While I may understand what is recommended in ideal conditions, my colleagues here understand how to treat within this system and which drugs are reliably available. They know how to adapt protocols, which has required humility. It has also deepened my respect for local clinicians and laboratory teams. The Fulbright experience has expanded my professional world in ways that will last well beyond the fellowship year as I now collaborate with physicians and researchers in Malawi, Uganda, and South Africa. I have built stronger ties with faculty at UNC and become connected to broader global hematology networks and new active collaborators.
There are also health realities here that have reshaped my perspective. HIV prevalence in Malawi remains around 9% in the general population. Its impact on cancer development and treatment is significant and visible at a scale that does not exist in the United States due to differences in access to testing and medications. Seeing how infectious disease and oncology intersect in daily practice has broadened how I think about medicine. This experience has influenced my long term goals since pathology can increasingly be practiced through digital slides and teleconferencing, which creates opportunities for global collaboration. At the same time, I am interested in helping strengthen physical laboratory infrastructure in places that are building capacity. I hope to carry forward a more global perspective in whatever system I ultimately work within.
Language: Connection and Awareness. Spanish began as a high school requirement.
