Editor’s note: The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders brings Fellows to the United States for academic advancement, leadership training, and professional development. Dr. Zanma Michaël John Compaore, a 2024 Mandela Fellow from Burkina Faso, spent a month working with members of PATH’s global team.
Each Mandela Fellowship includes a Professional Development Experience. I did my Professional Development Experience at PATH to broaden my range of experience in global public health. This field is of major interest to me, especially as a malaria researcher currently working on a new malaria vaccine candidate.
Despite the approval of the RTS,S and R21/Matrix-M™ malaria vaccines, other malaria vaccines are still being developed. The hope is to provide even better immunization against the disease for both children and adults.
In addition to these vaccines, other malaria interventions such as drugs, vector control, and behavior change communications are available. But these have been ineffective in reducing the burden of disease in most malaria-endemic countries—especially in sub-Saharan African countries, including Burkina Faso, my home.
Beyond malaria, other existing or emerging infectious diseases require great attention from global public health actors. And the needs are only being intensified by climate change and globalization. In low- and middle-income countries, weak surveillance and response systems, low-quality health services, and inequitable access to care are threats to the health of all people—locally, regionally, and globally.
This is the root of my growing interest in global public health. At its best, global health aims to be a framework in which holistic and adapted solutions are found and implemented to meet patient needs in each country and around the world—and I want to play a part in it.
Impact, mentorship, and future collaborations
During my time at PATH, I aimed to understand how the organization operates, create connections for future collaborations, and learn new ways I can apply my current skills—and those I am developing—to improve people’s health, especially in resource-limited countries. Though the experience was enriching, one month was insufficient given the great scope of PATH’s work and history.
I was fortunate to have an extraordinary supervisor, Mr. Ibrahim Ali, a senior program officer with PATH’s Epidemic Preparedness and Response team. Thanks to his diligence, open-mindedness, and willingness to help others grow, Ibrahim helped me get the most out of this experience.
Ibrahim (left) and me at PATH’s Seattle office. Photo: PATH.
I later learned that Ibrahim’s hometown in Ghana’s Upper West Region is less than 40 kilometers from my country. When we discussed my current fellowship and future education, he encouraged me to “keep [my] mind open at the early stage of [my] career” and not rush to specialize until I have a clearer sense of which options would allow me to combine my medical training, clinical research, and public health expertise.
“Keep your mind open at the early stage of your career.”— Ibrahim Ali, Senior Program Officer, PATH
I was able to hold about 15 exchange and work meetings with different members of PATH’s global team, including staff from Epidemic Preparedness and Response; Quality and Program Impact; Human Resources; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases; Center for Vaccine Innovation and Access; and External Affairs, including Mr. David Verga, who made this article possible. These meetings allowed me to enhance my knowledge and understanding of global public health through the lens of PATH’s programs and projects.
I especially enjoyed meeting Dr. Cyril Engmann, a neonatologist and PATH’s Senior Director of Quality and Program Impact, and Mr. Levis Nderitu, my elder Mandela Washington Fellow and (now) PATH’s Global Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Dr. Engmann encouraged me [by saying], “Always ask yourself: Who am I serving? What is my definition of impact?” Levis emphasized the importance of maintaining a healthy work environment where each individual—regardless of their origins, gender, or beliefs—can work together to achieve great things for the benefit of all people.
“Always ask yourself: Who am I serving? What is my definition of impact?”— Dr. Cyril Engmann, Senior Director, PATH
During my time at PATH, I was also able to build connections and foster opportunities for future collaboration with other global health organizations such as the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Through my participation in trainings and webinars, I was able to broaden my skills in data management and analysis with WHONET software and learn how to reduce antimicrobial resistance by addressing market challenges with the PATH community of practice on anti-microbial resistance and genomics. I also got to present the work we are doing at the Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro—my home institution—to PATH staff to raise their interest in future collaborations.
My time at PATH was the highlight of my fellowship journey. Everything I gained goes to my improvement—which is key for me in my dedication to serving others and improving health access and security.
