This Q&A series is part of Black History Month and Beyond, an initiative of the Black History Month (BHM) Organizing Committee co-led by Black students and faculty from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences with the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Anti-Racism Committee (EDI-AR) of the School of Population and Global Health.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I was raised in Calgary, but my ancestral roots are in Eritrea, a small country in East Africa. From a young age, I was an avid reader and writer, particularly drawn to modern history and current events. This passion naturally lent itself to the field of public health, where as a student of epidemiology, I am not just interested in the distribution of disease in populations, but investigating the social determinants of health and the injustices that produce health inequities.
Can you describe your program of study and your research project?
My research focuses on infectious disease epidemiology, with a particular emphasis on tuberculosis prevention and elimination. I began my undergraduate studies, a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) from the University of Calgary, in 2020, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when infectious disease epidemiology became the defining global challenge. During this time, I had the opportunity to contribute to a living systematic review and dashboard tracking emerging pathogens, including COVID-19 and arboviruses.
Now, as a graduate student, I have the exciting opportunity to shift my focus to tuberculosis under the mentorship of Jonathon Campbell [Assistant Professor in the Departments of Global and Public Health and Medicine]. My research explores how tuberculosis preventive treatment in Canada can prevent progression to tuberculosis disease, particularly among persons born outside of Canada, who are disproportionately impacted by the disease. For my thesis, I will analyze health administrative data from British Columbia to assess the long-term effectiveness of this approach.
What inspired you to pursue your area of research? What do you hope to achieve?
In high school, I became fascinated with disease detectives— I envisioned them as the Nancy Drew of pathogens. The idea of tracking and unravelling outbreaks felt like an adventure.
Despite mapping the entire planet and exploring everything from the ocean’s depths and outer space, we still struggle to fully understand and control disease transmission, making the work of infectious disease epidemiologists both essential and exhilarating.
As I progressed in my studies, I have learned that the tools to fight infectious diseases are not limited to microbes and field investigations – they also exist in health datasets, waiting to be uncovered. By analyzing population data, we can trace patterns of disease risk and inform policy interventions, transforming health data into public health responses.
I hope as an epidemiologist, I get to be a part of the effort that eliminates TB from Canada – and, eventually, globally.
Why did you choose McGill?
My decision to attend McGill for graduate school started with my love affair with Montreal. When I was 17, I did an exchange program with the YMCA, where I spent a summer living just outside of the city with a Quebecois family and working at a Francophone daycare. I came with the intention of putting my high-school French courses into practice and exploring a new part of Canada. I was captivated by the distinctness in culture and attitudes; in language, architecture, and most notably – way of life. I had never seen such a cultural embrace of all things artsy and counterculture in Canada. Independent shops, cafes, and bars are protected and kept lively by community members. It is perfectly normal to be 35 years old and not own a vehicle. If there is an ongoing social movement, Montreal is at the forefront of protests and political street art. This city is a gem in North America.
At McGill, the student body (and many of the faculty & staff) is comprised of an incredible blend of academic excellence and defiant activism. In light of the recent devastating funding cuts in global health, I am so inspired by the brilliant voices at the McGill TB Centre that take on the responsibility of reminding the world that we cannot leave behind the people who are most affected. I feel empowered as student researchers to use our positions of great fortitude and join the fight.
As I have progressed through my studies, McGill has academically challenged me in profound ways that have been crucial to my growth as a student and researcher. As an epidemiologist-in-training, it was important for me to complete my degree with a strong quantitative skillset. In terms of methodological rigour in epidemiology, McGill is unparalleled. I have learned an extraordinary amount in the past eight months and look forward to applying it in practice through my thesis.
Can you describe your community involvement and why you feel it is important, especially as a member of the Black community?
I am an ECOLE Facilitator at McGill, which means I live and work within a sustainability-focused living-learning community, actively promoting ecological and social sustainability. Through this role, I have gained hands-on experience in sustainable living practices and social advocacy, deepening my commitment to environmental and social change. This includes events such as recently hosting a documentary screening on the film The 13th with a discussion about the American prison industrial complex. For my personal project, I will be leading a community-based participatory research project exploring experiences with communal living in Montreal.
I believe that social and environmental justice require analysis through an intersectional lens. From forced displacement to resource exploitation to modern environmental racism, African and Afro-diasporic communities—both globally and locally—are consistently disproportionately impacted by social and ecological injustices. I have learned that sustainability is not just about reducing consumption, but is also about dismantling systemic barriers that purposefully disadvantaged our communities for economic and political gain.
How has your identity as a member of the Black community formed your research interests or community involvement?
I believe my positionality as a young Black researcher in Canada has shaped some of the choices I have made in terms of what to focus on in my career. I was raised in a cultural community of exceptionally hard-working refugees, whose lives have been profoundly shaped by the lasting impacts of colonialism and systemic inequities. I take immense pride in honouring their resilience by dedicating my work to improving the health and well-being of similar populations. Further, I have been profoundly inspired by the brilliance and camaraderie of fellow Black scholars at McGill. Connecting with a network of Black excellence has been an experience I can only describe as deeply soul-nourishing.
What advice would you give your younger self, knowing what you know today?
I would tell my younger self to redefine what a “career” truly means. Goals are not just checkpoints to power through, and just because you are capable of something doesn’t mean you are obligated to pursue it. Academic milestones should not be approached with sheer persistence alone—the journey itself CAN be fulfilling. Surround yourself with good friends, carve out time for joy, and embrace the experiences that make the process meaningful. Most importantly, it is okay to say no. Not every great opportunity is the right opportunity. Choose to invest your time and energy in what genuinely excites and fulfills you – and if you don’t know what that is, dip your toes in a few things and fail a few times. What you end up liking might surprise you.
Related:
Awards for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in health care research
