Sam started his research career in 1994 at the Wellcome Trust Labs in Nairobi doing malaria pharmacology studies and subsequently moved to Kilifi to study immunity to malaria as part of his PhD. In 2004, Sam was awarded a Wellcome Trust training fellowship. During the fellowship Sam also developed interest for capacity building for research and eventually in 2008 took up a post as the Head of Training and Capacity Building at the Programme. Sam’s roles include administering training activities and developing strategies for capacity building at the Programme and within the East African region as head of training at the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme in Kenya since 2008, Dr Samson Kinyanjui has overseen rapid growth in support for young African scientists. His vision extends further, though, as he hopes to help establish research networks to encourage scientists across Africa and build the continent’s future research capacity.