The Kenyan research community has once again caught the attention of the world, after five scholars at Aga Khan University appeared among the best in the world on the renowned World’s Top 2% Scientists List 2024, published by Stanford University.
The yearly World’s Top 2% Scientists List draws from Elsevier’s Scopus database and represents a snapshot of the top scientists in the world who have demonstrated superior performance in their field given their citation impact and quality of their publications.
The list is considered among the most reliable measures of true academic excellence and encompasses medicine and public health, education, and the social sciences.
Some of the Kenyan scientists listed in the World’s Top 2% Scientists List are:
Dr. Salim Virani, Vice Provost for Research and Professor of Population Health
Dr. Marleen Temmerman, Director of the Centre for Excellence in Women and Child Health, East Africa
Dr. Lukoye Atwoli, Dean, Medical College, East Africa
Dr. Amina Abubakar, Director, Institute for Human Development
Dr. Rodney Adam, Professor, Department of Infectious Diseases
Dr. Robert Opoka, Associate Dean, Undergraduate Medical Education
Also being honored for his career-long contributions is Dr. Mansoor Saleh, Founding Director of AKU’s Cancer Centre.
Their inclusion among the top 2% of world scientists is indicative of decades of groundbreaking research into public health and improvement in healthcare systems that has influenced global policy.
Together, these researchers have advanced Kenya’s reputation for research and improved lives for millions across East Africa. These rankings speak to the caliber of minds that AKU continues to nurture, said Dr. Salim S. Virani, Vice Provost for Research.
They reaffirm our mission to push the boundaries of knowledge while building research partnerships that drive innovation and impact communities across Africa.
This recognition is a testament to Kenya’s voice, which is increasingly important in international research, and it shows how premier universities like AKU are creating world-recognized experts.
Most of the scientists listed hold leadership positions in various international organizations and have played a critical role in shaping evidence-based policies while mentoring the next generation of African researchers.
From medical breakthroughs and human development to education, these Kenyan scholars are setting new benchmarks of excellence, solidifying the nation’s place in the World’s Top 2% Scientists List and affirming that the future of research in Africa is bright and globally relevant.
