The Researcher.Life Ambassador Program is a global community of researchers who wish to give back to their academic communities through mentoring and collaboration with other researchers. Researcher.Life Ambassadors empower themselves and their fellow researchers with advanced tools and services from Researcher.Life that help them do more, be more, and succeed more. Every month we spotlight one Ambassador who has gone the extra mile in supporting their academic community.
Ambassador of the Month: Akim Tafadzwa Lukwa
Akim T Lukwa is a seasoned health economist, currently working as an Analyst (Health-practice) at Genesis Analytics, South Africa. He is also a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Cape Town, Health Economics Unit, South Africa. His research interests are in food (insecurity), maternal and child health inequalities.
Could you tell us a little about your research?
My main research interests are in socioeconomic inequalities in health across disciplines. However, to date, I have published work in peer-reviewed journals on the economic burden of malaria, child health, and maternal health. I am currently looking at healthy eating and healthy food choices as part of my Ph.D.
How did you get interested in this field?
My dad is an entomologist by profession so we would go to his workplace since childhood; since then, I fell in love with public health research.
What are you currently working on now?
I am currently doing my Ph.D. (Public Health-Health Economics) at the University of Cape.
Why did you decide to become a Researcher.Life Ambassador?
It has always been my passion to share my experience as a young researcher, encouraging others that anything is possible as long as you are determined.
What is the best part about working in research?
In research, most of the time you are moving around. This avails a unique opportunity to travel to new places and experience life in different countries and cultures. Research has given me the opportunity to meet new people and obtain contacts, both of which have been extremely rewarding. Furthermore, research has offered the experience of jobs at various institutions, which can have given me an insight into how cultures vary across universities. Lastly, being part of an institution like a university has provided me with a pre-existing network that I have explored, both professionally and socially, which had made settling down in a new country a whole lot easier.
And the most challenging part about working in research?
It is time demanding and if you are not careful you might not find time to socialize.
What is the one thing you want people to know about Researcher.Life?
It is an interesting platform to grow especially for young researchers.
How has Researcher.Life Ambassador Program helped you in empowering the research community?
I have managed to co-ordinate a talk on life as a young researcher and how to navigate the academic and other research spaces. We had the privilege to have expert speakers on board both in the academic and private spaces sharing valuable insights on how to be a researcher.
Would you also like to give back to the academic community like Nour?
Consider becoming a Researcher.Life Ambassador – apply today!
Learn more about the Researcher.Life Ambassador Program here.
