Borna Nyaoke-Anoke

Borna Nyaoke (born 1987) is a Kenyan physician and clinical researcher, who took over as head of mycetoma research in 2023 from her previous position as manager of clinical trials at Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative/Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (DNDi/GARDP). She previously worked as a clinical trial manager at the KAVI (Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative) Institute of Clinical Research, based in the University of Nairobi.

Nyaoke, a public health specialist; Dr. Roselyne Okello, a radiologist; Dr. Nida Okumu, an infectious diseases specialist; and Dr. Achieng Aling, an obstetrician and gynecologist, founded Hema Foundation, a Nairobi-based non-government organisation, in 2015. All four were classmates in medical school in Nairobi. Hema focuses on inner city girls aged 17 years and younger, screening for diseases, treating illnesses, encouraging schooling and STEM subject choices; as well as offering guidance, mentoring and counselling.

Early life and career Nyaoke attended Kenyan schools for her elementary and secondary education. She was admitted to the University of Nairobi, where she studied human medicine, graduating with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree. She graduated from the University of Liverpool with a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree, specializing in the management of health systems. She also attended the Global Clinical Scholars Research Training program at Harvard School of Medicine, specializing in the conduct of clinical trials.

Nyaoke argues that Kenyans used to live longer, before they started consuming highly processed foods and maintaining sedentary lifestyles. By extension, the increasing rates of non-communicable diseases in the community is related to the diet and physical activity and/or inactivity levels of that community.

Awards 2017: Named "Top 40 Women Under 40 in Kenya" by the Nation Media Group