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Profiles in Public Health
From Uganda to the University of Georgia
 

Editor's note: The following interview was originally published by Words that Count and has been lightly edited for length. We look forward to presenting additional interviews that profile unique individuals in epidemiology, biostatistics and public health.  To submit an article for consideration please send it to: info@epimonitor.net  The original version of this interview can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/942h4emt

To kick us off, please give a brief introduction about yourself
My full name is Doreen Kibuule Kalemba, a Ugandan, based in the US. Currently, I am pursuing a PhD in Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Georgia (UGA). I was born and raised in Jinja [Uganda], so that makes me a Musoga by tribe. I see myself as a career person, someone who enjoys learning about diseases. Lastly, I am a mother.

How did you join the world of Biostatistics and epidemiology?
Growing up, I was not a fan of Mathematics. I felt like it was either not fun or there was something wrong with the way it was taught. But then, my uncle constantly encouraged me to enjoy it. He always talked about how Mathematics should be done in school, and even took time off to teach me. It was not long before I realised that I would be finding Mathematics in everything else I enjoyed. At the age of 10, my love for the subject grew even more, and I started teaching the younger kids in our neighbourhood. It might have been a trauma response to the fact that I did not know a lot of Mathematics myself, or I just enjoyed teaching.

When I entered secondary school, I had a moment that significantly shaped my academic path. A classmate casually remarked that girls were not suited for mathematics, implying it was a subject meant for boys. Coming from primary school, where I had excelled in science and earned a distinction, this comment struck me deeply. It did not make sense. Why would someone’s gender determine their ability in a subject like mathematics? That moment stayed with me, not as a discouragement, but as a challenge. It planted a question in my mind: What happens when you go against expectations? Initially, my interest in mathematics was not about ambition. It was simply a decision to take a different path and test the boundaries of what others assumed I could not do. And that decision marked the beginning of my journey into STEM.

By the time I reached Senior Four, the narrative around science subjects had become even more discouraging. Subjects like mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology were labeled as difficult and were reserved only for the exceptionally gifted, usually boys. But having already chosen to challenge such assumptions, I was determined to excel in those very subjects. I focused on achieving strong grades, especially in chemistry, which I saw as deeply mathematical. The turning point came when I overheard students praising a girl for taking the PCB/Math combination, saying only brilliant students could manage it. That moment fueled my resolve to be counted among them. I wanted to prove to myself and others that academic ability was not incompatible with being a girl, or with being considered beautiful. If anything, I aimed to redefine what it meant to be both smart and seen.

After A’Level, my career options seemed limited to the familiar science-track expectations: become a doctor, or perhaps an engineer. But as I faced the reality of choosing a path, I discovered something important about myself. I was not comfortable with blood! Despite my interest in the medical field, I struggled during biology practicals. I came to terms with the fact that surgery or direct clinical work was not for me. Still, I did not want to give up on contributing to the health sector in some way.

Financial constraints further complicated my plans. Even with strong grades, my family could not afford medical school tuition, and I was not awarded a government scholarship for medicine. However, I did qualify for a government scholarship to study Education at Makerere University, specializing in Physics and Mathematics.

At first, it felt like a detour, but then it started to feel like a calling. Teaching had always been a part of me, even from childhood. I embraced the opportunity not just as a compromise, but as a platform.

During my undergraduate studies, I studied a course called Biomathematics in my second year. It was offered under the Mathematics Department, but to me, it felt like a new doorway into public health. It combined mathematical reasoning with medical relevance, and that intersection immediately resonated with me. As I progressed through the course, it felt like I had finally found my place. Biomathematics gave me the sense that I could still contribute to the medical field. From that point on, I knew this was the direction I wanted my career to take.

After completing my undergraduate degree, I applied for a scholarship at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS). This decision transformed my perspective in ways I had not anticipated. AIMS is often jokingly referred to as the African Institute for Missing Sleep because of the program’s intensity, but it truly lived up to its reputation as a place that stretches the limits of what you think is possible. Before AIMS, I saw mathematics and science as fields with clear boundaries, often tied to academic or technical work, mostly within computers or classrooms. But AIMS expanded that understanding. It introduced me to a world where math intersects with everything, from health and environment to technology and economics. Suddenly, the tools I had been learning could solve real-world problems in ways I had not imagined.

My interests widened rapidly. Beyond medicine, I became drawn to data science, artificial intelligence, and the many ways these tools could be applied in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, education, and beyond. My thesis focused on infectious diseases, specifically a simulation of an SVEITR model for measles transmission in Uganda. That project deepened my understanding of disease dynamics, exposed me to public health modeling, and taught me how to interpret metrics like odds ratios and risk factors in real contexts. I continued learning more after AIMS, particularly in epidemiology and biostatistics. This sparked a clear sense of direction. I realized that public health was not just a fallback; it was a powerful, data-driven field where I could make a meaningful impact.

As I continued to explore the field, I began connecting the dots across mathematics, data, and health. Then, boom, COVID-19 happened. The pandemic was a turning point. It forced the world to pause, and for me, it created the space to reflect deeply on what I truly wanted to pursue within public health. It was during this time that everything came into sharper focus. I thought about how I wanted my career to evolve, how I could use the knowledge I had gained so far, and where I could make the greatest impact. That clarity led me to apply for a graduate program in public health, and I was accepted into the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at UGA.

