Our Team

Dr Dawn Duke is Head of Programmes for African Research Excellence Fund (AREF). She oversees AREF’s professional development programmes for postdoctoral researchers in Africa, supporting researchers’ transition to independence. Before joining AREF, she was Head of Researcher Development and Engagement at the University of Surrey, supporting doctoral and early career researchers throughout their career journeys and providing supervisor training. Dawn received her Neuroscience PhD from Imperial College. In 2008, she moved from researching and teaching neuroscience to concentrate fully on supporting the professional development of researchers.  She has a wide range of experience in designing, delivering and strategically leading professional/career development programmes for early career researchers, as well as research supervisors in the UK, Europe and Africa. Dawn is dedicated to supporting the next generation of researcher leaders to take on the challenge of utilising their amazing talent to address the complex problems facing our world today and in the future. She’s on LinkedIn as @Dawn Duke.

Dr. Catherine Kansiime joined AREF in April 2023 as a Researcher Development Manager. She is responsible for the delivery of the portfolio of Academy programmes that includes providing training, developing and delivering professional development for African post-doctoral researchers and early career researchers (ECRs). Catherine holds a BA Social Sciences, MSc Epidemiology and Biostatics and a PhD in Public Health from Makerere University in Uganda. She has 10 years of experience leading research teams and projects. Before joining AREF, she was a Trial Manager leading 60 researchers on Menstrual health interventions, schooling and mental health symptoms among Ugandan students (MENISCUS). A school-based cluster-randomised trial in 60 schools at the MRC -Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit. Catherine is passionate about professional development, leadership and capacity strengthening of researchers. Her other interests are in adolescent health especially Sexual Reproductive Health and women empowerment.

Irene previously served as AREF’s Training Events Manager, Programmes and Office Manager, Data and Governance Manager before assuming her current role. She plays a crucial role in managing and providing governance support to the Africa Research Excellence Fund UK and Africa registered charities’, Board of Trustees and our committees and works with colleagues to ensure good data and governance practices are embedded across the organisation. 

Irene holds an MSc in Marketing and previously worked at QCell, one of The Gambia’s largest telecommunications companies. She now focuses her skills on building AREF’s alumni community and supporting researchers to foster collaborations, to ultimately advance their careers and increase their individual and collective contributions to African health research. 

Carla started working for AREF in January 2023 as Head of Fundraising and is responsible for leading and managing AREF’s fundraising strategy and activities. If you want to add value to our work through institutional donor or individual giving, Carla can help you on how you can make this impact. Carla is an experienced international development professional with an MA in International Relations from the University of Warwick. She has extensive experience in trusts and foundations, institutional fundraising, corporate fundraising and major donor fundraising and has worked with budgets of £3 million+. In addition, she has a strong background in forging impactful and meaningful strategic multi-stakeholder relationships and consortiums with other NGO’s, academics and further tactical collaborations to enhance impact. Prior to joining AREF, Carla worked at AfriKids as Head of Grants and Programme Funding and prior to this she worked on projects specifically focused on Africa in INGOs such as Transform Trade (previously known as Traidcraft Exchange), Youth Business International and Room to Read, where she worked closely with in country teams to devise and write large funding proposals. As part of her roles, she has travelled to both East and West Africa to work with colleagues and key local stakeholders to brainstorm and devise all aspects of funding bids and proposals.

Lamin has been a key member of the AREF team since 2016. His role as Project Manager helps to manage and administer AREF Programmes and events, including Excell Researcher and Leadership Development, Towards Leadership and Mentoring.

He is a graduate from the University of The Gambia with a BSc in Management. His previous employment roles include human resources management and administration in the public sector, being skilled in event and project management, research governance, grant management, and monitoring and evaluation. 

Yahya is a Certified Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist with about 5 years of experience in the field of M&E and Project Management in the international development sector. He has served as M&E Junior Advisor at GIZ International Services, EDI Officer at MRCG at LSHTM, M&E Specialist at ChildFund International, and most recently as MEAL Officer at DCAF – Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance.

Along with several M&E Certifications, he holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Human Resources Management, as well as an Associate Degree in Law from Morocco. As an award-winning member of The Gambia Student’s Association in Morocco (GASAM), he is currently the acting president of the Alumni Association. Yahya is a keen data analyst and ITC4D enthusiast, with a passion for communications and infographics. A bilingual, Yahya also speaks French fluently, with basic knowledge of Arabic and Spanish.

Abbis joined AREF in December 2023. She is a highly skilled and detail-oriented professional with 4 years of experience in project development, planning and implementation. With her strong academic background and practical experience, she is an asset to AREF. In her role as part of the Researcher Development Team, she supports the team with various operational tasks to ensure the successful delivery of Academy and Awards. Prior to joining AREF, Abbis served as a Program Coordinator for TAF Africa Global, where she gained extensive experience in program planning, development, and implementation. She is dedicated to making a positive impact through her work.

Malick is a highly experienced teacher and community development worker who has committed his career to improving education and quality of life in Gambia. His excellent Higher Teacher’s certificate from Gambia College and his bachelor’s degree in development studies from the University of the Gambia have provided him with the knowledge and skills to be a valuable asset to any organization. Malick worked at the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and Future in Our Hands The Gambia, where he aimed to improve access to education and promote sustainable development in rural communities. His expertise in community development and commitment to making a positive impact on society have made him a perfect fit for the International Organization for Migration, where he worked to promote a safe and dignified return and sustainable reintegration of migrants. Now, as a Project Officer who joined the African Research Excellent Fund in November 2023, he is sure to make a significant contribution to supporting African researchers and promoting excellence in research across the continent.

Sereign recently joined AREF in December 2023 as an Administrative Assistant. His role as an Admin Assistant helps to provide crucial administrative support for our day-to-day operations. Sereign Fallou holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Lovely Professional University in  India. 

Fallou previously worked for The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, The Gambia Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment and FirstBank Gambia Limited before joining AREF. Fallou has also participated in Community Development with PAHAL NGO, one of the leading NGO’s in India and the largest functional NGO in Punjab, an organisation which focus on Health, Education, Environment and Communication. 

Edrisa recently joined AREF in December 2022 to help us provide financial management and day-to-day operational control of our finances. He is a qualified chartered accountant and has experience working with Trust Bank Gambia Limited, then moved on to the public sector to work with parastatals in various capacities before joining us.

In his spare time he learns new skills and enjoys watching tv. 

Lamin is a graduate from the University of The Gambia with a BSc in Accountancy. He has worked at First bank after completion of his university degree where he was exposed to the banking sector. He then moved to Enterprise Life Assurance Company where his career as a finance person began and attended trainings in many financial disciplines including Money Laundering, Calculation of Insurance Accounts, and The Introduction of IFRS 17.

Lamin Joined AREF in December 2023 to assist in performing the routine processing of financial transactions to ensure that AREF Finance are maintained in an effective, up to date and accurate manner. He enjoys team work and always inquisitive to learn new things from other people.