…a new individual! Sebastien Kenmoe, a Researcher with specialist expertise in Global Public Health, recently joined the Africa Evidence Network (AEN) because its mission closely aligns with both his career and his commitment to evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM) in Africa.
Sebastien trained originally as a wet-lab scientist and completed a PhD in 2017 between the University of Yaoundé I in Cameroon and the University of Caen in France. His research focused on the molecular epidemiology of respiratory viruses in Cameroon. At the Centre Pasteur of Cameroon, he strengthened respiratory virus surveillance through molecular diagnostics, sequencing, and genomic epidemiology. He also supported outbreak investigations and helped expand laboratory capacity during the COVID-19 response.
Alongside this work, he developed a strong interest in evidence synthesis. He led about ten systematic reviews related to his PhD dissertation.
Motivated to share his experience, in 2022, Sebastien founded the Evidence Synthesis Training Association (ESTA) in Cameroon to train researchers through a learning-by-doing approach. ESTA has coordinated more than 35 multidisciplinary systematic reviews, connected over 200 researchers, and demonstrated a proof of concept for a sustainable model for research capacity strengthening in Africa.
Later in 2022, he joined the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Global Health. He worked on respiratory syncytial virus evidence that informed global vaccine policy at a pivotal time for maternal RSV immunisation and monoclonal antibody deployment. This experience reinforced his belief in the power of high-quality evidence to shape policy.
Today, Sebastien aims to develop ESTA into a regional centre for evidence synthesis, One Health research, and capacity strengthening. He recognises that lasting organisations require skills beyond research, and he is developing his leadership, partnership-building, and fundraising skills.
He joined AEN to learn from experienced colleagues, build collaborations, and contribute to locally led evidence generation that combines regional knowledge, global expertise, rigorous methods, and supports EIDM in Africa.
