the Department of Paediatrics and Centre of Excellence for Women and Child Health at Aga Khan University, Nairobi. Her research focuses on exploring and evaluating strategies to improve growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes of low birthweight/preterm infants in impoverished communities in sub-Saharan Africa. This involves co-designing and testing innovative strategies that integrate early child nutrition with maternal well-being, to reduce morbidity and mortality among preterm/low birth weight infants. She has over 30 publications in peer-reviewed journals and has co-authored four book chapters in the fields of infant feeding, paediatric infections and early childhood growth.

Clinical Epidemiologist, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme

Dr. Alison Talbert is a clinical epidemiologist at the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme in Kilifi, Kenya. She worked for 16 years as a medical officer in rural church hospitals in Tanzania where she gained wide clinical experience and developed an interest in research, including tick-borne relapsing fever control using insecticide treated bed nets. In 2005, she moved to Kilifi where she researched malnutrition, infection, and infant and young child feeding. She led community-based studies of breastfeeding practices, identification of influential advisers and advice given to first time mothers in rural areas of coastal Kenya. She is the NeoNuNet site lead for Kilifi and is now site lead on a dose-finding trial of multiple micronutrients in women of reproductive age to improve birth outcomes.

Post-doctoral Research Associate, Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Research Programme

Dr. Mtisunge Joshua Gondwe is a Post-doctoral Research Associate at Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Research Programme (MLW) under the Maternal and Fetal health group, leading a NIHR Safe motherhood research programme aiming to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes in Malawi and Zambia. Her PhD at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine evaluated the processes and outcomes of stillbirths and neonatal death audits in Malawi. Mtisunge worked as a nurse for more than 10 years. She has also worked as a project coordinator/manager on improving paediatric patient pathways to care in primary health care settings in Malawi, a lecturer at Kamuzu College of Nursing, and a Translational Research Associate on prevention of parachute research implementation to promote equity in global health research.

Senior Lecturer and Consultant Paediatrician, University of Lagos

Dr. Beatrice Ezenwa is a Senior Lecturer and Consultant Paediatrician specialising in Neonatal care at the College of Medicine University of Lagos/Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria. She completed her postgraduate studies in Paediatrics and Neonatology in Nigeria and the U.K. She was a Postgraduate Trainer and Consultant Neonatologist at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital Banjul, The Gambia. Her research interests are nutrition and developmental outcomes in outsized babies, preterms, and other high-risk infants at birth. She has published over 40 articles and a book chapter in peer-reviewed journals on newborn nutrition and neonatal care. She has successfully administered research projects and collaborated with other researchers on newborn care packages that have improved newborn care and survival in resource-constrained settings.

Consultant Paediatrician, Lagos University Teaching Hospital

Professor Chinyere Ezeaka is a Consultant Paediatrician at the Neonatology-Perinatology Unit, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos. She has been actively involved in teaching, clinical service and research in neonatology, and has over 110 publications in journals/book chapters. These efforts aim to address key drivers of neonatal morbidity and mortality, with special interest on prematurity, perinatal asphyxia, neonatal jaundice and newborn nutrition. Chinyere is a national lead editorial consultant for the publication of key newborn policy documents and training protocols for KMC and the essential and comprehensive newborn care courses (ENCC and CNCC). She is the Country Lead PI for the Newborn Essential Solutions and Technologies (NEST360) Program Nigeria - a global health alliance aiming to reduce facility deaths of small and sick newborns in sub-Saharan Africa.

Senior Lecturer in Academic Development, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine

Dr. Christos Petichakis is a Senior Lecturer in Academic Development at the Faculty of Education in the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM). He leads educational staff development initiatives and is programme director for the taught and CPD route of academic staff development programmes at the School, leading to fellowship recognition of the Higher Education Academy (HEA). He is co-convenor for a Leadership and Educational practices module at the School and his research interests are in professional learning, communities of practice and application of pedagogic principles in research-led learning environments. He chairs the Quality Management Committee (QMC) at LSTM; the committee oversees the academic review and quality assurance of taught programmes across the School. He is a Principal Fellow of the HEA and an Accreditor with Advance-HE.

