Global Health Student Fellows Present Research at End-of-Year Showcase
At the close of the academic year, Global Health Student Fellows gathered to present research on some of the world’s most pressing health issues, with projects focused on subjects that included primary health care in Nigeria, mental health interventions in Senegal and science communication in global health. The poster showcase marked the culmination of a yearlong fellowship centered on interdisciplinary collaboration and real-world impact.
In her remarks, Nalini Anand, J.D., MPH, managing director of the Global Health Institute, talked about the diversity of the fellows’ backgrounds and research focuses, which ranged from infectious diseases and health systems to artificial intelligence and mental health.
“This year’s cohort reflects what makes Georgetown so unique and is a recognition that addressing today’s complex challenges demands collaboration across disciplines and often sectors,” she said.
A review committee composed of Sharon Kibwana, Ph.D., MPH, an assistant professor and program director at the Center for Global Health Practice and Impact; John Quattrochi, D.Sc., program director for the Master of Science in Global Health; and Steve Singer, Ph.D., director of the undergraduate major in biology of global health, recognized several fellows for their work.
Celebrating Standout Projects
Anees Baig (G’26), a graduate student in the Master of Science in Global Health program at the School of Health, received the award for Best Final Presentation for conducting a state-level analysis of primary health care in Nigeria. Mentored by Ibrahim Bola Gobir, MBBS, an assistant professor of medicine at Georgetown University Medical Center, Baig assessed service delivery capacity in maternal health, immunization, labor and delivery, and noncommunicable diseases at 20,216 operational facilities across the country’s 36 states.
“Receiving this recognition is incredibly meaningful because it reflects a year of learning, mentorship, and growth through work that connected global health research with real-world health systems challenges,” Baig said.
Runners-up included Leo Shih (H’26), an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in global health at the School of Health; Arnaz Reza (G’26), a graduate student in the Master of Science in Biotechnology at the School of Medicine; and Avery Simon (SFS’28), an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in science, technology, and international affairs at the School of Foreign Service.
Shih, who worked with Katherine Robsky, Ph.D., MPH, assistant professor in the School of Medicine, presented evaluations of the World Health Organization Harmonized Health Facility Assessment application in the Marshall Islands.
“The fellowship allowed me to get hands-on with data visualization and develop an understanding of the difficulties of collecting, managing, and interpreting real-world health data in the unique context of the Pacific Islands,” Shih said.
Reza, under the mentorship of Ellen Moscoe, D.Sc., director of experiential learning and assistant professor in the Department of Global Health, worked on a cost analysis of the Relief from Stress via Social Protection in Senegal (RESTORE) study, a community-based mental health intervention in Senegal.
“Mental health remains critically underfunded in low-resource settings, yet the need is immense,” Reza said. “RESTORE showed that a community-delivered intervention like Self-Help Plus can be scaled in Senegal at a fraction of the pilot cost, making the case that effective mental health care doesn’t have to be out of reach.”
Simon, mentored by Emily Mendenhall, Ph.D., director of the Science, Technology, and International Affairs program at the School of Foreign Service, focused on science communication and accessible writing for the new online publication Science Politics.
“By making complex research and policy issues more engaging to the public, this work aimed to contribute to a more informed, aware, and engaged future,” Simon said.
Applications Opening for the Next Cohort
Applications for the 2026-2027 cohort open later this summer. Full-time Georgetown undergraduate and graduate students interested in global health are encouraged to apply. Faculty interested in partnering with the program can learn more by visiting the program website.