Godfrey Kisigo received his Master of Science in Global Health in 2020 and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Epidemiology and Population Health at The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He also holds a medical degree from the Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences in Mwanza, Tanzania.

When I was a medical student in Tanzania, I volunteered to do research and found that I had a passion for it. After graduating, I completed my compulsory medical internship at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (K.C.M.C) and then volunteered as a research assistant at the hospital's research center (KCRI). Later, I became a research coordinator for a HIV study team, and it was during this time that I realized I wanted formal training in research. I chose Duke University because of my positive experiences interacting with students from various universities in the States and Europe who came to the center to do their research work. Duke's research program appealed to me because it involved extensive field work, which I was eager to be a part of. Additionally, I appreciated the close relationships that students had with their mentors at Duke and knew that I needed that kind of mentorship to succeed.

After enrolling at Duke, I collaborated with Professor Melissa Watt on a study aimed at understanding HIV stigmatizing attitudes among male partners in antenatal care settings. This project gave me the opportunity to apply everything I had learned in class. Another enriching experience that broadened my perspective on global health was being part of the Duke Geneva Policy Program, where I had the chance to witness the key players in global health in action. Interestingly, both experiences strengthened my resolve to return to Tanzania to conduct my work. I felt that my skills and expertise would be most valuable in Sub Saharan Africa. As a result, I decided to focus entirely on research and forego clinical work as a medic, believing that this was where I could make the most significant impact. Just prior to graduation, I was fortunate enough to secure a research position with Weill Cornell Medicine which collaborates a lot with Bugando Medical Centre and the National Institute for Medical Research in Tanzania. This led me back to Tanzania. 

I am currently pursuing a PhD in Epidemiology and Population Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Upon completing my studies, my goal is to become an independent investigator and epidemiologist based in Tanzania, focusing on chronic illnesses. I have had the privilege of working with teams from all over the world, and I am grateful that my time at Duke allowed me to interact with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. These experiences helped me develop valuable soft skills and cultural awareness that continue to be relevant in my work today.

One of the most important lessons I've learned is to approach every new experience with an open mind. In the field of global health, there are countless opportunities to pursue, so it's important to take advantage of all of them. Attend speaker events, learn as much as you can, and then refine your interests to identify what you really want to do. Once you have a better understanding of your goals, seek advice and guidance from others. Reach out to people who are already working in the field and ask for their insights and recommendations. With perseverance and a willingness to learn, you can achieve great things in global health.