Neonatal Fellow, Aga Khan University

Dr. Bridget Naimoi is a general medical practitioner and Neonatal Fellow at the Centre for Excellence in Women and Child health, Aga Khan University in Nairobi. She holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. She is a co-author of a BMJ published Qualitative study of Healthcare workers' experience of using CPAP in Newborn Care in Kenya. She has worked in Kajiado County Referral Hospital as the Medical officer in charge of Paediatrics. She has worked in HIV/AIDs Care as a Senior Technical Officer in AMPATH Kenya.

Consultant Paediatrician and Post Graduate Medical Trainer, Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital

Steve is Professor of Paediatrics at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK, but currently based at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, Banjul, The Gambia where he is a Post Graduate Medical Trainer and Consultant Paediatrician. He has conducted clinical research in several countries with on-going research in gut health and pro/synbiotics in children in Africa and Asia.

Paediatrician and Neonatologist

Dr. Kunda Mutesu-Kapembwa is a Paediatrician and Neonatologist working in Zambia. She holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, a Master in Paediatrics and Child Health, and a Certificate and Master of Philosophy in Neonatology. Her career is dedicated to nursing and doctors’ education and to the health of neonates and their families. She Co-founded Newborn Support Zambia, a not for profit Non-Governmental Organisation to help improve the care of neonates in Zambia.

Lecturer in Paediatrics and Neonatology, University of Ibadan

Kemi is a lecturer in Paediatrics/Neonatology at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan and honorary consultant Paediatrician/Neonatologist at the University College Hospital Ibadan, Nigeria. Her special interests are in the areas of newborn nutrition, neonatal resuscitation and health services research related to newborn health. She is an NRT, KMC and ENCC master trainer.

Lead Consultant, Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, University College Hospital

Dr. Abimbola Akindolire, MBBS (Lag), FMCPaed, is a Lecturer at the Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan. She is also the Lead Consultant at the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, University College Hospital, Ibadan. Her interests are in developing low cost high impact interventions to improve survival of children.

Consultant Paediatrician and Lecturer, Maseno University

Dr Grace M. Laanoi is a consultant paediatrician and lecturer based in Maseno University, Kenya. She is passionate about mentoring and training medical students and other health care workers on paediatrics and child health. Her research interests have included prematurity, their long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes and to strengthen skills and knowledge in developmental paediatrics.

Consultant Paediatrician and Neonatologist, Ahmadu Bello University and Teaching Hospital

Isa Abdulkadir is a Professor of Paediatrics and consultant paediatrician and Neonatologist at the Ahmadu Bello University and Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, Kaduna, Northwestern Nigeria. Isa is engaged in training human resources for health at undergraduate and postgraduate level including medics and other paramedics. He has supported corporate practice and states in establishing neonatal care settings, systems and services. He has contributed to national and international neonatal protocols. His research focuses on neonatal systems, jaundice and neonatal interventions including neonatal nutrition with over 40 publications. He pioneered the use of bubble CPAP respiratory support in Zaria, introduced the use of irradiance meter and in collaboration with other researchers fabricated the 1st Nigerian LED tube and phototherapy device (with 90% local content) for the management of neonatal jaundice.

Neonatal Lead, Mbale Regional Referral Hospital

Kathy Burgoine is a UK trained Paediatrician. She is the Neonatal Lead at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital in Eastern Uganda. In 2014 she began the development of neonatal care across eastern Uganda, opening the first neonatal unit in the region in 2015, which now admits almost 3000 neonates a year and mortality has dropped dramatically. She is Principal Investigator in a clinical trial on prophylactic CPAP in preterm infants and is a co-investigator on a cluster randomised trial in Eastern Uganda, BabyGel, evaluating the effectiveness of alcohol hand rub in birthing kits to prevent neonatal sepsis. Kathy founded a charity, Born on the Edge, that provides training and education in neonatal care across eastern Uganda. She also developed a 14-module newborn care training course, which is now taught regularly by 6 local neonatal trainers throughout the region, and is being piloted in Kenya, Malawi and Zambia.

Senior Lecturer and Chair of Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Maseno University

Dr. Walter Otieno is a Principal Research Officer with the Kenya Medical Research Institute/US Army Medical Research Unit-Kenya (part time) and Senior lecturer and Chair of department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Maseno University School of Medicine. He has been a Principal Investigator in several studies. He received his medical degree from University of Nairobi in Kenya in 1993, Masters in Medicine and Doctorate degrees from the same University in 2001 and 2009 respectively. His research interests include pathogenesis of severe malarial anaemia, SCD pathogenesis, Malaria epidemiology and neonatal medicine.