In today’s rapidly evolving academic landscape, the ability to adapt and grow is crucial for researchers and institutions alike. CARTA has been a beacon of support, especially for James Kangethe, a cohort 10 fellow at the University of Nairobi. CARTA has significantly enhanced his professional and academic practices through its comprehensive capacity-building initiatives, such as the Joint Advanced Seminars (JASes), fostering improved teamwork, personalized approaches, and ethical standards. His emphasis on collaboration has refined his role definition and teamwork skills with colleagues and international researchers. The focus on tailored behavior change strategies has guided his work to better address individual needs, while CARTA’s commitment to ethical practices has strengthened his adherence to autonomy, cultural sensitivity, and evidence-based methods. He has applied these advancements across diverse settings, demonstrating the direct impact of CARTA on his development.

The CARTA program has significantly enhanced his academic and professional practices at the University of Nairobi by encouraging his active involvement in research and training. His participation has fostered a dynamic research environment, leading to the active submission of abstracts and the dissemination of results at international scientific conferences. This has strengthened his relationships with international researchers and facilitated the creation of multidisciplinary networks for future collaborative projects and publications.

Additionally, he has engaged in grant-writing activities through CARTA and the University of Nairobi, successfully securing competitive travel grants for conferences. Capacity-building activities focused on writing manuscripts, grant applications, and policy briefs have become a standard component of his offerings to ECRs at his home institution. He will integrate this with implementation science in health to ensure the practical application of research findings in public health practice, thereby bridging the “know-do gap.”

For James, the impact of the CARTA program is significant, both personally and for the University of Nairobi. On a personal level, the program has been instrumental in advancing his research skills and expanding his professional connections, which are vital for his growth in academia. His active participation in international conferences and successful grant writing have significantly increased his recognition and standing in the global research community. For the institution, the integration of CARTA’s capacity-building initiatives, including manuscript preparation, grant writing, and policy brief development, has greatly enhanced its support for ECRs. This contribution is critical to creating a vibrant research environment and advancing research objectives.

Furthermore, incorporating implementation science guarantees the effective application of research findings in public health, bridging the critical gap between knowledge and practice. This strengthens the University of Nairobi’s position and contribution to addressing global health issues and mentoring ECRs. James attributes these accomplishments to CARTA, its Secretariat, his primary mentors, and CARTA peer fellows who have been part of his journey.

Photo credits: Freepik

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