On Wednesday, November 19, 2025, the McSilver Institute hosted its inaugural McSilver Speaker Series event as a virtual session, “Training for Impact: Building Global Research Scholars for Poverty and Global Health Equity.” The event brought together a global audience for a deep dive into the professional journeys of emerging investigators dedicated to addressing poverty and health inequities in low-resource settings.
The heart of the discussion featured a panel of three early-career researchers: Dr. Nhial Tutlam, Claire Najjuuko, and Moiyattu Banya-Keister. As both current and alumni fellows of NIH-funded research training programs, the panelists shared candid insights into how these initiatives shaped their career trajectories. They discussed the critical role that structured mentorship and professional development play in preparing the next generation of scholars to support vulnerable children and families worldwide.
Complementing the personal narratives of the researchers, Chelsea Hand-Sheridan, Associate Director for Capacity Building, provided a strategic overview of the research training landscape. She detailed the specific eligibility requirements for these programs and highlighted how prospective investigators can access these opportunities to further their own work in global health equity. Held via Zoom, the session served as a powerful bridge between established capacity-building programs and the scholars who will lead the field in the years to come.