“Persistence pays off in the end,” said Chandy John, MD, while reflecting on the challenges and rewards of building a career in global health research during his keynote address at the 2026 Global Health Scholars Day.
Hosted May 8 by the IU Center for Global Health, the annual event brings together faculty, staff and trainees from across Indiana University to showcase research and educational initiatives focused on improving health outcomes worldwide. This year’s program featured poster presentations, networking opportunities and a keynote lecture from Dr. John, Ryan White Professor of Pediatrics and director of the Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Disease and Global Health at the Indiana University School of Medicine, titled “How to Change the World Through Science.”
Adrian Gardner, MD, MPH, director of the IU Center for Global Health, opened the event by emphasizing the importance of the university’s global health community. “Global Health Scholars Day is an annual event that showcases the excellent work being done by our IU community, particularly our trainees, to improve the care of patients worldwide, research the complexities of global health, and educate learners with a focus on access to healthcare,” Dr. Gardner said.
Dr. Gardner also acknowledged the changes surrounding global health research and partnerships. “Particularly in these times, in what is a very dynamic ecosystem around global health, we all need this community more than ever,” he said.
In his keynote remarks, Dr. John shared stories about decades-long research partnerships in Kenya and Uganda, establishing research infrastructure, managing long timelines for studies and navigating setbacks early in his career.
“That’s also to encourage you if you’re in global health to understand that a gestation period is there and it’s okay,” Dr. John said.
Dr. John’s address focused on the value of mentorship, scientific collaboration and long-term commitment to communities. His research has advanced understanding of severe malaria, neurodevelopmental complications and infectious diseases affecting children in East Africa. Over the course of his career, he has authored hundreds of peer-reviewed publications and helped train researchers in the United States, Kenya and Uganda.
During the event, IU leaders presented Dr. John with the Global Health Award in recognition of his career-long contributions to international research partnerships and healthcare access.
Presenting the award, Kristin Srour, associate director of the IU Center for Global Health, praised Dr. John’s impact on global health research and mentorship. “We are honored to present you with the Global Health Award in recognition for your career dedicated to improving health and human flourishing in underserved areas worldwide,” Srour said.
Following the keynote and award presentation, attendees gathered for poster presentations featuring research from students, trainees and faculty across the IU community. Projects addressed a broad range of global health issues, including tuberculosis treatment, aging and cognition, HIV, infectious disease and healthcare access.
Three projects received top honors in the annual poster competition:
- Whitney Cordoba-Grueso and collaborators Molly Rosenberg, Raul Cruz, Miriam Rodriguez and Maria Parker for “Exploring Age, Sex, and Educational Differences in the Association of Cigarette Smoking and Cognitive Function Among Adults in Mexico, 2001-2021."
- Jessica Duke and collaborators Sumaya Mall, Erika Beidelman, Maria Klein and Molly Rosenberg for “Effect of a randomized cash transfer on allostatic load among older adults in rural South Africa.”
- Kirsten Prabhudas-Strycker and collaborators Lameck Diero, Winnie Muyindike, Helen Byakwaga, Sylvia Kitur, Joseph Mining’wo, Bob Ssekyanzi, Alexis Byaruhanga, Harold Kooreman, Felix
Pabon-Rodriguez, Hong-Ha M. Truong, Jayne Lewis Kulzer, Edwin Ochomo, Francesca Odhiambo, Suzanne Goodrich, Aggrey Semeere, Neelima Navuluri, Kara Wools-Kaloustian and Leslie A. Enane for “Delays in TB treatment among people with pulmonary TB in East Africa: findings from a prospective cohort study.”
The annual Global Health Scholars Day event continues to serve as a forum for collaboration and mentorship among researchers, clinicians and learners committed to improving health around the world. Dr. John’s message about persistence and long-term commitment resonated throughout the day as attendees celebrated research accomplishments and the next generation of global health leaders.
