For over 15 years, Paul Macharia, PhD has collaborated with leading institutions in Kenya—including Kenyatta National Hospital, the University of Nairobi, the Ministry of Health, and the University of Washington—to design digital health solutions that enhance healthcare quality and accessibility in resource-limited settings. His PhD research explored how human-centered design principles could improve the adoption of adolescent-focused digital interventions, specifically targeting culturally relevant reproductive health information for 15- to 18-year-olds. During his postdoctoral work, Dr. Macharia investigated how privacy and confidentiality shape user experience, creating web-based platforms that foster safe spaces for adolescent discussions around HIV, reproductive, mental and nutritional health.

Currently, as Principal Investigator of an AI-driven healthcare project—potentially the first of its kind in Africa—He’s focusing is on bridging the knowledge gap among healthcare providers. By leveraging large language models (LLMs), the initiative aims to delivers real-time, accessible insights on adolescent health, ensuring medical professionals have the necessary tools for informed decision-making. He’s also a Principal Investigator in a proof-of-concept study on the potential utility, usability and user experience of an AI-based chatbot to improve mental wellness among adolescents and your people. Dr. Macharia’s long-term vision is to establish himself as an independent global health researcher, specializing in AI-driven digital health interventions that improve healthcare access and equity in resource-limited settings. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and scalable innovation, He aims to transform healthcare through digital health interventions.