Grants Administration International Network (GAIN) Program

Derrick Bary Abila, BSC., MBChB, MPH
Medical Officer
Uganda Cancer Institute 

Dr. Derrick Bary Abila holds a Bachelor of Science in Cytotechnology, an MBChB from Makerere University in Uganda, and a Master of Public Health from the University of Manchester in the UK. He works as a medical doctor at the Uganda Cancer Institute in Kampala. He also serves as research program manager at the Uganda Child Cancer Foundation, where he conducts research to improve outcomes for children with cancer. Dr. Abila has more than seven years of experience in clinical, public health, and global health research. His interests include chronic non-communicable diseases like cancer, women's and children's health, mobile health, and the links between infectious diseases and cancer. 

He has served on several international, multidisciplinary committees that promote global health. These include the Global Breast Cancer Initiative of the World Health Organization. He also participates in NCD Labs of the WHO’s Global Coordination Mechanism on Noncommunicable Diseases, the Global Burden of Disease Studies with the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, and the Trainee Advisory Committee of the Consortium of Universities for Global Health.

Ezra Anecho, MME
Grants Management Officer
Uganda Cancer Institute

Ezra Anecho is a Quantitative Economist specializing in research administration. He has managed research grants, led resource mobilization efforts, and directed monitoring and evaluation activities. Over the past nine years, he has overseen proposal development teams, secured institutional funding through targeted initiatives, and strengthened operational capacity for diverse research programs. 

Mr. Anecho established and leads the Grants Office at Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI), where he develops and oversees grant application strategies, manages donor relationships, and directs financial planning, securing over $10 million for research and treatment programs. He also serves as the monitoring and evaluation specialist for the African Development Bank's $33 million project, “Establishment of the East Africa Centre of Excellence for Oncology Project,” where he is responsible for designing, implementing, and reporting on performance frameworks and impact assessments.

Nguyen Thuy Anh, MSW 
Research Manager 
Hanoi Medical University 

Nguyen Thuy Anh is a public health and clinical research professional with over 10 years of experience, having held roles such as research coordinator and capacity-building specialist in international research, clinical trials, and community-based health programs. She collaborates with leading institutions, focusing as a project lead on HIV/AIDS, smoking cessation, drug and alcohol services, and preventive medicine. She applies a multidisciplinary, people-centered approach to improve health outcomes in Vietnam and beyond.

Nguyen Bui Phuong Anh, BS 
Finance Officer 
Hanoi Medical University 

Nguyen Bui Phuong Anh is a finance officer at the National Cancer Institute, affiliated with K Hospital in Vietnam. She has a proactive, solutions-oriented approach and plays a key role in the Institute’s administrative and organizational activities. Committed to professional growth, Phuong Anh is pursuing further training to expand her knowledge and skills, which she will apply to her current responsibilities. Her dedication to optimizing work processes and supporting institutional growth is driven by a passion for advancing cancer prevention research.

Yanina Archenti
Administrative Assistant 
Instituto de Investigación Nutricional 

Yanina Archenti is a translator with a strong background in the humanities. She has extensive experience as a clinical research translator and regulatory process coordinator. Yanina is skilled at collaborating with regulatory bodies, including the Ministry of Health, the General Directorate of Medicines, Supplies and Drugs, and Research Ethics Committees. She has managed complex regulatory administrative processes, overseeing documentation and communication. Yanina brings leadership, teamwork, responsibility, and strong organizational skills. Her quick learning has helped her succeed in demanding environments. She values teamwork and strives to foster a respectful, supportive atmosphere.

Phuong Hoai Thi Bach, MS 
Researcher 
Vietnam National Cancer Institute 

Bach Thi Hoai Phuong is a molecular biologist at the National Cancer Institute, K Hospital, in Vietnam, where she leads research projects focused on the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying cancer. She graduated with distinction from the Honors Program in Biology at the University of Science, Vietnam National University Hanoi. She earned a master’s degree in Physiology, Epigenetics, and Development from the University of Grenoble, France, in 2016. Her work involves applying advanced molecular biology technologies, such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), to identify gene mutations linked to drug response and cancer prognosis. She also investigates genetic epidemiological characteristics in the Vietnamese population.

Vivian Bayo, BBA 
Grants Management Officer 
Uganda Cancer Institute 

Vivian Bayo is an experienced grants, finance, and administration professional. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Makerere University Business School and formal training in grants writing and management. As a grants and research administrator at the Uganda Cancer Institute, she supports researchers and principal investigators through the full grant lifecycle: proposal development, post-award management, financial accountability, donor reporting, and audits. She has experience in finance and administration at the Uganda Child Cancer Foundation and in other roles. Vivian brings strong expertise in grants management, financial reporting, payroll, and institutional operations. She is reliable, highly organized, and an effective communicator with a proven ability to collaborate in multidisciplinary teams.

