Tochukwu “Dubem” Anyaduba and Uchechukwu “Uche” Anyaduba, a married couple from Nigeria, have a common goal: to create and deliver affordable healthcare to Nigeria. Both Dubem and Uche have successful careers in life sciences. Dubem, who has a background in Microbiology and Biotechnology, worked as a field engineer, traveling across Nigeria to install diagnostic equipment for doctors. Uche received her bachelor’s degree in Nigeria in Geological Sciences. Despite their different academic backgrounds, they both actively work to improve healthcare systems in Nigeria and reduce inequalities in access to care. Dubem shares, “I’ve been to places where people cannot afford basic healthcare interventions…organizations would come to community health centers and equip them with different instruments, but the instruments would keep breaking because people didn’t have the training or resources to use them properly.”

Uche joined Dubem at KGI in 2019. She was able to adapt quickly despite facing challenges due to language barriers, cultural differences, and a lack of background in life sciences. During her time at KGI, she completed a successful internship at 54Gene, a health technology platform founded by a KGI alumnus. Uche and Dubem created a scholarship fund in 2023 to give back to the KGI community. The couple made a five-year pledge of $25,000 to support international students of African descent. Both Uche and Dubem were awarded with scholarships throughout their academic journeys, and they feel it is important to give back. Through their support, they hope to see a ripple effect of KGI students enhancing healthcare and applied science industries.