London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Educational/professional background

I earned an Honours Specialization in Biology at the University of Western Ontario in London, Canada. Additionally, I participated in an academic exchange program at Bangor University in Bangor, Wales, UK, completing one semester of coursework. During my undergraduate studies, I worked two summers at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in a monoclonal and serological laboratory, and concurrently, I volunteered at the Guthrie Laboratory, a bioinformatics group at the University of Western Ontario.

I then pursued my MSc in One Health: Ecosystems, Humans and Animals at LSHTM and RVC. My summer research project, supervised by Dr David Conway and Dr David Heymann, focused on exploring malaria trends among Nigerian children under five through a One Health approach, analysing parasite prevalence, density, species, and developmental stages.

Following my MSc, I completed an epidemiological internship with the Pan American Center for Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Veterinary Public Health (PANAFTOSA/PAHO-WHO) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I am now working as an Analyst at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, contributing to outbreak response, diagnostics, and surveillance in animal health.

What I enjoyed most about studying my programme/at LSHTM

Studying within such a multicultural and globally diverse environment was one of the most impactful elements of the programme. Collaborating with peers and faculty from around the world expanded my understanding of how health challenges differ across regions, and taught me to work effectively in interdisciplinary and cross-cultural teams. This environment not only enriched classroom discussions but also prepared me to adapt quickly when I transitioned into an international public health role.

Most of all, the programme helped me learn how to embrace complexity. Whether through my malaria dissertation research or collaborative projects, I came to see uncertainty not as a barrier but as an opportunity for deeper inquiry. That mindset has continued to guide me in my career, giving me confidence to approach complex health problems with curiosity, flexibility, and resilience.

Read more about my experience

From Canada to the UK and Brazil: charting my path, one adventure at a time
From cholera dreams to malaria realities: My journey to finding the perfect summer project