The 2nd edition: a celebration of maternal and child health heroes

Young Researcher: Helen Skirrow (United Kingdom)

Led on co-produced research with deprived ethnic minority communities in London to address inequalities in maternal and childhood vaccination, including barriers affecting Muslim mothers. Helen has also led on national data analyses linking maternal pertussis and childhood MMR uptake. Research findings have been cited in UK guidance and she has given parliamentary evidence on vaccine uptake.

Asia/Middle East: Ayat Al-Saqqa (Palestine)

Ayat is a humanitarian practitioner who protects displaced women and girls in Gaza by rebuilding sexual and reproductive health services, reopening destroyed laboratory facilities and establishing medical care points in fragile settings. Her participatory, community-driven approach restores diagnostics, dignity and safe spaces for those enduring displacement and infrastructure collapse.

Europe: África Holguín (Spain)

África strengthens paediatric HIV detection and treatment across Europe, Latin America, and Africa, confronting resistance, diagnostic delays and failures and the inequities created by viral diversity. Her ultra-sensitive assays and international cohort research ensure children are not missed, misdiagnosed or left behind because of where they are born.

Oceania: Pauline Masta (Papua New Guinea)

Pauline leads maternal tuberculosis screening within maternity services to detect TB in pregnancy and protect newborns and households at the earliest point of risk. As an obstetrician–gynaecologist and national Maternal TB Focal Person, she combines clinical care, teaching, and advocacy to strengthen family-centred prevention in Papua New Guinea.

Central and South America: Cecilia Bernardoni (Venezuela)

Cecilia has dedicated her life to paediatric HIV care and the prevention of vertical transmission in Venezuela. For decades, her organisation has ensured continuity of ART, strengthened treatment navigation, and protected children affected by medicine shortages, economic instability and health system collapse. Her approach combines clinical expertise with community education, nutritional support, and family-centred care.

Africa: Namakau Mundia (Zambia)

Namakau advances HIV and sexual and reproductive health for adolescent girls and young women as a midwife nurse and founder of Resilient Hearts Foundation. Grounded in her lived experience, she translates resilience into psychosocial care, building confidence, restoring hope, and creating safe spaces where young people can heal, learn and rise beyond stigma and inequality.

North America: Vincent Guilamo-Ramos (USA)

Vincent addresses the prevention of HIV/AIDS and STIs while improving care outcomes for youth and families in resource-constrained settings. His work focuses on developing and translating family-based interventions to promote health among Latinos and other underserved communities.