The Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre (BioRTC), Yobe State University, is pleased to announce that its Director, Prof. Mahmoud Bukar Maina, has been awarded the 2026 Vivensa Academy Rising Star Excellence Award, an international recognition supporting outstanding early- to mid-career researchers working to improve ageing and dementia research globally.

The Vivensa Foundation, based in the United Kingdom, is a leading organisation dedicated to advancing research, innovation, and capacity building in ageing and dementia. Its Rising Star Excellence Award supports emerging research leaders with the potential to drive meaningful impact in both science and society.

Positioning Africa at the Centre of Global Dementia Research

Prof. Maina’s research focuses on understanding the biological mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease across diverse populations. A central challenge in the field is that most existing knowledge is derived from individuals of European ancestry, leaving major gaps in our understanding of how the disease develops in other populations.

Through his work at BioRTC and in collaboration with international partners, Prof. Maina has been addressing this gap by developing one of the first large-scale dementia research programmes in Northern Nigeria.

As part of his Wellcome Trust Career Development Award, he has established a growing cohort of over 1,200 older individuals, including both people living with dementia and healthy ageing populations. This work integrates clinical data with biological models to better understand how genetics, environment, and lifestyle shape disease risk and resilience.

Speaking on the broader significance of this work, Prof. Maina noted:

“There is a lot of diversity in the human population, and if we want to truly understand diseases like Alzheimer’s, we need to study them across different populations. This is not only about inclusion—it is about discovery.”

Extending Impact: From Africa to the UK

The Vivensa Academy Rising Star Excellence Award will enable Prof. Maina to extend this work into the United Kingdom, focusing on improving engagement with underrepresented communities in dementia research.

Despite the presence of diverse populations in the UK, many communities remain underrepresented in research and face barriers in accessing diagnosis and care. Through this award, Prof. Maina will develop a community-engaged research model in Brighton, working with local organisations to build trust, improve understanding of brain health, and create pathways into research participation.

A key component of this work will be the recruitment of a Community Engagement Officer, who will work closely with community groups to co-design approaches that reflect local needs and realities.

This approach draws directly on Prof. Maina’s experience in Africa, where conventional research models are often not applicable, requiring context-specific and community-driven strategies.

“In Africa, we have had to build research systems that work within real-world constraints. What I am now doing is applying those same principles—trust, co-design, and community engagement—in a different context.”

Building the Next Generation of Scientists

Beyond research, Prof. Maina is deeply committed to capacity building and mentorship, a core pillar of BioRTC’s mission.

Through the Vivensa award, he will support student placements and training opportunities, providing early-career researchers with exposure to dementia research and pathways into the field.

Reflecting on the importance of this work, he said:

“If we want to solve complex diseases like Alzheimer’s, we need scientists who understand different populations, different systems, and different realities. For me, it’s important to create opportunities for others to be part of that work.”

A Milestone for BioRTC and African Science

This award represents a significant milestone not only for Prof. Maina, but also for BioRTC and the broader African research ecosystem. It highlights the growing global recognition of research emerging from the continent and the importance of African-led contributions to solving global health challenges.

BioRTC continues to serve as a platform for world-class research, training, and innovation, addressing pressing health challenges through locally grounded and globally connected science.

Looking Ahead

Through this award, Prof. Maina aims to build a new model for dementia research—one that connects communities, healthcare systems, and biological research across populations.

This work is expected to:

• Improve engagement and participation in dementia research

• Enable the development of research cohorts in underrepresented populations

• Contribute to global understanding of Alzheimer’s disease

• Strengthen pathways for African researchers in neuroscience and ageing

About BioRTC

The Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre (BioRTC), based at Yobe State University, Nigeria, is a state-of-the-art research and capacity-building centre dedicated to addressing critical health challenges through scientific research, innovation, and training. Read more on www.biortc.com

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