TDR-supported scientists share their inspirational success stories

22 March 2021
News release
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"My success story with TDR started when my first application as a Principal Investigator (PI) for a schistosomiasis-related project was approved for funding soon after receiving my PhD in 2014. As the first grant received, this was an outstanding turning point in my early career as a researcher from Yemen, one of the least-developed countries."

So begins Dr Rashad Abdul-Ghani’s winning submission to TDR Global’s first Career Impact Contest, which aimed to gather stories of how support from TDR has made an impact on the careers of scientists addressing infectious diseases of poverty.


Dr Rashad Abdul-Ghani, who has focused his research career on tackling malaria,
onchocerciasis and dengue in Yemen
Credit: R. Abdul-Ghani

Over the years, TDR has contributed to the development of a global community of leaders and agents of change who are showing how research can improve the health and well-being of vulnerable populations. This community, TDR Global, aims to catalyse research collaborations and foster mentorship of young scientists.

The Career Impact Contest resulted in 28 scientists, mostly from low- and middle-income countries, sharing stories about their research achievements and how they are making a difference in their countries. Six judges from the TDR Global community evaluated the submissions, which ranged from text-based narratives and photo essays to flyers and videos, based on four criteria: relevance, content, narrative and inclusiveness. Below we present the three winners and three finalists, among whom two are women. We congratulate them all and thank all participants for taking the time to share their stories.

"We were impressed by the high quality of the submissions, and I was very happy to see that TDR’s support for these scientists is making a big impact on equity and inclusiveness in global health research in low- and middle-income countries,” said Dr Lyda Osorio, who chairs the TDR Global working group and was one of the judges for the contest.

Winners

Rashad Abdul-GhaniNadira D. KarunaweeraGustavo Adolfo Avila Montes

Rashad Abdul-Ghani

Nadira D. Karunaweera

Gustavo Adolfo Avila Montes

Finalists

Joshi BasantTyrone Reden SyAsha Wijegunawardana
Basant Joshi

Tyrone Reden Sy

Asha Wijegunawardana


For more information, please contact Dr Beatrice Halpaap

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About TDR Global

TDR Global is a community of passionate scientists and experts who have been working with TDR to support the global research effort on infectious diseases of poverty. TDR Global members are TDR grantees, experts and researchers, TDR Staff, TDR sponsors and supporters. The aim of TDR Global is to catalyse local collaborative actions for research on infectious diseases of poverty by creating an environment of interaction, networking and sharing.