For me, the UJMT Fogarty Global Health Fellowship Program was literally the exclusive opportunity that launched my career in Global Health research. Several key factors that this program offered were determinant to success in my career in this field. Those key factors are:

Funding: UJMT-FGHF in addition of my paid my full salary with benefits, I received some funding for my research project and that was really important to have those minimum funding to generate preliminary data for allowing me to submit subsequent grant applications.

Time commitment: UJMT-FGHF secured the exact right amount of time commitment to travel abroad, not too short, not too long, for accomplishing the preliminary data acquisition.

Mentorship: Perhaps the most important aspect of the fellowship is the exposure to invaluable professional networks during the program. That was what helped me to keep in focus and never give up. This is also what kept me going on (mentally, professionally and including financially) beyond the award period. This step is the only step that no matter what amount of funding you receive, good mentors are primordial for the career development and engage in challenging, varied and interesting work field.

The bottom line is that this program developed the backbone of my career development grant application. I obtained the Fogarty’s International Research Scientist Development Award (IRSDA). Which I would have never received it if it wasn’t for the “small” boosting help that UJMT gave me. I am very thankful. This changed my life for good. And now it’s time for me to give forward and to make a difference in the world not only through my research and public health contribution, but also through being a good mentor in my turn.