Reflections from ICHAD 2025 Graduates

Congratulations to recent ICHAD Research Assistants Francis Ssenabulya, Scovia Nassaazi, Fatumah Nakabuye who graduated from the Brown School at WashU with MPH and MSW degrees.  We invited these graduates to share their thoughts on how ICHAD has enhanced their academic and professional development, as well as their most significant achievements, and their future plans. Please read their responses below:

Scovia Nassaazi, Master of Social Work

As a graduate of an MSW from Washington University, I am extremely excited, proud, and filled with gratitude for the journey that has shaped my professional skills and personal growth. This milestone marks not an end, but a beginning. My passion lies in working with children, youth, and families. Throughout my program, including my practicum work, I have developed a passion for creating safe, nurturing environments where young people can thrive, and families can access the support they need to grow stronger together.

With a heart rooted in advocacy and commitment to equity, I plan to continue serving in community-based programs that focus on child welfare, mental health, family empowerment, and inclusive services that truly reflect the voices and needs of those they serve. I believe every child deserves a safe, supportive environment, and I am ready to be a catalyst for change where I go. I am very humbled and honored to step into the next chapter with a heart of service and vision for lasting impact. I give glory to God because He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and last (Revelation 22:13). When He starts a journey, always available to complete it.

Ssemujju Francis Ssenabulya, Master of Public Health (MPH), Epidemiology & Biostatistics

My journey with ICHAD began long before graduate school—starting as a support staff/field interviewer and evolving through roles such as Research Assistant, Assistant Training Programs Coordinator, and Deputy Study Coordinator. These formative experiences, paired with the mentorship and belief in my potential from Dr. Fred Ssewamala and the entire Ugandan team, gave me the confidence and motivation to pursue graduate studies. At every stage, ICHAD provided a nurturing environment that strengthened my skills in research implementation, data handling, stakeholder engagement, and leadership.

During my MPH, I served as a Graduate Research Assistant under the guidance of Dr. Fred Ssewamala, Dr. Proscovia Nabunya, Dr. Ozge Sensoy Bahar, and other team members, where I further sharpened my technical and analytical skills in public health research. The mentorship, skills, and trust placed in me throughout these roles have been truly transformative.

Graduating with an MPH from Washington University is a significant milestone, and I’m especially proud of my capstone project, which applied spatial (GIS) and statistical methods to analyze HIV incidence in relation to socioeconomic disparities across Illinois counties. This project reflects the real-world application of skills I refined during my time at ICHAD. I am also honored to have contributed to multiple NIH-funded studies,  supporting everything from data collection to supervising and coordinating the delivery of evidence-based interventions. The mentorship, skills, and trust placed in me throughout these roles have been truly transformative and they helped shape my career path and made all the difference.

Regarding my next steps, I look forward to applying my skills in clinical and public health research, with a focus on infectious diseases, health disparities, and data-driven interventions. I am currently exploring opportunities in research and policy that will allow me to bridge evidence and action, particularly for underserved communities. I also plan to pursue doctoral training in the future. I remain deeply grateful to ICHAD for shaping my academic and professional journey, and I look forward to continued collaboration with this incredible team.

Fatumah Nakabuye, Master of Social Work

I am deeply grateful for the encouragement and mentorship I have received throughout my journey of obtaining a Master of Social Work degree from Washington University in St. Louis.   I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the incredible opportunity to continue working with ICHAD and for the unwavering support Dr. Fred and the team have provided. Their guidance and encouragement have played a significant role in the smooth progression of my education, and I am truly thankful for that.

Now that I have graduated, I intend to focus my work on addressing the impact of intimate partner violence on the livelihoods and educational outcomes of adolescents and young people in Uganda. I am committed to advocating for policies and programs that protect vulnerable populations, promote economic justice, and disrupt cycles of violence. Through community-based interventions and applied research, I aim to create lasting, meaningful changes that uplift families and strengthen future generations.