Research Assistant for START and Provost PhD Fellowship

PhD in Global Health Metrics and Implementation Science 

Please tell us a little bit about yourself. 

I am originally from South Sudan and grew up in Nairobi, Kenya where I received my medical training. Spending the formative years of my life in East Africa, having the privilege of pursuing studies in the U.K., and now residing in the U.S. has shaped my worldview and approach to the practice of medicine and public health. I am passionate about children, women's empowerment, social justice, and health equity. These life experiences are what steer me towards global health practice and research in not only the Global South but also here in the U.S. where I am keen on working with medically underserved communities, immigrants and refugee populations.

During the past five years, I have also explored other personal interests outside of medicine such as women’s empowerment and engagement. I did this through co-founding initiatives such as South Sudanese Women In Medicine (SSWIM) in 2020 – an NGO that engages South Sudanese medical women to positively shape healthcare in South Sudan, and Women In STEM South Sudan (WiSTEM) in 2022 – a consortium of women in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), that seeks to inspire and empower South Sudanese women and girls to pursue STEM related careers.

My engagement in SSWIM and WiSTEM has broadened my expertise in organizational leadership, advocacy, program development and grant writing. Through these initiatives I have extended my sphere of influence to positively impact women and girls in South Sudan through the programs and projects I have developed. This has given me a sense of personal fulfillment and peace of mind knowing that I can still make a positive impact and difference no matter where I am in the world.

I am finding a home for my clinical, academic interests and passions beyond medicine in implementation science and the doctoral program at UW. During my doctoral studies, I look forward to enhancing my skills and knowledge in clinical quality improvement, adaptation and scale up of interventions, organizational change, and sustainability science, among others.

Why did you decide to attend the UW for graduate school?

My most recent experience in the NIH-Fogarty Global Health LAUNCH program this past year as a postdoctoral associate at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., introduced me to the field of implementation science. I coupled this interest by pursuing the University of Washington's online course on the fundamentals of implementation science which was very eye-opening. Further research into this field revealed to me that the UW is one of the few institutions worldwide with a Ph.D. program dedicated to implementation science. As I have continued to explore pediatric HIV research and implementation science, I have found myself drawn to the published works of award-winning and leading UW researchers in this field with longstanding and extensive portfolios of NIH grant funding.

My interest in the UW research and learning environment was also reinforced by participating in the Clinical Education Partnership Initiative (CEPI) rotation at the Naivasha Sub-County Hospital in 2016 during my postgraduate studies. This medical education exchange program enables the sharing of knowledge and experiences between residents of the University of Washington and University of Nairobi Departments of Family Medicine and Pediatrics and Child Health respectively. This experience exposed me to global health concepts and research as I interacted with UW residents and researchers and is a testament to the longstanding collaborations and partnerships between the UW and my alma mater – the University of Nairobi.

What are your research interests and career goals?

My research interests center on pediatric HIV and the use of implementation science methods to improve test acceptance and health outcomes through novel strategies and cutting-edge mobile and digital technology like the use of AI. I am also open to pivot towards exploring child-focused behavioral health and global mental health. Long-term, I want to be an established global health researcher spearheading multidisciplinary research that contributes towards health equity. I aspire towards a global and child health research-based career that will leverage the training, professional connections, and networks that I have built so far.

Did your award influence your decision to attend the UW?

My family members were very instrumental in encouraging me to take the next step in my career by pursuing doctoral studies. I secured funding for my studies which covers my tuition and stipend by working as a research assistant at the START center. This security of funding also heavily influenced my decision to join the UW. The additional Office of the Provost award, awarded to me as one of the top applicants, was the icing on the cake and reaffirmed that this was meant for me! 

When you aren't studying, where is your favorite place to hangout in Seattle?

Seattle has a very beautiful waterfront, and the fall season is especially beautiful. I like to take walks and enjoy the view, snapping a picture here and there!