Department Of Human Anatomy Hosts 2017 Ubongo Brain

Awareness Event

The Ubongo Brain Awareness Campaign is the Kenyan chapter of the International Brain

Awareness Campaign based at the University of Nairobi. Each year, members of the Ubongo

Brain Awareness Campaign under the guidance of Dr Mwachaka (Human Anatomy) and Prof.

Nilesh Patel (Medical Physiology), organize brain awareness events in Kenya. This years event

was held at the Department of Human Anatomy and Medical Physiology on 18th March 2017.

About eighty high school students from nearby schools attended. The aim of the event was to

acquaint high school students with contemporary aspects in neuroscience including effects of

drug and substance abuse on the brain, neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and careers in

neuroscience. The event also aimed at building a continuing mentorship program for the high

school students in the neurosciences and its related fields.

The Principal College of Health Sciences, Prof. Isaac Kibwage was the chief guest. He gave a

talk on keeping the brain healthy. He further encouraged the students to consider a future in

neuroscience. Other speakers included Dr Peter Kitunguu (neurosurgeon) who talked about

careers in neuroscience and Dr Chitayi Murabula (Psychiatrist) who explained to the students the

effects of drug and substance abuse on the brain. The students were also introduced to basic

neuroanatomy and neurophysiology through demonstrations carried out by intercalated BSc.

Human Anatomy and BSc. Medical Physiology students.