Global Health Institute

In addition to working with faculty on research projects, student fellows participate in global health-related events and network with one another and scholars in the global health field. Past fellows have pursued projects in areas ranging from mental health interventions in developing countries to artificial intelligence in health, infectious disease surveillance, and the intersections between faith and global health.

A Unique Global Health Scholar Experience

Imagine reading countless health statutes in search of guidelines on reporting infectious diseases, only to uncover them hidden within regulations about ice cream, abattoirs, and even orphanages. This discovery added a layer of unexpected complexity to Bryce Robinson’s (L’24) research as a spring 2024 fellow working with his faculty mentor Colin Carlson, then an assistant research professor with the Center for Global Health Science and Security and Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Georgetown University Medical Center. Their research project focused on laws around the world that require individual cases of specific diseases to be reported.

Through his time as a student fellow Robinson was able to revive his scientific literacy, develop important relationships, and stay abreast of developments in various corners of global health science and security. The project reinforced his commitment to building bridges between the legal and scientific communities.

“As health lawyers, it is critical that we maintain strong relationships and open lines of communication with the scientific community. Our work must always be grounded in medical and epidemiological evidence, so we need to rely on others—and be able to speak their language.”

Enhancing Faculty Research and Impact Through Student Involvement

Janeeta Shaukat (H’24) had a similarly rewarding experience during her fellowship. Drawing on her passion for raising awareness around mental health, as a fall 2023 student fellow she worked with Professor Shabab Wahid, an assistant professor at the School of Health’s Department of Global Health, to launch the Global Mental Health and Well-Being Initiative at the School of Health. As a part of her work, she played a significant role in a semester-long student-focused art campaign with the theme "From ill-being to well-being and the liminal states in between" that sought to create awareness around mental health and well-being, spark conversation, and shatter stigma.

Wahid welcomed the opportunity to mentor Shaukat under this newly launched initiative.​

“Janeeta worked tirelessly to support the initiative and was instrumental in its success. Through this fellowship, she demonstrated what it means to put into practice the core institutional values of Georgetown University.”

Following her time as a fellow, Shaukat continued to work with Wahid and will be published as a co-author of a forthcoming scientific journal article on conducting empirical qualitative data analysis examining climate change-induced ecological grief in rural drought-affected Kenya, a part of the Ecological Grief in Kenya project.

Shaping Future Careers

Georgetown University students have achieved significant professional accomplishments during and after their participation in the Global Health Student Fellows program.

Following graduation, Robinson is leaving his commercial intellectual property litigation practice to take up a legal counsel role in a public interest organization. His work will focus on ensuring that patent rights do not prevent patients from accessing safe, quality, affordable medicines.

In 2020, Mackenzie Moore (G’20) collaborated with Dr. Rebecca Katz at the Georgetown University Center for Global Health Science and Security (CGHSS) to develop the Georgetown Outbreak Activity Library (GOAL), an online tool detailing outbreak response activities and actors. Following that formative experience, Moore has gone on to pursue a Ph.D. in global health security and now works as a junior scientist at CGHSS, leading the center’s Pacific Region Health Security efforts. She also recently co-authored The Outbreak Atlas (2024) with Katz, a book that translates the complex material from GOAL into an accessible format for the public.

These accomplishments showcase the incredible impact of our fellows, both within and beyond the program. Their work not only advances global health but also demonstrates the profound influence of dedicated research and collaboration.

A Renewed Commitment to Student Success

During the first seven years of the program, the institute recruited a new cohort of 10 to 15 student fellows each fall and spring semester.

In fall 2024, the GHSF Program will relaunch with a new expanded year-long model running from August through May, allowing a cohort of 25 students to spend 25 weeks of paid supervised work with faculty mentors. This extended engagement will allow students to delve deeper into their topics, conduct thorough literature reviews, engage in extensive data collection and analysis, and develop more comprehensive and impactful findings.

As the managing director of the Institute, Dr. Oliver Johnson is excited to expand the GHSF program, preparing more students across the university to become future global health leaders.

"Participating in the program allows students to refine their research skills, build stronger relationships with mentors and each other, and potentially publish their work. What is so unique about this program is that every Georgetown student, regardless of school or major, is eligible to apply, reflecting the breadth of expertise required to tackle real-world global health challenges."