Sylvia Wanzala, MSc
Nominated From: University of Minnesota
Research Site: Uganda
Research Area: International Health
Primary Mentor: Katey Pelican
Background
Sylvia Wanzala has always desired to work with the people at the grass roots level because she believes that in doing so she would be better able to understand and see issues from their perspective. She desires to use her expertise to help inform policy and bring about a tangible change in the lives of the rural communities in Uganda, especially vulnerable persons like women and children.
Sylvia joined the Veterinary Public Health (VPH) residency programme at the Centre for Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS), College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota in February 2012 where she has been working on multiple projects. She is also enrolled in the Executive Masters in Public Health Practice at the University of Minnesota. This is part of a collaborative effort between the University of Minnesota and Makerere University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal resources and Biosecurity (COVAB). As a VPH Resident from Makerere University, she is mandated to adapt and develop a residency based knowledge program for Uganda and the East Africa region. Her residency is a pilot program for the One-Health Central and Eastern Africa (OHCEA) network based on the unique and successful program in Veterinary Public Health at the University of Minnesota.
She graduated with a MVM degree from Makerere University in 2005 and is soon to graduate with an MSc in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology degree from the same university. For her MSc thesis, she worked on the causative agent for Tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, which causes serious disease in immune compromised individuals like persons living with HIV/AIDS. She has been a faculty member of COVAB, Makerere University since 2006. Sylvia has been named a Global Health Fellow for 2012-2013, and will be returning to Uganda this fall to work in this area of public health. Her research interests include infectious diseases, zoonoses, public health and policy.
Publications
