27 March 2024 Articles

On dedication and on the future

Double interview with Marleen Boelaert scholarship student Richard Ndayisaba and Laura Moreno Reyes.

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Meet Richard Ndayisaba, the inaugural recipient of the prestigious Marleen Boelaert scholarship at ITM. His journey mirrors that of Professor Marleen Boelaert, whose legacy is celebrated through a dedicated study fund honoring her tireless advocacy for neglected tropical diseases and healthcare policy. Joining him is Laura Moreno Reyes, the daughter of Marleen Boelaert and a Health Economist at Enabel. Together, they embody a legacy of passion and commitment to global health.

Richard, you are currently enrolled as a student in the Data for Action short course. How are you finding your experience at ITM?

RICHARD (laughs) I'm thoroughly enjoying it, it is incredibly interesting. I first learned about the course at ITM in October last year and immediately began preparing my application. Soledad (Colombe) and Wim (Van Bortel) guided me through the enrollment process and also supported my application. We initially connected through my role as an Operational Research Coordinator for the Malaria Project at Médecins Sans Frontières Belgium in Burundi. Burundi is set to commence Malaria vaccination in July 2024, targeting young children under 5. Analysing epidemiological data and monitoring malaria are among our primary challenges.

Richard, in your application, you mentioned your desire to enhance your skills in data analysis and interpretation. Could you elaborate on that?

RICHARD As a Medical Doctor with a Master's degree in Public Health from the University of Burundi in Bujumbura, my professional focus lies on health systems analysis. However, I realised the necessity for further training in data analysis to augment my capabilities. Improving my skills in this area is a personal priority for me this year. I had not worked with R studio before, but the training provided here at ITM has been invaluable. I view this course as a significant advancement in my career, greatly enhancing my ability to take actionable steps.

Laura, prior to this interview, you met with Raffaella Ravinetto from the Department of Public Health. How crucial are your connections with ITM in your current role as a Health Economist at Enabel? Your CV also highlights expertise in data analysis. Could you elaborate on that?

LAURA I always welcome the opportunity to return to ITM where I used to spend more time when my mother was teaching here. My meeting with Raffaella centered around the collaboration between Enabel and ITM on various projects. We primarily discussed pharmaceutical matters, as Enabel is currently working on projects focused on medicine accessibility and pharmaceutical manufacturing in LMIC countries. In my role, I primarily engage in the area of medicine affordability and accessibility. I joined Enabel in June last year, transitioning from my previous work as an independent consultant. This shift aligns closely with my mother's career path in public health, which I aim to continue.

Do you both feel a connection with Marleen in terms of the importance of data management and analysis in your respective careers?

LAURA Marleen was an epidemiologist. She lectured basic and advanced methodological courses on epidemiology and statistics. She was also in charge of a course on Neglected Tropical Diseases. Data analysis and methodology, of course, are big business for epidemiologists. She always emphasised the importance of evidence for decision-making. I have an anecdote to tell you: despite being in the Latin/Greek section in high school, in which the air often whispers tales of their supposed weakness in areas like mathematics and “so-called “hard sciences”, my mum recognised this and, to prove those who doubted her wrong, she dedicated herself to mastering statistics and study methodologies to overcome it.

Laura, we noticed your advocacy for the Marleen Boelaert Study Fund in several of your tweets. You and some family members are actively involved as key sponsors. How do you feel about the fund's success and Richard being awarded a scholarship?

LAURA I'm delighted. I shared the news with my grandmother this morning, and she was thrilled. Seeing the fund gain traction immediately after its launch and now having Richard as its first recipient is truly gratifying. I'm keen to see more scholars benefit from the Marleen Boelaert study fund.

Richard, you are the inaugural Marleen Boelaert scholar hosted at ITM. How does this make you feel?

RICHARD I'm honored to represent the Marleen Boelaert scholarship programme and will certainly advocate for it. Being the face associated with potential donors is fulfilling, although I regret not being able to personally thank all sponsors. However, I hope this interview serves as a token of my gratitude. On a personal note, I came here with specific objectives, and both my personal and professional goals have undoubtedly been achieved.

Marleen Boelaert Study Fund

Marleen Boelaert, respected epidemiologist and one of the driving forces behind ITM, was committed to social justice and equality. She built an extensive international network, was a mentor for countless students and staff members, raised awareness on neglected tropical diseases such as sleeping sickness, and aimed for access to quality health care for all. Continue her impressive legacy by supporting her initiative. By doing so, you create new opportunities for promising care providers and research talent.

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