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Machine Learning to Explore Linkages Between Maternal Health and Environmental Resources in Kenya
Research Location:
Southern Kenya
Conservation Partners:
Conservation Health Partners, Kenya
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Haipeng Chen, Dr. Carrie Dolan, Dr. Julius Odihambo, and Erica GarroutteProject Description
William & Mary students will join an multidisciplinary team researching how climate and ecological changes impact human health in Maasai communities in Kenya. Using data-driven decision intelligence tools, students will help develop strategies to improve healthcare access while supporting environmental conservation and community resilience.
William & Mary undergraduate students are invited to join an interdisciplinary research team focused on the intersection of environmental change and human health in Narok County, Kenya. As climate change accelerates shifts in weather patterns, ecosystem functions, and natural resource availability, communities that directly depend on the environment—such as the nomadic Maasai—face growing challenges in accessing healthcare, nutrition, and vaccination services. This project seeks to understand how climate, ecological changes, and biophysical factors are linked to human health outcomes in these vulnerable populations.
Students will work alongside faculty and global partners in Kenya, including Community Health Partners (CHPs), to collect and analyze cross-sectoral data (e.g., health metrics, climate data, land use, and resource availability). Using data-driven decision intelligence tools, the team will explore patterns and predictions that can inform how limited healthcare resources—like vaccines and nutrition programs—can be allocated more equitably and effectively. This research will also help identify strategies that balance community health needs with broader environmental conservation goals.