Category: Notes from the Field

As of September, I’ve been setting up shop to undertake the work of my study, Adapting a nutrition intervention to address low fruits and vegetables intake, a cancer risk, among people living with HIV receiving care in HIV clinics in Uganda. I expected a very processed based, check-list type of start-up to the project similar […]

Greetings everyone! I write this update off the back of the SVRI (Sexual Violence Research Initiative) conference in Cape Town. This was a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and collaborators, old and new, and to meet fellow early career researchers. It served me a reminder of the importance of community. Last summer, during my […]

It has been over a month since my last post and although a lot of work on the “Early Childhood Development for Maternal Mental Health” study –now rechristened the “Maternal Mental Health and Early Childhood Development in Kawempe” study–there is little observable progress to share. I’m stuck in IRB limbo:  I am just a few […]

Before participating in the ACHIEVE program, I held the belief that rigorous research was synonymous with adhering strictly to established scientific protocols and methodologies. However, my visits to the Greater Masaka and the Bidibidi Refugee Settlement in Uganda profoundly reshaped my understanding of research practices. I gained insights through observation and was motivated by the […]

Neonates with gastrointestinal disorders often face substantial nutritional challenges. These may arise due to conditions such as congenital anomalies or postoperative complications that impair nutrient absorption or oral intake. This is what has inspired me to start my ACHIEVE study on the barriers to evaluating the nutritional status of neonates with gastrointestinal disorders in Kampala, […]

My ACHIEVE project, The Early Childhood Development for Maternal Mental Health study (ECD4MMH), will explore the potential for improving maternal mental health (MMH) during the critical “first 1,000 days” of child growth and development through a community-based early childhood development (ECD) program delivered by community workers in a peri-urban area of Kampala, Uganda. Many of […]

As explained in my earlier post, my research primarily uses internet data and advanced AI techniques to uncover the hidden concerns of teenagers and their caretakers—topics often too sensitive for open discussion. However, to truly understand the issue, I’ve found it crucial to meet those affected face-to-face. I recently visited the Nyagatare District in eastern […]

Never say never. This lesson has never been more relevant than it is this year. To fully grasp its significance, we need to journey back nearly a decade, to when I embarked on a career in medicine, with a focus on women’s health. During my formative years in medical school, what ignited a passion in […]

As I approach the end of my ACHIEVE training year, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey this has been. I am so grateful for the opportunities and connections this year has afforded me, which have been pivotal in building foundational research and leadership skills for me as a young investigator. Throughout my project, […]

As my ACHIEVE fellowship year grows to a close, I want to reflect on its highlights and lessons. My visits to Uganda, Ghana, the United States, and Puerto Rico have truly enriched the “global” aspect of my Global Health program. I look back with deep gratitude on the opportunities for learning, sharing my work, networking, […]

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now” states an ancient saying, which sadly resonates with the ongoing problem of adolescent pregnancy in Rwanda. Although national-level efforts have been made to address this challenge—and tangible progress has been made— the problem persists unabated, with nearly one in […]

It is with no doubt that I can say ACHIEVE is by far the best research training program I have engaged in. With a blend of local and international research exposure, the program has enabled me to appreciate how good research practices are applied within and outside my setting. It has given me hands-on experience […]

Embarking on a journey of academic enlightenment as an ACHIEVE visiting scholar at Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) has been a revelation—an attestation to the transformative power of exposure, mentorship, and experiential learning. Being a part of this prestigious training program has been the most exciting part of my career as a researcher. Having […]

Recognizing that “there is no gene for the human spirit,” fosters my goals for using implementation research to assist adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) to cope with and overcome the associated stigma. These strategies greatly improve the adolescents’ mental health by promoting resilience, hope, and determination that enable them to achieve greater heights. In Uganda, […]

Adolescents living with HIV are advised to get the HPV vaccine to lower their risk of HPV-related problems, such as cervical cancer. My research study is being conducted to investigate the uptake of HPV vaccination among HIV adolescent girls attending ART clinics, as there is limited data on HIV-positive adolescents. To understand HIV-positive young peoples’ […]

March is Women’s Month: including Women’s History Month, as observed in the US and internationally, and International Women’s Day on the 8th of March. It’s a time to celebrate the achievements of women and to continue advocating for more progress towards gender equality and inclusion. This year themes are befitting – “Invest in Women,” “Accelerate […]

Reflecting on my journey with the ACHIEVE Program, I am amazed by how much I have experienced and grown in such a short time. Beginning in July 2023, I embarked on transformative training in implementation and data science that broadened my horizons and expanded my skills in ways I had never imagined. A highlight of […]

The year 2023 will be remembered for its life changing experiences through the ACHIEVE training program. I vividly remember a panelist asking me how I plan to handle the graduate programs alongside teaching and administrative roles at my university. Admission into ACHIEVE program meant embracing the opportunities that came with it and making several personal […]

My deep admiration for extraordinary researchers in the medical field has fueled my passion for research. Through determination and collaboration with my colleagues, I acquired foundational research skills that empowered me to run my undergraduate research projects which then birthed my first publications. With that background, I was honored with joining the ACHIEVE Training Program. […]

I am convinced that the ACHIEVE program is a manifestation of what I asked for when my (former) life coach said to me at one of our sessions, “Say it out loud, plainly, and put it out to the Universe – What do you want in your career life?” This was about three years ago, […]

Jambo! Warm greetings from the sunny city of Nairobi, Kenya – green city in the sun. It has been exciting moving back to Kenya (my second home) and returning  to my alma mater, the University of Nairobi. Though I am returning as a US global health fellow, I have been able to seamlessly re-integrate and […]

Embarking on my research journey, I discovered a transformative experience through the ACHIEVE training program. ACHIEVE has not only enriched my academic knowledge but has also been instrumental in shaping my networking skills and enhancing my proficiency in public speaking. ACHIEVE has provided me with opportunities to connect with fellow researchers and professionals globally. As […]

Applying for ACHIEVE was a breakthrough, a lifeline that pulled me from the brink of despair. ACHIEVE showed me there were opportunities to turn my long-desired dream of becoming an independent researcher into reality. I resurrected my research ideas buried in books including my current project, “Assessing the Knowledge, Feasibility, and Acceptability of a Public […]

The ACHIEVE fellowship reminds me of one of my favorite quotes: “A sign of a good leader is not how many followers you have but how many leaders you create” (Mahatma Gandhi). As an emerging scholar from Africa, navigating the world of academia, research, and power dynamics can be challenging. Hence, I am deeply thankful […]

Greetings from Ghana! I have been in Northern Ghana for the last 1.5 years leading the Medicine and Pediatrics initiatives for AMPATH, a new academic partnership between New York University, Tamale Teaching Hospital and the University of Development Studies. In this role, I primarily partner with the leadership of both departments and together, identify opportunities […]