Moving into the next question, tell us about some of the challenging times you have faced as an African woman navigating the Epidemiology and Biostatistics world
One of the significant challenges I faced was navigating gender bias in professional spaces, particularly in leadership. I served as the Head of the Mathematics Department at Busoga College Mwiri, a role that came with both responsibility and resistance. I constantly felt the need to prove myself more than any of my male counterparts. Whenever I made decisions, called for meetings, or delegated tasks, I often encountered pushback, not because the instructions were unclear or unreasonable, but because I was a woman in a leadership position. At the time, I was one of only two women in the department, and the other was still an intern. The rest of the team was entirely male, and that dynamic frequently made the work environment unnecessarily difficult.

Another challenge is with the double standard! If a man and I both applied for a leadership role, and he was selected, no one questioned his qualifications or whether he truly understood the work. But for me, despite holding the position, I was often second-guessed. That experience made me understand why many capable women shy away from leadership. There are additional, invisible barriers they must constantly push against just to be heard and respected.

Also, motherhood has been one of the most defining and challenging aspects of my career journey. Unlike many of my male counterparts, it is challenging for us to focus fully on our professional roles. I have had to navigate the intersecting responsibilities of being a wife, a mother, and a leader, all at once. At one point, I had to step back from active leadership for nearly two to three years to prioritize my family. It was not an easy decision, especially when I knew I could contribute more professionally, but I recognized that my presence was needed most at home during that time. Balancing these roles often felt overwhelming, but it also taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of pacing a career in a way that honors both personal and professional commitments.

How have you been able to navigate these challenges and still push forward? What’s your motivation?
What keeps me going is the responsibility I feel toward other girls and women who are watching, hoping, and drawing strength from my journey. I often remind myself why I started this, recalling the Senior Five student I once admired, who pursued a challenging science combination against the odds. Her courage inspired me, and I know that by continuing, I can offer that same spark to someone else. Giving up would not only be a disservice to myself but also to the many girls who need visible examples of what is possible.

Becoming a mother deepened this conviction. I want my daughter to grow up knowing that her life can be expansive. She should know that marriage, motherhood, and ambition can coexist, and that she is free to define success on her own terms.

I also carry the legacy of the women who fought hard to create the spaces we now occupy. The women who sacrificed greatly to shift the balance, even if only slightly, toward fairness. To step back entirely would feel like undoing part of their work. So I press on, not just for me, but for all the girls who deserve to see what resilience looks like.

Let us talk about the prestigious moments you have encountered on this journey of Epidemiology. We would like to celebrate those achievements with you
One of my earliest and most memorable achievements came right after completing my bachelor’s degree. I applied for a grant and was selected to represent Makerere University’s Physics Department in a Materials Science project held in Dar es Salaam. It was a fully funded opportunity that significantly broadened my academic exposure and professional network.

Another major turning point was being awarded a scholarship to AIMS. Coming from a humble background, I was not sure how I would afford postgraduate studies, even though I was determined to continue. Winning that scholarship gave me access to world-class training and also opened my mind to new possibilities in data science, AI, and public health.

Most recently, I was awarded a highly competitive, fully funded scholarship to pursue graduate studies in the United States, specifically in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics in Georgia. This opportunity has been a profound affirmation of my journey and aspirations. Each of these achievements has shaped my path in meaningful ways, allowing me to grow, contribute, and dream even bigger.

Outside of all things Epidemiology and Biostatistics, who is Doreen?
With my PhD, free time is often scarce, but I make a conscious effort to care for my mental well-being. One of the ways I do this is by working out. I genuinely enjoy going to the gym and lifting weights; it clears my mind and brings me a sense of peace and balance. Swimming is another activity I find both relaxing and rejuvenating.

Beyond physical activity, I am deeply connected to my faith. I love going to church. It is an important part of who I am and how I stay grounded. I also enjoy spending time with friends whenever I can. Even if it is just an hour or two, catching up and having meaningful conversations helps me maintain strong relationships and reminds me of the world beyond academic life.

Do you have a favorite quote?
My all-time favorite comes from 2 Corinthians 5:7: “We walk by faith, not by sight.” I love this verse because it speaks directly to the unpredictable nature of life and career. In this journey, not everything unfolds the way we expect. There are times when you work hard on a project, only to see results that fall short. Other times, the effort pays off beyond what you imagined. This verse reminds me that progress often requires trust that things will work out even when you can not see the full picture.

What is your word of encouragement for any African girl who is interested in Epidemiology and Biostatistics?
Do not hold yourself back from pursuing your goals just because certain things have not gone your way. Someone might hear my story and assume I had it easy, but the truth is, the journey has been far from easy. I have faced moments that nearly broke me, situations too personal and painful to even share. There were days I considered walking away from it all.

I have considered quietly retreating into a simpler life, maybe just focusing on motherhood or returning to my old primary school to teach and stay out of sight. But in those moments, I always came back to one question: Why did I begin this journey? That question reminded me not to limit myself. It stops me from defining my worth by whether I became a doctor, an engineer, a wife, or a mother.

Life does not end when one dream shifts or when circumstances change. Even if you have faced heartbreak, whether in your career, marriage, health, or personal life, you can still make a lasting impact. So please, do not let any single setback define your entire life. Stand up, dust yourself off, and keep going. It is not easy, I know, but it is necessary. The world keeps moving, and so must you. Keep reminding yourself of your purpose, and trust that things will work out in time. They always do. ■

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