SCHOLARS
POHER is involved in supporting education locally and internationally. Since its inception, the program has sponsored 49 students across the African continent from Nigeria, Zambia, Cameroon, Malaysia, South Sudan/Egypt, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Ghana and Rwanda. Selection criteria include academic excellence, social responsibility, community involvement, financial need, and the personal impact that the award will have on the recipient's academic aspirations.
The POHER mentorship program is a comprehensive program that will help mentees develop a clinical research project and their long-term career interest. The program will introduce mentees to the basic concepts of clinical research, good clinical practice, and provide an opportunity for mentees to present their research progress to an audience of POHER mentors for expert input. In addition, the POHER mentorship program will empower mentees with the skills needed to build a professional network (including membership in professional organizations) and patient advocacy. The Scholars will acknowledge POHER in work accomplished as a POHER scholar and will acknowledge their mentors as co-authors in publications as well.
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POHER 2025 SCHOLARS
POHER Scholars Program 2025
The POHER Scholars program is a formal research mentorship program that aims to:
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Introduce Scholars to key principles in scientific research and to provide career guidance
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Foster a learning environment where scholars present and hear each other's research ideas through work in progress meetings with experts and peers
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Provide guidance on research conference attendance and development of abstracts and manuscripts
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Enable networking and collaborations with peers and mentors to develop professional relationships across Africa and implement research projects and other collaborative academic projects
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Provide opportunities to attend an online global health course and other career-related courses
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Provide opportunities to help organize POHER's Annual Research and Mentorship Symposium for African biomedical trainees
POHER Scholars also become eligible to apply to the POHER-Mizzou global health research elective course.
Please note this program does NOT pay for medical school.
SELECTION CRITERIA
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Currently enrolled medical student in an AFRICAN medical school (MD, MBBS; MBChB program or equivalent)
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Graduation from medical school after January 2026
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Interested in research
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Possess leadership potential
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Motivation to receive research and career mentorship
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Commitment to actively participate in POHER Scholar Program activities throughout the year, including participating and presenting at Work-in-Progress virtual meetings and attending and assisting with POHER educational webinars
*** Prior research experience is not a pre-requisite to apply.
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Applications are now closed. The 2025 POHER Scholars have been selected and are featured below.
Thank you to everyone who applied to this year’s program.
POHER Scholars 2025
Chris Garang Bol Malek
North Africa Representative
Suez University
Egypt (South Sudan)
Esther Opio Anthony Yugu
North Africa Representative
Helwan University
Egypt (South Sudan)
Patricia Wanjiru Kamau
East Africa Representative
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
Kenya
Derlyne Nyakara Omwoyo
East Africa
Egerton University
Kenya
Frank-Awat Abaiweh
Central Africa Representative
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea
Cameroon
Shirley Sarah Dadson
West Africa Representative
University of Ghana Medical School
Ghana
Olayinka Ibukunoluwa Olatunbosun
West Africa Representative
University of Ilorin
Nigeria
Korede Oluwadamilare Adekanye
West Africa Representative
Bowen University
Nigeria
King Mwila
Southern Africa Representative
The Copperbelt University Michael Chilufya Sata School of Medicine
Zambia
Teddy Mukuka
Southern Africa Representative
The Copperbelt University Michael Chilufya Sata School of Medicine
Zambia
ALUMS
Our POHER alums are leaders and emerging leaders in health, education, and research across the globe. They continue to make significant contributions through academic excellence, impactful research, and community engagement. As mentors, advocates, and innovators, POHER alums uphold our mission of advancing equitable healthcare and education, creating a powerful network of changemakers shaping the future.