2024 Global Health Scholars - Graduate — Perspectives on Global Health

In this blog, we highlight the impactful projects led by our graduate level Global Health Scholars. Each of these Scholars is tackling critical health challenges across diverse regions, from addressing the consequences of Zika virus misclassification in Brazil to examining gender disparities in pediatric surgical care in Africa. Their work spans a range of pressing issues, including mental health services in Ghana, food and water security in Brazil, and healthcare inequities in India.

The 2024 cohort of McGill Global Health Programs’ Global Health Scholars – Graduate program includes 12 amazing Scholars. Please note that not all Scholars have opted in to be featured in this piece.

**Céline Goulart**

*PhD candidate, Epidemiology*
**Project:** Exploring the Impact of Zika Exposure Misclassification, Trimester of Zika Infection, and Racial Inequalities on Microcephaly Outcomes in Brazil*
Céline investigated the intersection of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection, misclassification, and racial inequalities in Brazil. Her project aimed to explore how the misclassification of Zika infection affected microcephaly outcomes and assessed the role racial disparities played in this context. She conducted a comprehensive analysis using surveillance data, focusing on how Afro-descendant populations were disproportionately affected.
**Award:** *Soe-Lin-Hecht Global Health Scholar Graduate Award*

**Chanelle Nadou Lawson-Lartego**

*MSc candidate, Public Health*
**Project**: Evaluation of Psych Corps Ghana’s Psychological First-Aid Training*
Chanelle evaluated the Psych Corps Ghana program, which trained psychology graduates to expand mental health services in Ghana. Her research focused on the impact of a 3-day psychological first-aid training on the knowledge and well-being of these community mental health workers. Through interviews and focus groups, she aimed to understand how this training influenced both the workers and the broader community.
**Award:** *Ambassador Paul Frazer Travel Award for Global Health and the Steinberg Fund for Interdisciplinary Global Health Research Award*

**Kyla Christianson**

*MScA candidate, Advanced Nursing degree in the Global Health Concentration*
**Project:** Sex and Gender Considerations when Delivering a Pregnancy and Early Childhood Health Promotion Intervention in Shanghai, China*
Kyla’s project examined how gender perceptions influenced health promotion efforts aimed at preventing childhood obesity in Shanghai. Through interviews with healthcare providers and mothers, she explored expectations around body size, physical activity, and parenting roles. Her findings aimed to promote gender-sensitive interventions for obesity prevention during early childhood.
**Award:** *Dr. Alice Benjamin Global Maternal and Child Health Award*

**Luz Villa Castillo**

**Project**: Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Cases in the Population Deprived of Liberty in Peru: A National-Level Comparative Analysis*
Luz investigated drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) in Peruvian prisons, where overcrowding exacerbated TB transmission. By comparing DR-TB cases in the prison population with the general population, Luz highlighted the unique challenges faced by those deprived of liberty. Her research aimed to improve TB care in prisons and prevent the spread of drug-resistant strains to the broader community.

**Award**: *Steinberg Fund for Interdisciplinary Global Health Research Award*

**Meena Ramachandran**

*PhD candidate, PhD in Rehabilitation Science*
**Project**: An Ethnographic Exploration of Inequities in Health and Social Care for People Living with Dementia in India
Meena’s research examined how people living with dementia in India navigated health and social care systems. Through an ethnographic approach, she explored the inequities they faced, particularly those related to socioeconomic disadvantages. Her work aimed to highlight the systemic barriers and inform equitable, culturally sensitive dementia care in India.
**Award:** *Soe-Lin-Hecht Global Health Scholar Graduate Award*

**Nicole Shaw**

*MSc candidate, Human Nutrition*
**Project**: Nexus of Women’s Empowerment, Dietary Diversity, Food Security, and Water Security among Mangrove Food Gatherers in Brazil*
Nicole’s project explored the relationship between women's empowerment, dietary diversity, food, and water security in Brazil’s mangrove communities. Her research used the Project-level Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index (pro-WEAI) to assess empowerment in a region where gender inequality in food security was high. This was the first study to use pro-WEAI in Brazil, aiming to bridge a significant knowledge gap in gendered food security studies.
**Award:** *Steinberg Fund for Interdisciplinary Global Health Research Award*

**Sacha Williams**

*MSc candidate, Epidemiology*
**Project:** The Impact of Gender on Pediatric Surgical Care in Africa
Sacha’s research highlighted gender disparities in pediatric surgical care across Africa. Her findings revealed that, for sex-neutral conditions, boys received surgery 3.6 times more often than girls, who faced higher mortality rates. Sacha’s work aimed to address these disparities and improve access to surgical care for all children in Africa, regardless of gender.
**Award:** *Steinberg Fund for Interdisciplinary Global Health Research Award*

**Swati Das**

*PhD candidate, Rehabilitation Science*
**Project**: The Role and Meaning of Evidence in Clinical Decision-Making among Occupational Therapists in India
Swati’s doctoral research focused on expanding the understanding of evidence in occupational therapy in India. Through collaborations with local therapists, she challenged the narrow, research-based definition of evidence. Her study aimed to integrate subjective experiences and clinical judgment into clinical decision-making, particularly in the context of underrepresented communities in India.
**Award:** *Dr. Kenneth Remsen Global Health Award*

Author: Claire R. Gapare

Editor: Alex Stoljar Gold