Leonard Bett, MBA 
Director Finance 
AIC Kijabe Hospital 

Leonard Bett, Director of Finance at AIC Kijabe Hospital, is a finance professional with over 10 years of experience in internal audit, risk management, and financial controls. He holds an MBA in Finance, a BCom in Accounting, and a Higher Diploma in Human Resource Management. Leonard is a CPA, a Certified Investment & Financial Analyst, and a member of IIA-Kenya and ICPAK. He previously served on the ICPAK South Rift Branch Executive Committee. Currently, he leads a team of 60 finance professionals and has streamlined the hospital's financial processes, ensuring robust controls and effective donor funding management.

Happy Bukata 
Accountant 
University of Zambia 

Happy Bukata joined the University of Zambia in June 2006 as a Students' Welfare Officer. In 2012, Happy transferred to the Finance Department after completing a finance and accounting certification. In the Finance Department, he rose from assistant accountant to full accountant. He participated in several projects funded by NIH, the Scottish Government, the European Union, WHO, and UNICEF. Mr. Bukata is currently an Accountant at the University of Zambia.

Katherin Carrasco, BS 
Project Administrator 
Instituto de Investigación Nutricional 

Katherin Carrasco is a business administration professional with over eight years of experience in administration, logistics, and project management. She has coordinated research teams and managed large health projects. She has studied leadership and corporate responsibility. She has also received international training in research administration. Her experience includes managing budgets, preparing reports, and ensuring compliance with policies. She has advanced English skills, as evidenced by formal studies at the Centro Cultural Británico and by her professional use. She is known for strong organizational skills, adaptability, discretion, and a results-driven approach.

Chrispin Dilema, MA 
Grants Officer 
University of Zambia 

Chrispin Dilema is an acting grants officer in the Directorate of Research and Development at the University of Zambia in Lusaka. He holds a Master of Arts in Economic Policy Management (2015) and a Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies (2011). He also has certificates in Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation (2012) and Good Financial Grants Practice (2025). With one year of grants administration experience, he is skilled in proposal development, donor compliance, and monitoring funded projects. He aligns research outputs with national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals. Chrispin is passionate about transparency, institutional capacity building, and fostering strategic collaborations.

Ha Do, MD 
Staff Scientist 
Vietnam National Cancer Institute 

Ha Do is a staff member of the Department of Cancer Epidemiology at the National Institute for Cancer Control in Vietnam. With a Doctor of Preventive Medicine degree, Ha aims to contribute to cancer prevention and control. Ha's research focuses on non-communicable diseases, especially cancer epidemiology and risk factors. Dr. Do studies the feasibility of cancer screening in low-resource settings and cancer registration. Ha is also interested in cancer control and outcome research to improve patients’ quality of life. Experience at the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology and the National Cancer Institute has strengthened Ha's skills in data management, analysis, and scientific writing. These skills support Ha's long-term goal of becoming an academic researcher.

Doan Thi Hoa, MS 
Office Director 
Vietnam National Cancer Institute 

Doan Thi Hoa is the chief of office at the Vietnam National Cancer Institute. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Accounting from the National Economics University and has over 10 years of experience in financial accounting, payment processing, budget management, office administration, and team leadership. 

She holds both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in accounting from the National Economics University. 

With over ten years of professional experience, she has developed substantial expertise in financial accounting, payment processing, budget management, and office administration. 

With professional experience, she has developed extensive expertise in financial accounting,  payment processing, budget management, and office administration. In addition, she also demonstrates strong capabilities in team leadership and organizational management, contributing significantly to the Institute's effective operation. She is committed to continuous professional development and seeks further training to enhance her knowledge and implement innovative practices that support the organization’s sustainable growth.

Anthony Kayiira, MD, MSc, MMED 
Research Associate Oncofertility 
Uganda Cancer Institute 

Dr. Anthony Kayiira is a Ugandan clinician-scientist and board-certified reproductive embryologist specializing in oncofertility and cancer survivorship in low-resource settings. He is a clinical research fellow at the Uganda Cancer Institute, where his work focuses on improving fertility preservation and reproductive outcomes for pediatric, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors. Trained in medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, and clinical embryology at Makerere University, Uganda Martyrs University, and the University of Oxford, he combines clinical expertise with implementation science. Dr. Kayiira has received multiple international awards and leads research on oncofertility policy and practice in Africa.  

