Melanie Awino Abongo

Speaker Information

Melanie A. Abongo is a public health professional, researcher, nurse, and academic based in Nairobi, Kenya, with extensive experience in maternal health, mental health, clinical research, and health systems strengthening in low- and middle-income country settings. She is currently a PhD candidate in Public Health at the KEMRI Graduate School (JKUAT) and holds a Master of Science in Public Health (Monitoring and Evaluation) and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Her professional background spans clinical trials, ethical research oversight, public health programming, and academic teaching. Melanie has contributed to research in maternal and neonatal health, HIV/AIDS, antimicrobial resistance, oncology, and health systems integration, with peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations at national and international levels. She has received competitive research grants from institutions including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the International AIDS Society.

Melanie is also a trained health counselor with Postpartum Support International, where she provides psychosocial support to women experiencing postnatal depression and anxiety. Her work emphasizes evidence-based screening, ethical practice, and strengthening referral and linkage systems for maternal mental health care. Passionate about equity-driven and culturally responsive approaches, she advocates for integrating mental health into routine maternal services and advancing policies that promote dignity, access, and holistic wellbeing for women and families.