My clinical and research interests focus on neonatal health and early childhood outcomes and interventions, particularly newborn brain health amongst term and preterm infants. I lead studies that aim to improve our understanding of risk factors and early outcomes related to newborn conditions in Uganda as well as early identification and intervention for children with developmental disabilities as a result of events around the time of birth.

I am the founder and lead for the Baby Ubuntu programme, a participatory group programme that aims to promote participation and inclusion for children with developmental disabilities and their families, working in close partnership with expert parents to develop strategies to promote caregiver skills and agency. I work closely with the International Centre for Evidence in Disability on evaluations of child disability interventions and provide technical expertise to the World Health Organization on early care and support for children 0-3 years with developmental disabilities. In addition, I am a member of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation consortium on newborn neuroprotection strategies developing innovative neuroprotective strategies for use in low income country settings.

In collaboration with Prof Joy Lawn and the MARCH centre, I lead aspects of the OMWaNA trial, examining causal pathways of impact of early Kangaroo Mother Care prior on mortality and morbidity outcomes amongst small vulnerable newborns, and have previously contributed to the global landscaping of Group B Streptococcal infection amongst women and newborns and a process and impact analysis of the Saving Brains portfolio of Early Child Development interventions.