Evelyn Gitau

Dr. Evelyn Gitau is the Chief Scientific Officer at the Science for Africa Foundation (SFA), where she provides strategic leadership for the organisation’s science and innovation portfolio. A biomedical scientist with more than 20 years of experience, she brings deep expertise in clinical and population research, implementation science, and research-ecosystem strengthening across Africa.

Dr. Gitau previously served as Director of Programmes  at the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), and as Programme Manager for Grand Challenges Africa at the African Academy of Sciences. Earlier, she led Clinical Proteomics at the KEMRI–Wellcome Trust Research Programme in Kenya and held research appointments at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

Her leadership has advanced major initiatives such as the African Population Cohorts Consortium (APCC) and DELTAS Africa, mobilising more than USD 20 million in research funding to strengthen clinical-research capacity and equitable partnerships.

She serves on several international advisory bodies, including Médecins Sans Frontières’ Transformational Investment Capacity Selection Committee and the Crick Africa Research Network.

Dr. Gitau is committed to building African-led, ethical, and sustainable clinical-research ecosystems that generate evidence for health equity and innovation across the continent.