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Could you tell us a little about yourself and your background?

I was born in Serbia, but when I started primary school, my family and I moved to Hungary, and later, during high school, to France. It was quite an international experience, and I grew to love traveling and learning languages, whether through school, TV shows, or now with language apps like Duolingo. Geography and history were my favorite subjects in middle and high school, and as nerdy as it may sound, I always looked forward to the weekly Model United Nations club. This club was a real eye-opener for me and motivated me to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Political and Social Sciences, followed by a master’s in International Development.

How did you find out about the BOHEMIA project, and what drew you to apply for this position?

After completing my master’s degree, I was looking for jobs in the non-profit sector in Spain when I stumbled upon the BOHEMIA project. As I read about the project, I was really inspired to join. I wanted to be part of a team striving to make a meaningful impact, and I could already see myself in the project assistant role. I was also excited by the opportunity to work on-site, managing day-to-day operations—something I had never done before.

Can you explain what your role entails in the BOHEMIA project?

I work as the project assistant for the BOHEMIA project. I support the project manager and finance manager in various administrative tasks, including procurement, hiring, and arranging international travel and conferences. However, my daily tasks can vary depending on the project’s needs. I believe my work is important because, in a large project like this, people can easily overlook small but critical tasks, such as timely visa applications or report submissions. I make sure these essential tasks are completed to avoid any setbacks for the project team.

What are some of the biggest challenges of working behind the scenes on a malaria trial of this scale? How do you overcome them?

Given the scale of the trial, it’s no surprise that the project has faced challenges. These include administrative hurdles like approval delays, procurement issues, and even uncontrollable factors like heavy rains and flooded roads. Whenever our team faced a challenge, we would brainstorm on video calls and somehow always managed to come up with a plan B—or even a plan C.

Could you share your experience working at the trial site in Kwale, Kenya?

I traveled to Kenya in the spring of 2023. The first week was dedicated to training the trainers, and in the following two weeks, we focused on training the fieldworkers. We trained around 250 fieldworkers on the procedures and goals of the BOHEMIA trial and the use of data collection tools. The rest of my time there was spent helping the team prepare for fieldwork by organizing storage spaces and preparing materials. Those few weeks in Kenya were a deeply enriching experience for me. It was exciting to meet the team in person and witness the project taking shape on the ground.

We trained around 250 fieldworkers on the procedures and goals of the BOHEMIA trial and the use of data collection tools.

What does a malaria-free world mean to you?

After spending time in a malaria-endemic area and learning firsthand about the devastating effects of the disease, I would say that a malaria-free world is a world where children don’t miss school or opportunities due to illness, and when adults can go to bed every night without worrying that a mosquito bite could jeopardize their family’s health and safety.