Meet Vincent Arumadri, a dedicated researcher at Erasmus MC’s Department of Public Health, who began their PhD journey in August this year. By studying the links between extreme weather events and disease transmission, he aims to develop a national early warning system that could significantly improve outbreak preparedness in the region. Driven by personal experience growing up in Uganda, Arumadri is determined to contribute to global health research that directly informs policy and saves lives.
Where are you working?
I am a PhD candidate at Erasmus MC, Department of Public Health, since August 2024. I am working under the supervision of Luc Coffeng and Sake de Vlas.
What is your research focused on?
My research focuses on predicting outbreak risks of malaria, Rift Valley fever, and Yellow fever in Uganda after extreme weather events like flooding and landslides. I will investigate the link between these weather events and disease outbreaks, create transmission models for the diseases, and collaborate with project partners to establish a national early warning system. This system will help government ministries prepare the health system for potential outbreaks following extreme weather.
What drew you to Global Health?
I am from Uganda where infectious diseases dominate the health burden and where outbreaks frequently cause significant morbidity and mortality. This reality has been the driving force behind my academic and career goals, which are rooted in outbreak preparedness, planning, and response, as well as informing public health policy through research.
Early in my Master of Epidemiology studies, I realized that for my research to be impactful, it needed to be relevant to policymakers. My master's thesis focused on assessing the cost-effectiveness of respiratory syncytial virus vaccination strategies using mathematical models, which enabled me to acquire valuable research skills to inform policy decisions. Now, through my PhD work and the skills I will continue to acquire, I am excited to realise my goals and contribute to improving the health of people in my homeland and beyond.
What are your main ambitions for the future?
I feel privileged to be part of this project and am fully focused on ensuring its success. Once this project is implemented, I aspire to continue supporting Uganda and other countries in the region to prepare for, plan and respond to infectious disease outbreaks through my research and work. I aim to make lasting impact through evidence-based policies and initiatives.
Do you have a paper/TED Talk/Podcast that you enjoy and would recommend us to listen to?
While I don’t have a particular paper, TED Talk, or podcast to recommend at the moment, I recently started reading a fascinating book titled The Health of Nations by Karen Bartlett. It describes the historical and current challenges of infectious disease control and eradication programmes. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the politics, economics and sociology of infectious disease control and eradication.
What advice would you give to aspiring global health researchers?
My advice would be to stay curious and open to interdisciplinary approaches. Global health issues often intersect with politics, economics, and cultures, so having a broad perspective is essential. Engage with the local communities your research will impact, and always consider how your work can influence real-world policies. Lastly, be patient—research in this field takes time, but its impact can be transformative.
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