Notes from the Field: Hena Vadher MS’25

Note: This is the last of our series talking with students in the DGHI Master of Science in Global Health program about their summer field experiences. .

This summer, Hena Vadher, a second-year student in Duke's Master of Science in Global Health program, found herself immersed in the vibrant and complex environment of Panama City, Panama. Vadher was an independent graduate student researcher, hosted jointly by the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and Indicasat (the Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología de Panamá), a research institute in Panama City. 

Originally, Vadher had planned to conduct her research in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), but escalating conflict in the region led her to seek alternative opportunities.

"I was initially supposed to spend the summer in DRC working on a program evaluation project with AVSI and Dr. Eric Green," Vadher explains. "However, due to the conflict, it wasn’t feasible. During my first year at Duke, I developed a strong interest in environmental health and infectious disease, especially where those two intersect. That led me to reach out to Dr. Bill Pan, who suggested Panama as an alternative site for my research."

Vadher's research in Panama focused on investigating the relationships between malaria, migration and climate-driven factors. She contributed to several projects, primarily exploring how environmental and climate variables influence malaria vectors and transmission, particularly in the context of the large number of migrants who travel through Panama's Darien Gap.

"I supported a couple of studies, including one that looks at the spatial relationships between malaria vectors and climate variables using data from NASA," she says. "Another project involved a case-control study examining the relationship between migration and spikes in malaria transmission, which Panama has experienced since 2020."

Despite facing challenges, particularly in learning new skills such as statistical modeling, Vadher remained resilient. "Research is hard, especially when you’re new to it," she reflects. "The most challenging part was pushing myself through roadblocks when I was the one responsible for moving my research forward. It was a different experience from disaster response work, where there’s always a team to support you."

Vadher's experience in Panama was transformative, both professionally and personally. She describes her time there as a learning journey that expanded her understanding of global health. 

"I didn’t even know what R was a year ago, and now I’ve created models and plots that have been presented to Panama’s Ministry of Health," she says. "Being able to contribute to discussions about malaria, climate science, and infectious disease in a meaningful way is something I’m really proud of."

In addition to the research, Vadher found Panama itself to be an awe-inspiring place. "Panama City is an interesting mix of modernity and traditional challenges. The socioeconomic divides are stark, but being in the middle of it all, working with partners closely tied to the government, was incredible," she notes.

Looking forward, Vadher hopes her research will continue to inform and influence malaria eradication efforts in Panama and beyond. "If my work sparks conversations or leads to further research, that’s a success in my book," she says. "I’m still a student, still learning, but if I can contribute positively, that’s enough for me."

For future global health students, Vadher offers some sage advice: "Be grateful for every opportunity, even when things don’t go according to plan. There’s always something to learn and something to share."

As she reflects on her summer, Vadher’s passion for global health is evident. "Panama changed my perspective in so many ways. The jungle, the people, the challenges—it was all an incredible experience. I’m so grateful to be in a field that brings the world together to solve hard problems. I can’t wait for more."