Forging a Global Health Career Path at Duke

For graduates of DGHI’s Master of Science in Global Health program, the journey from student to professional can extend all over the world. But sometimes, it stays close to home. At least a dozen alumni of the MS-GH program are working in positions at Duke. For some, it’s an extension of the work they initiated during their student years, while others are venturing into new challenges.  

 We spoke with three recent MS-GH graduates who have transitioned to jobs at Duke about the unique experience of working for the university where they pursued their degrees. While they each have distinct paths and narratives, they share what it’s like to move from learning to labor, and how they are still finding ways to deepen their knowledge through their professional roles.  

Njeru, who completed her MS-GH in 2022, works as a research scholar with the Duke Division of Global Neurosurgery and Neurology (DGNN). Trained as a medical doctor at Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Kenya, she worked as a general practitioner in Kenya for 2 years before moving to the United States for her master’s degree. 

How was your transition to working with DGNN?

I began working with the department a week after graduating, a transition that was smooth for me. I enjoyed the work that I did with my research group as a master’s student, and this motivated me to stay behind and join the team. I was involved with them as a research assistant, where I worked on epilepsy capacity in Uganda. The continuity, familiarity and support from the team made the transition seamless, however with a lot more responsibilities. 

 What changes have you seen in DGHI from when you were a student?

The recent cultural day (a DGHI community celebration in fall 2023) has enabled us to understand our roots as members of a highly diverse school. This is something that we recommended as students, and it is interesting to see it materialize.  Also, the thermostat setting is significantly higher, and thus the building is not as cold as it was in previous winters. 

What is the greatest challenge of working for the same university where you studied?

Things can get into a repetitive routine, as most things are not new. Keeping the momentum and fire burning can be a challenge as I am still working on projects that we were handling with the team when I was a research assistant. I find my source of inspiration from my wonderful team and also keeping my eyes on the prize and the goals that I want to achieve. 

 Is there a project you are working on that you are especially proud of?

We are currently working to create an application in Uganda for adolescents with epilepsy. This is going to be a project for Ugandans by Ugandans, making it culturally relevant. This is a platform that is going to disseminate information and to try to fight the stigma associated with epilepsy. 

How have you taken advantage of opportunities for growth and professional development?

I am currently undertaking a short course on equity and diversity regarding health equity research. This is an opportunity offered to the staff members at the school. I am also looking at the opportunities in the innovation lab that could help me build my coding skills. In addition to this, I have made use of LinkedIn Learning and Coursera too when I need to learn a skill, and Duke offers a subscription for that. 

 What is a fun fact about you?

 I like casual reading and I enjoy the occasional hike. 

Tupetz, who completed her MS-GH in 2019, is an assistant professor in the Duke Department of Emergency Medicine, where she works with the Global Emergency Medicine Innovation and Implementation Research Center (GEMINI) and the Duke Emergency Medicine Division of Translational Health Sciences. She grew up in Germany and earned a degree in physical therapy in The Netherlands graduating in 2016. After finishing her MS-GH, she completed a doctorate in physical therapy.

How would you describe your experience in the MS-GH program?

Understanding the U.S. education system was something very new to me, and it took a bit of time to adjust. It was great to gain rigorous research skills during the two years and to receive valuable mentorship. The fieldwork was a good way to learn as I put all the skills I learned in class into application.

What was your path after earning your master’s degree?

My path here has included a one-year research assistantship immediately after my MS-GH graduation, while I was getting my doctorate in physical therapy, as well as getting my physical therapy license accredited here in the U.S. I then started as a postdoctoral fellow between 2020 and 2023 with the department of emergency medicine and started my clinical work as a physical therapist again. I have also spent the last year as a research global health fellow at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre in Tanzania, which is one of our partner sites.  

What motivated you to stay on campus?

I did not feel like I had finished my time in research yet after completing the master’s program. The degree had opened doors in a way that I could not imagine. I got the opportunity to get involved with GEMINI at a point when they had a grant they were starting with a large qualitative component. My involvement with the team gave me the chance to hone the skills that I had learned in qualitative research and introduce me to new areas of research, especially implementation science. The first position as a research assistant right after graduation also allowed me to stay involved in research while I completed my doctorate., 

What skills did you take away from the master’s program that have been  influential in your work?

Qualitative research skills have been key for me, in the role that I currently hold. Also, learning how to perform a systematic review has been invaluable I would say.. Knowing how to find, analyze and interpret available scientific information is an importantpart of my everyday role.  

What is a fun fact about you?

I love riding my bike, which is a way for me to decompress! I also like to go up to the mountains for some great hiking! 

Fawole earned an MS-GH in 2023 and now works as a research associate with the DGHI Cetner for Policy Impact in Global Health (CPIGH). He is a dentist, trained at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria. He worked as a clinician for 2 years before moving to the United States for his master’s degree. 

Why did you choose to pursue a degree in global health?

After finishing my internship and the mandatory one year that I had to serve in the (Nigerian) National Youth Service, I still knew that I had the desire to have more impact on a larger scale. I felt that global health, with the top-down approach, was the right place for me to fulfill my destiny.  

Tell us about your thesis research in the MS-GH program. 

I was tasked with a project called Sauti ya Vijana, supervised by my mentor Dr. Osondu Ogbuoji. It is a mental health intervention for adolescents living with HIV in Tanzania. I evaluated the pilot Randomized control trial as a research assistant during my master’s program. We went beyond the regular cost-benefit analysis of the project and built a mathematical model to show the benefits of the intervention. 

What motivated you to stay on campus? 

I appreciate and I am very interested in the work that my team does. I realized that my values align with the work that is conducted at the center, and the support that I received as a student nudged me into believing that this would be a good place to work.  

What is your involvement with the current students at DGHI?

I interact with the current students in the program by participating in DGHI events such as the recent cultural day. I am also heavily involved in the Duke African Student Association where I was the treasurer. In addition to that, I have been able to make connections with and mentor current students who need guidance to be able to excel in the program.  

 Fun fact about you?

 During my free time, I enjoy taking pictures. I am a photography enthusiast. I have a camera that I use to capture memories through the various seasons of the year.