Keyrellous Adib, WHO fellow in the Tobacco-Free Initiative, 20 Ooctober 2019–20 April 2020

The fellowship was an outstanding opportunity to deploy my research, software, and project management skills to support data-driven decision making, while maintaining a continuous personal and technical development. Having worked in Tobacco-Free Initiative, I have acquired sound knowledge and hands-on experience in monitoring tobacco control policies MPOWER, tobacco surveillance, tobacco economics and tobacco industry tactics.

I am a mixed-methods global health researcher with grass-roots experience in infectious diseases, health system development, and evidence synthesis. I am a data scientist/epidemiologist with practical experience in economic and epi-modelling, predictive analytics and machine learning.

What inspired you to come to work everyday?

Thinking about how the analyses I am undertaking would be deployed to support evidence-based policy and advocacy.

What are your future goals?

Currently, I am working with the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, health information management as a consultant in COVID-19 modelling and policy support. My current role involves reviewing and analysing the countries data-driven decision making and resource forecasting and make recommendations on the way forward.

What were your major contributions during the fellowship?

I have assessed the epidemiological and economic predictors of selected tobacco control indicators. In that regard, I have undertaken ten country-level analyses investigating determinates and predictors of youth cigarette smoking, and a regional analysis exploring the correlations between environmental exposure to tobacco smoke and youth cigarette smoking behaviour. I have co-authored two articles about COVID-19 and smoking, and smoke-free policies in the context of COVID-19. I have also supported COVID-19 modelling activities.

What is your takeaway from this fellowship?

Being proactive is a key for collaborative work.

What were your fun experiences outside the office in Cairo?

Hanging out with fellows and young professionals, game nights and after work tea.

Any tips and suggestions for future fellows?

Make use of the WHO learning resources and engage with different teams to expand your knowledge about other thematic areas.

The fellowship at the WHO Regional Office was an outstanding learning experience, which allowed me to sharpen my skills, to expand my network and to foster new collaborations.