Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology renowned researcher and the Coordinator of Strategic Planning and Institutional Planning- Dr. Rose Opiyo, has been selected as one of the recipients of the highly coveted ‘2025 International Society for the Study of Behavioral Development (ISSBD) 2×2 Grant for Early Career Scholars (ECS).’ This prestigious recognition highlights her exceptional contributions to the field of child and adolescent development, positioning her among emerging scholars on the global stage. The 2025 awardees exemplify the vision of engaging in innovative research that contributes to the field of developmental science while strengthening global academic partnerships particularly in underrepresented or majority-world contexts.
The ISSBD 2×2 Grant is a unique initiative that pairs two early career scholars from different countries or regions, ideally across the continents. This cross-regional collaboration promotes a synergistic approach to research by combining complementary research and methodological skills to address key challenges in developmental science. The grant aims to amplify voices from regions that have been overlooked in global academic conversations, supporting research that has the potential to shape policies and interventions for vulnerable populations globally.
Dr. Opiyo’s research at MMUST continues to gain wide acclaim for its interdisciplinary approach, to address child care issues in local communities. Her recent projects have involved collaborations with local communities to explore how indigenous nurturing systems impact social development of children and teens. Following her award, she will be working with fellow awardee Dr. Emily B. Reilly, from Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States USA under the mentorship of Prof. Kenneth A. Dodge, on a project dubbed ‘Pathways to Educational Attainment and Mental Health in Teen Parents.’
“Being selected for the ISSBD 2×2 Grant is an incredible honor, and I am looking forward to working with other awardees to expand the knowledge of developmental science,” said Dr. Opiyo, acknowledging that this grant will not only provide resources for impactful research but will also highlight the importance of fostering global academic partnerships. “I applaud ISSBD for inspiring future generations of researchers that will contribute to positive change in communities around the world,” added Dr. Opiyo.
Courtesy of this project, Dr. Opiyo will be able to join the network of African scholars and experienced meta-analysis practitioners globally. The project will promote technical capacity, lead to skills transfer and a multiplicative effect within academic departments and University at large. Under expert guidance of Prof. Dodge, these immersive experiences will enhance Dr Opiyos’ meta-analysis capabilities in handling complex longitudinal datasets in development science.
Through the award of such grants, ISSBD is committed to promoting inclusivity, diversity, and the advancement of developmental research that goes beyond the borders. By supporting such collaborations between scholars from different parts of the world, the 2×2 Grant is designed to enhance global academic partnerships and elevate the voices of underrepresented communities. Dr. Opiyo’s award is expected to raise the profile of MMUST’s research contributions. We congratulate her for winning this award and for placing the University on the global map once again!
Read more about the 2025 Awardees: https://issbd.org/issbd-2-x-2-grant-for-early-career-scholars-2025-awardees/
By Linet Owuor
