London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Educational/professional background

I am a medical doctor, global health expert and an emerging global health researcher from Sierra Leone. Presently, I am a Ph.D. candidate at LSHTM and based at the MRC Unit in the Gambia. My current research project focuses on evaluating the use of a novel digital diagnostic tool in the management of febrile illnesses for children in Sub-Saharan Africa. I previously conducted multidisciplinary research on health systems strengthening, Stroke in Sierra Leone and implementation science research on advanced HIV in young people.

I earned my medical degree from Venezuela and an MSc in International Public Health from the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT) in the Netherlands.  Over the past five years, my work has encompassed clinical, medical education and research activities. I have acquired natural communication skills and a solid clinical acumen around infectious diseases as a clinician. As a teacher, I have honed my skills in delivering teaching while reflecting and developing a pedagogical style as a lecturer in the medical school in Sierra Leone. As a clinical researcher, I worked with King’s College London as a clinical study assistant, data coder and, recently, a clinical research fellow for the Stroke in Sierra Leone research study, funded by the National Institute of Health Research.

Research interests or career goals 

To become an independent researcher and health systems expert conducting multi-disciplinary research, developing and testing community-based interventions to address challenges faced by local health systems and families. 

Why I chose LSHTM/my programme

The groundbreaking achievements over the years in the field of public health and diagnostic medicine have been commendable and the opportunity to study alongside renowned academics and scientists at the LSHTM and MRC unit in The Gambia is in line with my passion to address and develop effective evidenced-based diagnostic methods and policies.

I am happy to provide advice on studying full-time and on topics including health systems, Subsaharan Africa and digital diagnostics.