From Kenya to USA: How IVVN Helped Shape Beatrice Muriuki’s Scientific Journey

At the International Veterinary Vaccinology Network (IVVN), we’re proud to support a global community of researchers working at the forefront of animal health. For Beatrice Muriuki, a postdoctoral scientist currently based in the United States, the IVVN community has played a pivotal role in shaping her research career - from her early days as a PhD student at WACCBIP-University of Ghana, to her current role as a postdoctoral researcher on a collaborative project between Northeastern University (Boston, USA) and Moderna Inc. (Cambridge, USA), focused on the non-clinical evaluation of drug compounds.

Beatrice first connected with IVVN in 2019, during the Africa Immunology of Parasites, Pathogens and Pathogenesis (AFRIBOP) workshop in Kenya. There, she met a fellow researcher and IVVN member, who introduced her to the network and sparked her interest in vaccinology. What followed was a series of opportunities that would set the course of her future.

In 2020, Beatrice applied for an IVVN Fellowship Grant alongside collaborators at International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).  Though the proposal was not funded, the experience proved invaluable. The connections she made during the application process became the foundation for future partnerships - and even led to her securing her current postdoctoral position in the US.

Through IVVN, I’ve built a strong network of experts in vaccine research who have offered guidance, collaboration, and support throughout my journey,” she said.

Earlier this year, IVVN supported Beatrice’s attendance at the World Vaccine Congress 2025 in Washington, DC. The opportunity allowed her to engage with leading scientists, join panel discussions, and learn from cutting-edge developments in vaccine research. She described the event as a milestone in her professional growth -not only for the knowledge gained, but for the powerful connections made.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of the congress was the networking opportunities it provided,” Beatrice shared. “I connected with researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders, and I plan to build on these relationships as I contribute to the future of vaccine science.”

Beatrice’s story is a powerful reminder of how meaningful connections - whether sparked at a workshop or through a grant application - can shape careers in unexpected ways. It also speaks to the broader value of networks like IVVN: creating space for early-career researchers to grow, be seen, and find opportunities beyond the lab. 

We are proud to have played a small role in Beatrice’s journey and look forward to seeing how she continues to make her mark in the global health landscape.

➡️ If you’re an IVVN member with a story to share, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch at ivvn [at] roslin [dot] ed [dot] ac [dot] uk.