Kenyan Researchers Among World’s Top 2% Most-cited Scientists

Five faculty from the Aga Khan University (AKU), Kenya, have been named among the World's Top 2% Scientists List for 2024 by Stanford University. The annual list, considered one of the most respected global benchmarks, identifies leading researchers across a wide range of disciplines. Rankings are based on standardized citation data from Elsevier’s Scopus database, which assesses the influence of scientists through academic citations and the quality of the peer-reviewed journals where their work appears. The list includes Dr Salim Virani, Vice Provost Research and Professor of Population Health, Dr Marleen Temmerman, Director, 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; and Dr Robert Opoka, Associate Dean, Undergraduate Medical Education. Also mentioned in the list for his career-long impact is Dr Mansoor Saleh, Founding Director of AKU’s Cancer Centre. Their work has made a lasting impact on the quality of life for the people in East Africa and beyond. Many hold leadership positions at various national and international agencies and represent the multitude of scholars at AKU who are contributing at the highest level internationally. Their work has advanced standards of care, strengthened evidence-based policymaking, and inspired generations of professionals dedicated to serving their communities and pushing the boundaries of health, education and research. “These rankings reflect not only the incredible talent housed within AKU but also the University’s steadfast dedication to fostering an environment of excellence,” said Dr Salim S. Virani, Vice Provost, Research and Professor of Population Health at AKU. “We have consistently invested in state-of-the-art research facilities and fostered collaborations with world-leading institutions to encourage the pursuit of quality and innovation in our research.” The recognition also highlights Kenya’s growing presence in global research and the calibre of scientists the country continues to produce through research-intensive institutions like AKU.