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Our SLOs play a crucial role as the voice of the student body within the Centre, feeding their ideas and enthusiasm into our activities and connecting us with LSHTM's global network. SLOs have a number of important responsibilities within the Centre, assisting with events organisation, producing content such as blogs and social media updates, and helping to promote Centre activities within the student community. Here, the five SLOs introduce themselves and their interest in humanitarian crises.

Hannah Zaveri, MSc in Public Health

Before starting an MSc in Public Health at LSHTM, my work and research focused on empowering vulnerable populations. I studied global public health at the University of Virginia, where I conducted research to support people living with HIV in the US and investigated disability stigma in Kenya. I was born in Kenya but I grew up in Zimbabwe, and I returned to the African continent after my bachelor’s, where I supported low-income Rwandan youth in securing quality post-secondary education.

I resonate with HHCC’s mission of improving health among populations impacted by humanitarian crises. I am motivated to raise awareness about humanitarian crises that are less represented in mainstream media. After completing my master’s, I aim to contribute to strengthening health systems in resource-strained settings.

Rima Fandi, MSc in Public Health for Development

I am pursuing the MSc in Public Health for Development, building on my medical training and experience managing and coordinating public health efforts in emergency settings. I worked with the Syrian Youth Council NGO and later with the WHO Syria Coastal office, focusing on addressing health needs in underserved communities. I became interested in public health education, policy, and community engagement as a means to contribute effectively to health system strengthening.

I chose to be an SLO at HHCC because I am passionate about improving outreach and designing dignified health services for the most vulnerable populations facing humanitarian crises. By contributing to HHCC's initiatives, I aim to promote equitable health outcomes and enhance my understanding of the unique health challenges in crises, enabling me to work toward meaningful change.

Vincent Duquette, MSc in Control of Infectious Diseases

I’m originally from Québec, Canada, where I just completed my undergraduate degree in microbiology and immunology. In the last few years, I’ve mostly worked on HIV treatment delivery programmes in Canada and South Africa, but I’m hoping to explore new interests throughout my time at LSHTM.

I chose to get involved with the HHCC because of I recognize the urgent need for more robust frameworks for outbreak management in the context of natural disasters and armed conflicts. This year, I’m very much looking forward to helping foster connections between students and the Centre’s expertise through various events and initiatives.

Elizabeth Awuor Oele, MSc in Epidemiology (Distance Learning)

I am a global health practitioner with experience in medical practice, public health programming for low-resource settings and service delivery among underserved populations, such as those with a high burden of infectious diseases and those prone to natural disasters. My expertise includes stakeholder analysis and engagement, policy development, implementation and using a results-based management approach. I am interested in influencing policy at every level through research and learning programmes and I’ve utilised my skills set in supporting the government to implement priority health and social programs in consultation with partners.

The opportunity to serve as a distance learning SLO for the HHCC gives me an opportunity to build on my leadership skills, expand my network, and is aligned with my career aspirations to work in emergency preparedness and humanitarian work.

Elvira Parafita Losada, MSc in Public Health (Distance Learning)

I am a medical doctor specialising in family medicine, with five years’ experience working for Doctors Without Borders.

I joined the HHCC as a distance learning SLO because I am deeply interested in health in crisis-affected areas and the complexity, ethical dilemmas (such as power and colonial dynamics in aid) and many contextual factors involved. I am particularly interested in issues of access to quality data, access to medicine, tests and vaccines, as well as research and technology implementation to increase local response capacity.

I look forward to sharing experiences, promoting discussion and networking with students and professionals interested in health and humanitarian response. While studying remotely poses challenges, I am committed to creating meaningful virtual spaces for engagement and collaboration.