Anita Kelly Zeramula, Adv. Dip IT 
Administrator/Regulatory Affairs 
Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute 

Anita K. Zeramula, a regulatory research officer, brings more than seven years of experience in the research industry. She supports both international and local studies by providing regulatory and administrative oversight for each project. Anita collaborates closely with investigators, ethics committees, and regulatory authorities to meet all national and international requirements. 

Anita is trained in financial management and contributes to budget planning, financial reporting, and sponsor compliance. She led the approval of more than 93 research projects and maintains high acceptance rates by applying attention to detail and strong regulatory knowledge. 

Colleagues recognize Anita for her strong communication, project management, and teamwork skills. She collaborates with cross-functional teams and dedicates herself to advancing ethical, high-quality research that improves public health. Anita commits to growing professionally in research governance and program coordination.

Ly Le Thi, BS 
Administrator 
Vietnam National Cancer Institute 

Ly Le Thi is an administrative and research support officer at the Cancer Epidemiology Department, Vietnam National Cancer Institute, Vietnam National Cancer Hospital. She provides coordination and technical support for cancer registry activities, including data collection and management, and supports the implementation of research projects, training programs, seminars, and expert meetings. She has over 15 years of experience in administrative management for national and international cooperation projects, including JICA-funded vaccine production projects. She holds degrees in English and Library and Information Science, and has strong organizational, communication, and documentation skills.

Ngoc Lung Bich, MSc 
Grant Manager 
Hanoi Medical University 

Lung Bich Ngoc serves as the program coordinator and grant manager at the Center for Training and Research on Substance Abuse and HIV at Hanoi Medical University. She earned a master’s degree in medical anthropology from the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. She has three years of experience as a grant manager for NIH-funded research subawards between Hanoi Medical University and U.S. institutions, and six years of experience coordinating collaborative projects between Hanoi Medical University and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Through this partnership, she contributed to establishing a PrEP clinic that provides comprehensive health services, including HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening and treatment, as well as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) services.

Ngenda Mbindawina, MBA, MS 
Accountant 
University of Zambia 

Mr. Ngenda Mbindawina is an accountant with a background in grants accounting, holding an ACCA qualification, an MBA in Management Strategy, and a master’s in criminology and security from the University of Zambia. With over 20 years of experience at the University of Zambia, he has developed expertise in managing and accounting for project grants, ensuring compliance with donor requirements and university policies. He has a proven track record of successfully managing grants across various departments, including the School of Medicine, INESOR, and the Research and Innovation Hub. As a fellow member of ACCA and an associate member of ZICA, he is committed to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism. Currently, he serves as an accountant at the Research and Innovation Hub, leveraging his grants and accounting expertise to drive financial excellence.

Samuel Mureithi, CPA 
Manager-Finance 
AIC Kijabe Hospital 

Samuel is a certified public accountant (CPA-K) and finance professional with over 12 years of experience in healthcare, security, and construction sectors. He currently serves as a finance manager at AIC Kijabe Hospital, responsible for financial reporting, budgeting, audits, tax, grants management, systems automation, and financial strategy. Samuel holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) degree, has completed an Enterprise Development Program (EDP), is a Certified Credit Professional (CCP), and is finalizing a thesis paper on FBH governance for his master’s degree. He is a member of ICPAK and the Institute of Internal Auditors of Kenya.

Martha Philipo Mwalugaja, BA 
Project Administrator 
Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute 

Martha Philipo Mwalugaja is a dedicated Health Research Administrator with 8 years of experience supporting research projects through effective coordination, documentation, and compliance management. She works closely with researchers and project teams to manage study schedules, maintain accurate records, and ensure compliance with ethics and regulatory requirements. Known for her attention to detail and clear communication, Martha helps ensure research activities run smoothly and meet institutional and funding standards. She is comfortable managing multiple priorities in fast-paced research environments and takes pride in contributing to high-quality, ethical health research that supports positive outcomes for communities.

Chrispin Mwango, MSc, BSc 
Accountant 
University of Zambia 

Chrispin Mushika Mwango is a Zambian Chartered Accountant and seasoned finance professional with over 18 years of experience in accounting, finance, and administration. He is a fellow of the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (FZICA) and a Member of the Institute of Internal Auditors Zambia (M’IIAZ). Chrispin holds a BSc in accounting and finance from the University of Zambia and an MSc in Accounting and Finance from the Copperbelt University. He currently serves at the University of Zambia and works as a project accountant for two projects with Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC).

