London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Tell us about you and your connection to LSHTM

I first joined the LSHTM community in 2019 through the Professional Diploma in Tropical Nursing, before returning in 2020 to study the MSc in Public Health for Global Practice. Those experiences shaped not only my career but also the way I understand public health as both a profession and a set of values. I currently work at the UK Health Security Agency as a Programme Manager and Workforce Lead, supporting clinical and public health training and workforce development within the Health Equity and Clinical Governance Directorate. Before this, I worked at the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team, a partnership between UKHSA and LSHTM, where I managed projects across research, capacity strengthening and outbreak response in Official Development Assistance-eligible countries.

My professional journey has taken me from a clinical nursing background in infectious diseases and haematology within the NHS, to increasingly strategic Global Public Health roles focused on capability building, leadership, preparedness and resilience. 

How are you feeling about the run? Have you done anything like this before?

Honestly, I feel both excited and nervous. This will be my first ever half marathon, so there is naturally an element of uncertainty, especially because I am not an experienced outdoor runner. Although I have always been physically active and enjoy keeping fit, outdoor running was something I had not really embraced before.

In a way, that is exactly why this experience has been so meaningful. The event has given me a reason to step into something unfamiliar, build confidence gradually and discover a new relationship with running. I have genuinely enjoyed seeing that progress unfold. I am also especially excited because the run takes place in London, a city I love deeply. 

You will be joined by nine other LSHTM runners, including fellow alumni and current students, plus the LSHTM cheering team at Embankment. What does it mean to be a part of the LSHTM community?

To me, it means being part of something much bigger than any one course, role or institution. It is a community built around shared values: curiosity, service, equity, evidence, and a genuine commitment to improve health worldwide. What makes it especially powerful is the diversity of people within it. LSHTM brings together individuals from across the world, with different lived experiences, cultures, disciplines and perspectives, yet united by a common purpose.

That diversity is not incidental; it is one of the School’s greatest strengths. Public health is most effective when it listens to and learns from different contexts, and LSHTM embodies that.

You are running in support of the LSHTM Scholarship Fund, and you have received some great support from friends, family, and your UKHSA colleagues. When there are so many competing causes to run for, why are scholarships so important to you?

I have benefited from scholarship support myself, and I know first-hand how powerful it can be when financial barriers are reduced and someone is given the opportunity to develop their potential.

In a global public health context, scholarships matter because talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. Far too many capable, committed individuals are prevented from accessing postgraduate education because of cost, particularly those from low- and middle-income countries. That is not only unfair to the individual; it is also a loss to the wider public health community. We need greater representation, greater inclusion, and stronger pathways for people from diverse contexts to shape the future of public health.

Supporting scholarships helps move us closer to health equity. It means investing in future leaders, researchers, programme managers, clinicians and practitioners who can bring their knowledge back into their own communities, institutions and health systems. In that sense, scholarships are not simply educational support; they are an investment in stronger, fairer, more representative public health leadership worldwide.

Taking part in an event like this is a great way to raise funds for a cause you’re passionate about. What message would you give to anyone considering taking on one of our community challenges?

Not everyone can make a large personal donation, but many people can still create impact by using their time, energy and networks in a way that brings others into the story. That is one of the things I have appreciated most about this experience. It creates a sense of shared purpose. Friends, family, colleagues and wider communities can all become part of something positive and hopeful.

There is also something genuinely rewarding about linking a personal challenge to a wider cause. It gives the effort deeper meaning. In the case of scholarships, even a relatively small contribution can help support the development of a talented individual whose work may ultimately strengthen health systems, improve services, influence policy, or support better preparedness and response in their own setting. That is a very powerful idea. I would encourage anyone considering a challenge like this not to underestimate the ripple effect of participation. You may be raising funds, but you are also raising awareness, building community, and helping keep health equity on the agenda. That matters.

What makes working in public health worth it? 

For me, working in public health is worth it because it connects purpose with people. At its core, public health is about improving and protecting lives, often at scale, and doing so in ways that centre equity, prevention and long-term wellbeing.

Personally, I also value the fact that public health aligns closely with how I try to live. The values I hold in my work, prevention, wellbeing, equity, compassion, evidence and inclusion, also shape my personal life. Whether that is staying physically active or supporting my mental wellbeing, I see public health not only as a career, but as a way of thinking and living. Public health works best when it is inclusive, when it listens, and when it puts people at the centre.

Give now - Show your support for scholarships, Vincenzo and for Team LSHTM

Inspired by Vincenzo? Register your interest in taking on a community fundraising challenge