How did you get started in research/what inspired you?

After working as a clinician for several years, I noticed my impact on service users was limited to just a few. Thus, upon a thorough reflection, I was inspired to progress into public health research, where I felt I would have a broader impact on society. 

What inspires me most is my passion for research. I have a natural curiosity of always asking ‘why’? This is the only way I could take responsibility for the content I would offer to the research community in general. 

Also, I find research work fascinating as it provides a clear pathway to contributing to the advancement of knowledge in the disciplinary sector I am dedicated to. The importance of research should go beyond conceiving theoretical works that would only be found in a physical location such as a library, instead making an impact in real-life multidisciplinary environments. 

What do you enjoy about research?

What I enjoy about research is that it allows me to pursue my interests, learn something new, hone my problem-solving skills and challenge myself in several unique ways. Working on a faculty-initiated research project enables me to work closely with a mentor, usually a faculty member, and other experienced researchers. Through self-initiated public health research projects, I can work towards creating services that are relevant to the community’s interests and needs and make a real contribution to knowledge.

What training and support have you found most valuable in your career?

There are many training and support systems I found most valuable during my career. Researchers usually embark on increasingly diverse careers where collaboration, networking and interdisciplinarity have become more important. Critical reading, academic writing and critical analysis are some valuable training and support required of a researcher. Transferable skills from other professional skills (e.g., effective communication and problem-solving abilities) have helped me operate more effectively in different work environments.

Which people/organisations did you get in touch with to help you?

Starting a research career can be daunting but exciting. The challenge of getting the needed support to achieve my dream came true when I enrolled at university for a research degree. I had the opportunity of getting mentorship and some academic resources to enhance my knowledge. I connected with and contacted very experienced researchers in the field of public health who supported my interest in growing as a research professional. Through the people I met, I have had the opportunity to work on exciting but substantial research projects that have had a massive impact on the public health community.