Global Health Institute

The award honors the legacy of Maeve Kennedy McKean (G/L’09), who dedicated her career to advancing health equity and human rights. McKean served as executive director of the Global Health Initiative (now the Global Health Institute) and associate director of the HIV Policy Lab at the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law. Earlier in her career, she served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Mozambique.

Running and Health Equity in Kenya

Under the mentorship of Emily Mendenhall, Ph.D., director of the Science, Technology, and International Affairs program, Pai will study health equity and access to running in Iten, Kenya, a town renowned for producing elite long-distance runners. Edna Bosire, a medical anthropologist and faculty member at the Aga Khan University in Nairobi, will also support Pai’s project.

Pai was inspired by the paradox of a country known for world-class athletes yet facing a rise in non-communicable diseases, which account for more than 50% of total hospital admissions and over 55% of hospital deaths in Kenya.

“I am fascinated by how something as universal as running can reveal deeper health inequities,” said Pai. “Through this research, I want to understand those inequities and contribute to a more inclusive view of global health.”

Maternal Health in Tanzania

Under the mentorship of Christina Marea, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Berkley School of Nursing, Wontumi will study group care models and holistic approaches to health care for mothers in Zanzibar, Tanzania.

“I hope to empower mothers to advocate for their health needs,” Wontumi said. “Collective healing can significantly improve health outcomes, especially in contexts where Western medical interventions may not always be the most suitable.”

Wontumi’s project will be conducted in collaboration with WAJAMAMA, a nonprofit foundation founded by Georgetown alumna Nasifa Jiddawi (NHS’14) that equips local health care workers to deliver comprehensive, community-based care.

Looking Ahead

Pai and Wontumi will continue developing their research during their junior year. In the summer of 2026, they will travel to Kenya and Tanzania, respectively, to conduct international fieldwork. Their projects will culminate in presentations at Georgetown’s annual Global Social Justice Summer Research Symposium, where they will share their findings with the broader university community.

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