April 23, 2010

Virginia Senkomago

Virginia Senkomago

Doctoral student Virginia Senkomago, MPH, of Uganda, received a Tellus Educational Foundation scholarship to study infectious disease epidemiology, particularly sexually transmitted diseases in sub-Saharan Africa.

Senkomago, who also received The Winstanly Scholarship, funded by Derek and Louise Winstanly, currently is a research assistant on a project led by Frieda Behets, PhD, associate professor of epidemiology at UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. Behets’ project focuses on sustainable delivery of antiretroviral medicine to HIV patients in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Senkomago is particularly interested in HIV/AIDS in sub- Saharan Africa because of the toll it takes on individuals’ lives.

“Almost everyone I know in Uganda has a friend or relative affected by the disease,” Senkomago said.

Tellus Leadership Scholarships worth up to $75,000 are awarded to remarkable, committed students from traditionally underserved countries.

“Virginia’s proven academic performance and her clinical work in the DRC fit perfectly with the Foundation’s goals,” said Andrew Waters, president of the Tellus Educational Foundation. “We are thrilled that she is a Tellus Leadership Scholar.”

“I want to use my knowledge to enhance the well-being of others,” Senkomago said. “The Tellus scholarship allows me to do this, and I’m so grateful for the Foundation’s support.”

– by Natalie Gott


Carolina Public Health is a publication of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health. To view previous issues, please visit www.sph.unc.edu/cph.

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