Judith Nassozi, BBA 
Accountant 
Uganda Cancer Institute 

Judith is an accountant with six years of experience ensuring compliant grant management in the nonprofit and public sectors. She holds a bachelor's in business administration (Accounting), an Accounting Technician Diploma, and is pursuing a master's degree in the same field at Makerere University. She is experienced in financial reporting, budget monitoring, and donor compliance, with a focus on clear communication and accountability. Specializing in financial reporting, budget monitoring, and donor compliance, she excels in clear communication and accountability. With a composed, detail-oriented, and collaborative approach, she transforms complex grant requirements into practical systems that empower effective stewardship and program success.

Beryl Ooro, MBCHB, FCS (ECSA) 
Doctor - Researcher 
AIC Kijabe Hospital 

Dr. B. Akinyi Ooro is a Kenyan general surgeon, a graduate of the University of Nairobi, with postgraduate training in General Surgery (FCS-ECSA). She is currently based at AIC Kijabe Hospital, where she serves as the program director for the General Surgery Training Program. Her professional interests include breast oncology, medical education, and clinical research, with a strong commitment to capacity building and surgical training in resource-limited settings.

Alice Osiemo, MPH, BSc 
Grants Administrator 
AIC Kijabe Hospital 

Alice Osiemo is a public health professional with a BSc from the University of Eastern Africa, Baraton, and an MPH from Adventist University of Africa. She has over 10 years of experience in project management, research, and evaluation for community health programs. Alice serves as the research and grants administrator at AIC Kijabe Hospital, where she coordinates research and grant projects. Previously, she was assistant operations manager at Equity Group Foundation-Equity Afia, overseeing program scaling and operations for a network of over 100 medical facilities. Alice brings strong leadership, data collection, and computer skills, and excels in various work environments.

George Otieno, MBChB, MMed 
Doctor - Researcher 
AIC Kijabe Hospital 

Dr. Otieno is a consultant physician cardiologist with over 13 years of clinical experience. He has a track record of delivering results to the various firms and organizations he has consulted for, including AIC Kijabe Hospital, AIDA Healthcare Foundation, and The Karen Hospital. Being a highly driven individual with strong internal motivation and a high sense of integrity, he has run a change management programme at his current workplace, leading over 900 employees through cultural change. His current interests are research and research methods, and he is currently the principal investigator in a multinational clinical trial, The Breathe study.

Perfect Shankalala, MSc 
Research Manager 
University of Zambia 

Perfect Shankalala is a seasoned project coordinator/grants manager with over a decade of experience in public health and project administration and management. He has a proven track record in managing complex, high-value international grants, including awards from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Unitaid, and EDCTP. His expertise lies in ensuring seamless operational execution, rigorous financial compliance, and impactful results for global health research and capacity-building initiatives. Perfect is recognized for his strategic oversight, meticulous attention to detail, and commitment to advancing scientific training and public health outcomes.

Gilbert Shao, MS 
Head of Finance 
Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute 

As Head of Finance, Gilbert brings over eight years of expertise in project and entity funds management. He drives project budgeting, oversees funds management, delivers precise financial reporting, leads audits, and shapes accounting guidelines. Gilbert serves as a strategic financial adviser to management and the director. His research management experience is strengthened by strong analytical skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. Gilbert is committed to continual knowledge improvement through learning and mentorship programs and to mentoring others, thereby enhancing the quality of his organization's research deliverables. He looks forward to contributing to the collective success and ongoing growth within the teams.

Jackline Somi, MA 
Administrator 
Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute 

Jackline Somi is an administrator at the KCRI Biotechnology Laboratory in Tanzania. She manages research activities, coordinates projects, and supports scientific teams to strengthen research systems. Her primary focus is on building effective administrative structures that ensure regulatory compliance, improve laboratory operations, and enhance research quality. Committed to advancing global health security, Jackline promotes women's leadership in science and supports collaborative initiatives for innovation and capacity-building in research and public health.

Jose Antonio Vivanco Trinidad, MS 
Administrative Director 
Instituto de Investigación Nutricional 

With over 10 years of experience leading Administration and Finance teams, Jose serves as the Administrative Director at Instituto de Investigación Nutricional. He is a business engineer trained at Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, with a master's degree in Corporate Finance from Universidad del Pacífico and an International Diploma in Commercial Management (ESIC-ESAN). His experience centers on strengthening institutional performance through effective management.