Program

Central Africa Time (CAT)

Time

Noon – 12:45 PM

1:00 - 1:15 PM

Day 1 Program

Pre-Conference Workshop

Lunch/Refreshments

Welcome and Introductions

Dr. Akwi Asombang
Bupe Collins
Patricia Wanjiru
Derlyne Nyakara

1:15 - 3:15 PM

Part 1: Research Skill Development - Anatomy and Life Cycle of a Research Article
Co-leads:

Dr. Seth Bloom
Dr. Chileshe Mabula-Bwalya
Professor Moses Obimbo

3:15 - 5:00 PM

5:00 - 5:45 PM

6:00 - 8:00 PM

Part 2: Focused Group Discussions: Mental Wellbeing
Co-leads:

Dr. Akwi Asombang
Dr. Catherine Muyeba
Dr. Chileshe Mabula-Bwalya
Olive Strachan MBE

Meals

Dinner & AfriMind Innovation Competition
Judges:

Dr. Catherine Muyeba,
Dr. Chileshe Mabula-Bwalya
Ms. Olive Strachan

Moderators:

Derlyne Nyakara
Patricia Wanjiru

Central Africa Time (CAT)

Time

7:30 - 7:55 AM

8:00 - 8:05 AM

8:05 – 08:50 AM

09:00 – 10:00 AM

10:00 – 10:15 AM

10:15 – 10:40 AM

10:45 AM – 11:45 AM

Noon -12:55 PM

1:00 - 2:00 PM

2:00 - 2:30 PM

2:30 - 2:45 PM

2:45 - 3:15 PM

3:15 - 4:15 PM

Day 3 Program

Doors Open & Check-in

Welcome Remarks
Dr. Akwi Asombang
Interventional Gastroenterologist
POHER Co-founder

Keynote: My Journey as a Physician-Scientist: The Balance of Clinical Care and Research
Professor Moses Obimbo Madadi
Obstetrician & Gynecologist
Professor and Chairman, Department of Human Anatomy and Medical Physiology, University of Nairobi, Kenya

ORAL ABSTRACT PRESENTATIONS
Multiple presentations by medical students/professionals about their research (results or preliminary findings)

TEA BREAK

POSTER SESSION

Multiple posters created by medical students/professionals about their research (results or preliminary findings)

OPEN DISCUSSION

LUNCH

Summary of Pre-conference Discussion: Identified Challenges and Solutions Among Medical Students, Allied Health Students, and Early Career Professionals
Presenters:

Derlyne Nyakara - POHER 2025 Scholar
Patricia Wanjiru - POHER 2025 Scholar

POSTER SESSION
Multiple posters created by medical students/professionals about their research (results or preliminary findings)

TEA BREAK

The Career Pathway for Biomedical Scientists: What is a Biomedical Scientist and What are Career Options?
Speaker: Mr. Mutale Mubanga

President, Biomedical Society of Zambia
Manager, Laboratory Servies, Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)

Panel Discussion: Getting Funding: Scholarships, Grants, Master’s, PhD, and More

Panelists:

Dr Annel Sinkala - Infectious Diseases Registrar, Mandela Washington Fellow, Zambia
Dr Mwenya Mubanga - Epidemiologist, Swedish Institute scholarship, Zambia
Dr Mable Kipenda - Medical Doctor and Public Health Professional, Chevening scholarship, Zambia
Dr. Chileshe Mabula-Bwalya - Medical Doctor and Clinical researcher, PhD candidate, Funding PhD studies, United Kingdom
Dr Chimba Sanga - Medical Doctor and Provincial Medical Officer, Commonwealth scholarship, Zambia

4:15 - 5:00

TEA BREAK

5:00 PM

Award Ceremony and Closing
Dr. Akwi Asombang

Central Africa Time (CAT)

Time

7:30 - 7:55 AM

8:00 - 8:10 AM

Day 2 Program

Doors Open & Check-In

Welcome Remarks

Dr. Akwi Asombang
Interventional Gastroenterologist
POHER Co-founder

8:10 - 8:15 AM

Opening Remarks
Isaac Fred Lungu
Former President, UNILUS Medical Student Association
UNILUS School of Medicine
Session Chair, Medical Student

