Brenda Adhiambo Odero University of KwaZulu-Natal; Strathmore UniversityKenya

Brenda Adhiambo Odero is an innovative, curious, and critical thinker with over five years of experience supporting research, specialising in research ethics, AI, and health research. Her expertise in research ethics and contemporary bioethics is rapidly growing, and I am enthusiastic about accelerating healthcare through innovative technologies and public health preparedness. She is a dedicated bioethics professional with a Master of Social Science in Health Research Ethics from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where she developed her thesis on the readiness of the ethics review process for digital autonomy. Her passion for research ethics, AI, health research and contemporary bioethics has positioned her as an emerging scholar in the field, where she has driven significant advancements in ethical compliance and digital innovation through research. Brenda works at Strathmore University's Institutional Scientific and Ethics Review Committee (SU-ISERC), where she serves as an Associate Manager for the institution under the committee. She has also won prestigious awards, including the best poster prize at the 2024 Oxford Global Health and Bioethics International Conference and first place in a global open call for ideas on improving health research awareness in Africa by the REDSSA Stakeholder Engagement Group from Stellenbosch University. In addition to her leadership role, Brenda has been an active peer reviewer for the African Journal of Bioethics since 2023 and has contributed to curriculum development and training in research ethics as a trainer of Bioethics. Her interest in complementary bioethics is evident through her participation in key conferences and panels, including presentations at the World Congress of Bioethics and the Global Forum on Bioethics Research. Brenda continues to explore the intersection of ethics, AI, and healthcare, striving to enhance ethical standards in digital health research.