[3][4] Specializing in neuro-oncology and skull-base surgery, Karekezi served as the chairperson of the African Women in Neurosurgery (AWIN), Committee of the Continental Association of African Neurosurgical Societies (CAANS) from 2019 to 2023, and was elected as a member of the national council of the Rwanda Medical and Dental Council (RMDC) and the Secretary of the Bureau for 2022–2026.

[6] Karekezi grew up in Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda, where she and her two older siblings received their early education.

In 2007, Karekezi participated in an International Federation of Medical Student's Associations (IFMSA) professional exchange at the Linköping Teaching Hospital in Sweden.

There, she met Professor Jan Hillman, who had a significant impact on her decision to pursue a career in neurosurgery.

In February 2009, following a brief stay in Sweden, Karekezi completed an elective program at the Department of Neurosurgery, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University.

Both training experiences sparked her interest in Neurosurgery and granted her the confidence to pursue a career in the field.

In 2011, she was accepted into the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) Reference center in Rabat for the training of African neurosurgeons.

After completing her residency in Morocco Karekezi pursued additional training with a focus on neuro oncology.

[10] From 2017 to 2018, she completed a one-year clinical fellowship in neuro oncology and Skull Base Surgery [11] at Toronto Western Hospital.

After completing her fellowship in Toronto in August 2018, Karekezi returned to Rwanda as the country's first female neurosurgeon.

[3] In her December 2018 TEDxEuston talk,[12] Karekezi painted a clearer picture of the general lack of access to surgery in Africa and the role she plays in training more future neurosurgeons to address this deficit.

[16] She continues to raise awareness about the need for more experienced female neurosurgeons in order to assist other young women in overcoming various obstacles inherent to the field.

[17] She is also an advocate and inspiration for other young women who wish to pursue STEM fields (science, engineering, technology, and mathematics).

These societies include, The American Association of Neurological surgeons (AANS), Congress of neurological Surgeons (CNS), The AANS/CNS section on tumors, World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies-Women In Neurosurgery (WFNS-WIN) Committee, Women in Neurosurgery (WINS/USA), African Women in Neurosurgery (AWIN), The College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA), The Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO), The North American Skull Base Society (NASBS), Women in Surgery AFRICA (WiSA), The African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), The Society for Neuro-Oncology/SSA (SNOSSA), The Rwanda Medical Association (RMA), Rwanda Surgical Society (RSS), and Rwanda Association of Neurological Surgeons (RANS).

Almeida JP, Marigil-Sanchez M, Karekezi C, Witterick I, Gentili F. Different Approaches in Skull Base Surgery Carry Risks for Different Types of Complications.

Barthélemy EJ, Diouf SA, Silva ACV, Abu-Bonsrah N, de Souza IAS, Kanmounye US, Gabriel P, Sarpong K, Nduom EK, Lartigue JW, Esene I, Karekezi C. Historical determinants of neurosurgical inequities in Africa and the African diaspora: A review and analysis of coloniality.

Dada OE, Karekezi C, Mbangtang CB, Chellunga ES, Mbaye T, Konan L, Adeniran Bankole ND, Merci Kabulo KD, Hugues Dokponou YC, Ghomsi NC, Negida A, Nguembu S, Thango N, Cheserem B, Kamabu LK, Alalade AF, Esene I, Kanmounye US.

Karekezi C, Thango N, Aliu-Ibrahim SA, Bechri H, You Broalet EM, Bougrine M, Cheserem JB, Mbaye M, Shabhay ZA, Tighilt N, Bakhti S, El Abbadi N. History of African women in neurosurgery.

Karekezi C, El Khamlichi A, El Ouahabi A, El Abbadi N, Ahokpossi SA, Ahanogbe KMH, Berete I, Bouya SM, Coulibaly O, Dao I, Djoubairou BO, Doleagbenou AAK, Egu KP, Ekouele Mbaki HB, Kinata-Bambino SB, Habibou LM, Mousse AN, Ngamasata T, Ntalaja J, Onen J, Quenum K, Seylan D, Sogoba Y, Servadei F, Germano IM.

Marigil Sanchez M, Karekezi C, Almeida JP, Kalyvas A, Castro V, Velasquez C, Gentili F. Management of Giant Pituitary Adenomas: Role and Outcome of the Endoscopic Endonasal Surgical Approach.

Karekezi C, El Khamlichi A. Takeoff of African Neurosurgery and the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies Rabat Training Center Alumni.