8:15 - 8:30 AM

Review of Presentations and Awards Remarks
Dr. Seth Bloom
Infectious Disease Physician-Scientist
POHER Board Member

8:30 - 8:55 AM

Guest of Honor Remarks
Professor Kasonde Bowa
Dean School of Medicine and Health Sciences
UNILUS School of Medicine and Health Sciences

9:00 - 9:45 AM

Keynote: Purpose-Driven Leadership and Conflict Resolution for Successful Team Engagement.
Olive Strachan MBE
Chartered ChCCIPD, MSc (HRM)
Leadership Development| Conference Speaker | Diversity and Inclusion Specialist | Consultant| Executive Coach.

9:45 -10:20 AM

10:20 AM – 1:00 PM

TEA BREAK

ORAL ABSTRACT PRESENTATIONS
Multiple presentations by medical students/professionals about their research (results or preliminary findings)

1:00 – 2:00 PM

2:00 – 3:30 PM

LUNCH

ORAL ABSTRACT PRESENTATIONS
Multiple presentations by medical students/professionals about their research (results or preliminary findings)

3:30 – 4:00 PM

Local and Global Impact: Participation in Policy - Who, Why, and When?

Speaker: Professor Emmanuel Makasa

Consultant Surgeon and Executive Director of the Centre for Surgical Healthcare Research (CSHR), University Teaching Hospital

4:00 – 5:00 PM

Panel Discussion: Ready, Set, Family: Exploring the Right Time for Marriage and Children
Panelists:

Dr. Kanyanta Sunkutu - Public Health Physician & Global Health Executive, South Africa
Dr. Kapalasa Viola Kasempa - General Surgery Resident, Zambia
Dr. Nomalanga Moyo - General Medical Doctor, Zambia
Dr. Racheal Mkalipi - General Medical Doctor, Zambia
Dr. Horeb Munsaka - Dental Surgeon, Zambia
Dr. Thandiwe Banda - General Medical Doctor, Zambia

5:00 PM

Closing Remarks
Dr. Akwi Asombang

5:30 - 7:30 PM

Social Event: Trivia Night / Game Night
This quiz competition/game night is an opportunity for in-person attendees to network- build friendships, meet mentors, and get advice while competing.
Hosts:
Dr. Opeoluwa Makinde - POHER Scholar Alum
Patricia Wanjiru - POHER 2025 Scholar
Derlyne Nyakara - POHER 2025 scholar

5:30 - 6:00 PM - Doors open & Appetizers served

6:00 - 7:30 PM - Program & prizes

REGISTRATION OPEN | 8th Annual POHER Medical Research & Mentorship Symposium | November 26–28, 2026 | Lusaka, Zambia & Virtual

Time

Noon – 12:45 PM

1:00 - 1:15 PM

Day 1 Program

Pre-Conference Workshop

Lunch/Refreshments

Welcome and Introductions

Dr. Akwi Asombang

Bupe Collins

Patricia Wanjiru

Derlyne Nyakara

1:15 - 3:15 PM

Part 1: Research Skill Development - Anatomy and Life Cycle of a Research Article Co-leads:

Dr. Seth Bloom

Dr. Chileshe Mabula-Bwalya

Professor Moses Obimbo

3:15 - 5:00 PM

5:00 - 5:45 PM

6:00 - 8:00 PM

Part 2: Focused Group Discussions: Mental Wellbeing Co-leads:

Dr. Akwi Asombang

Dr. Catherine Muyeba

Dr. Chileshe Mabula-Bwalya

Olive Strachan MBE

Meals

Dinner & AfriMind Innovation Competition Judges:​

Dr. Catherine Muyeba,

Dr. Chileshe Mabula-Bwalya

Ms. Olive Strachan ​

Moderators:

Derlyne Nyakara

Patricia Wanjiru

Part 1: Research Skill Development - Anatomy and Life Cycle of a Research Article
Co-leads:

Part 2: Focused Group Discussions: Mental Wellbeing
Co-leads:

Dinner & AfriMind Innovation Competition
Judges:

Ms. Olive Strachan