The internship program at the journal was inaugurated in 2016. The primary goal was to mentor the next generation of researchers, authors, reviewers and editors. Interns were mainly medical students who would spend a year at the journal learning from the editors the various aspects of running the journal. In the process, they would hone their skills in all aspects of research and be in a position to apply these skills in the rest of their careers. The interest in the program continues to grow and the last interviews had applicants from three continents.
The program has been made possible by a grant from the NIH through the African Journal Partnership Project (AJPP) which enables us to provide a stipend to the interns. In addition to interacting with the editors, the interns also get an opportunity to interact with our authors. They are available to assist authors navigate the manuscript submission system and handle any queries. They also play a role during author trainings and this helps them grow as reviewers. Our interns also get the additional benefit of interacting with our local and international partners which helps improve their networks.
The internship program is open to all medical students in the continent who undergo a rigorous selection process before being trained on the various aspects they handle during their internship. Interns are required to demonstrate continuous good performance in their medical studies even as they dedicate 10 hours every week to journal work. As most of the work is done virtually, this calls for the interns to develop good organizational skills and the ability to work with minimal supervision. Calls for the internship program will usually go out in mid December with new interns commencing in two groups on 1st March and 1st September to allow for staggered on boarding and retirement of the interns.
OUR INTERNS
NEW INTERNS
DERLYNE NYAKARA OMWOYO
derlyne.omwoyo@annalsofafricansurgery.com
Derlyne Omwoyo Nyakara is a 4th year medical student at Egerton University, Njoro, Nakuru. She is a research enthusiast who enjoys anatomy and is a global health advocate interested in the surgical field. She is also passionate about SRHR and mental health.
MERNA ESTREED
merna.estreed@annalsofafricansurgery.com
Merna Estreed, currently in her fifth-year of Medical School at the University of Nairobi, is an anatomist with a passion for research, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and Global Health. She serves as a Senior Student Editor for the International Journal of Medical Students and as the Assistant Managing Editor at the Anatomy Journal of Africa. Driven by a commitment to advancing research skills among medical students, she actively works to promote research knowledge and engagement in the medical community.
PAST INTERNS
Dr. Brian N Kariuki was among the inaugural inductees into the Annals of
African Surgery internship program and now serves as the journal's associate editor. He is a research scholar with
advanced training in Human Anatomy. His interests include Neurosurgery,
Critical care, translational research and the development of digital
health solutions.
Sibuor is an enthusiastic human anatomist and a 6th year medical student at the University of Nairobi. He has a keen interest in medical research and its transaltion into daily clinical practice.
Dr. Isaac Cheruiyot is a medical officer intern at Consolata Hospital, Nkubu. He is a human anatomist and budding young researcher, working to become an excellent clinician-scientist. He is a member of several international research collaboratives, and has interests in minimally-invasive surgery of the digestive system (colorectal and hepatobiliary surgery), surgical oncology, clinical anatomy and traumatology.
Danielle Mwende Arori is a Pharmacy student at Kenyatta University. She has varied interests in the surgical field, being keen on the role pharmacists play in theatre to improve patient outcomes. During her free time, she enjoys traveling, painting, writing science fiction and blogging on mental health.
Mercy is a broadcast journalist with Kenya Broadcasting Corporation. She holds a bachelor's degree in Mass Communication broadcast major and minor in print. She is also a short stories writer with interest in digital analytics.
Dr. Cynthia Aginga is a medical doctor with excellent research skills and over 3 years of experience in
scientific writing and systematic review appraisal. She is an SRHR advocate with major interests in Global
health, focusing mainly on maternal and child health and adolescent health.
FIONA KEMUNTO NYAANGA
fiona.nyaanga@annalsofafricansurgery.com
Fiona Nyaanga is a Fourth-Year student undertaking Bachelor Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, at the University of Nairobi. She is also an anatomist after her successful completion of Bachelor of Science in Anatomy. Also, she heads the Scientific Committee of Research in her school. In addition to that, she is also the Vice Chairperson of the Christian Medical Fellowship Students' Committee
.
VINCENT KIPKORIR
vincent.kipkorir@annalsofafricansurgery.com
Vincent Kipkorir is a Fifth Year Medical student at the University of Nairobi and an Anatomist after undertaking his BSc course in Anatomy. The Annals of African Surgery internship program greatly underpinned his journey into Peer Review and Editorial Work. He now seats as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of African Medical students, Associate Editor at the International Journal of Medical Students, Managing Editor at the Anatomy Journal of Africa and Reviewer Board Member of the International Journal of Clinical Investigations and Case Reports.
joan.ruguru@annalsofafricansurgery.com
Ruguru Kimani is a Sixth year undertaking Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. She is also an award winning blogger of her platform Exciting Parenting. She also serves as an Editor of her School Magazine at JKUAT.
MOHAMED ONYANGO
mohamed.onyango@annalsofafricansurgery.com
Mohamed Onyango is a fourth-year student undertaking Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Nairobi. He is an anatomist with an interest in biostatistics and medical ethics. Mohamed also co-chairs the Scientific Committee of Research search club in his school.
joy.mmuli@annalsofafricansurgery.com
Joy Mueni Muli is a Sixth year undertaking Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, at the University of Nairobi. She has several creative pursuits; is a singer/ songwriter with The Refinery band, a graphic designer and saxophonist. She also passionately runs a blog called Bloom.
JAMES WAMBUA KIILU
james.kiilu@annalsofafricansurgery.com
James Kiilu is a fourth-year student undertaking Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Nairobi. He serves as the secretary for the public health Club of the university of Nairobi. Outside the school, he serves as the head of community engagement at the Integrated Cancer Research Foundation of Kenya.
ALICE UMUTONI
alice.umutoni@annalsofafricansurgery.com
Alice Umutoni is a final-year medical student from the University of Rwanda, Kigali. An editorial intern at the Annals of African Surgery which is affiliated with the University of Nairobi.
Serving in the Association of future African neurosurgeons (AFAN) as country representation and assistant Grant development officer, while also representing AFAN in the G4 alliance.
She has been serving as a student representative in Operation Smile Rwanda
She has co-authored different published articles in the field of neurosurgery.
Her ambitions extend beyond being a mere clinician but envision creating a space for primary health prevention, and also using her knowledge and skills to provide accessible and affordable medical services and equipment through innovations that are suitable for developing countries.
TALHA CHAUDHRY
talha.chaudhry@annalsofafricansurgery.com
Talha Chaudhry is a fifth-year student undertaking Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Nairobi. He is an anatomist with an interest in translational anatomy, biostatistics and the application of AI in medicine. Talha is also serves as the Scientific Lead in the ReMed and University of Nairobi research clubs.