Words That Count

Operational excellence in is often discussed in terms of efficiency and output, but it is equally about responsibility, adaptability, and long-term sustainability. In this feature, we spotlight the work of Nina Chalah and her perspective on navigating the complex demands of engineering while contributing to more sustainable industry practices.

Her story reflects the realities of working in highly technical environments where precision, safety, environmental awareness, and collaboration all intersect. It is also a reminder that are not one-dimensional; they require continuous learning, problem-solving, and the ability to balance operational goals with broader societal and environmental considerations.

Stories like these help expand conversations around what looks like across different sectors and disciplines.

Read Nina’s full story here: https://wordsthatcount.org/driving-operational-excellence-and-sustainability-in-petroleum-drilling-engineering-nina-chalah/

Growing up in Namibia’s desert landscapes, the ocean was distant, both physically and imaginatively, for Pewah Nghaangulwa. Today, she is a , contributing to efforts that protect ocean ecosystems and conserve seabird populations. Her work as an Ecosystem Officer at the Benguela Current Convention includes time at sea, monitoring interactions between fisheries and , and supporting sustainable practices.

As part of our effort to document African women’s careers to make pathways more visible, relatable, and possible for the next generation, journeys like Priskilla’s show us that not everyone’s journey is linear. Where you start does not define where you can go.

Learn more about her work and journey into Marine Biology here: https://wordsthatcount.org/a-marine-biologist-conserving-ocean-ecosystems-priskilla-p-ndapewoshali-nghaangulwa/

This year’s highlights the importance of workplaces that support both mental and physical well-being. Work is not only about productivity and output. It is also about the environments in which people are expected to think, create, lead, and contribute.

In and beyond, progress is sustained not only by expertise and innovation, but by work cultures that recognise the realities of stress, burnout, workload pressures, and the need for supportive systems. This is why we celebrate all driving impact across different STEM fields while also recognising that meaningful work should not come at the expense of well-being.

Happy International Labour Day!

Sometimes, the most complex environmental challenges are addressed in ways we rarely see. In this article, Shimaa Farag, a PhD researcher at The AUC The American University in Cairo, shares how she uses metagenomics to understand and respond to environmental change.

Metagenomics is a field of research that allows scientists to study entire microbial communities directly from their environment, offering insights that traditional methods often miss. Shimaa’s work shows that understanding microbial communities plays a key role in addressing environmental contamination and improving ecosystem health. Her contribution to this field earned her recognition as a laureate of the prestigious Eni Award in 2025.

To learn more about her STEM journey, visit: https://wordsthatcount.org/i-use-metagenomics-to-tackle-environmental-challenges-shimaa-farag/

Meet Christabellah Namugenyi, a PhD researcher in Public Health and Assistant Lecturer at Makerere University’s School of Statistics and Planning. She uses mixed methods, both quantitative (data, statistics) and qualitative (interviews, experiences), to study how healthcare services are organized and delivered, especially for people living with HIV (PLHIV).

Christabellah’s research focuses on , specifically how HIV care can be combined with treatment for other conditions like hypertension, so patients receive more coordinated and efficient services rather than separate, fragmented care.

Learn more about her work here: https://wordsthatcount.org/using-statistics-to-strengthen-integrated-health-care-in-africa-namugenyi-christabellah/

Some journeys do not start in a classroom. In this piece, Fahima Bellabad reflects on how growing up not so far from the ocean shaped her curiosity, her questions, her path into science, and eventually her PhD in , Risks, and Environment at Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Sciences de la Mer et de l'Aménagement du Littoral (ENSSMAL).

While working on Fahima's story, we were reminded that often comes from the environments we grow up in and the everyday experiences we sometimes overlook. Her journey speaks to the quiet, personal moments that guide many young people toward STEM, and why and storytelling matter in making these paths visible.

Read more about her journey here: https://wordsthatcount.org/a-stem-journey-shaped-by-the-ocean-fahima-bellabad/

to all who celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. A reminder of renewal, hope, and the quiet strength to begin again.

In our latest feature, we highlight the journey of Aijuka Loyde, a young scientist at AIMS Rwanda, who uses mathematics to understand and predict disease dynamics, contributing to more informed decisions across our communities.

Loyde’s story emphasises that behind every model and dataset are individuals deeply committed to solving real-world challenges. continues to play a critical role in understanding disease transmission and shaping effective health responses, and it is encouraging to see African women making their mark in this space.

We invite you to read her journey, a reflection of the power of applied mathematics and what it means to build solutions that truly serve society.

More here: https://wordsthatcount.org/advancing-public-health-through-mathematical-epidemiology-aijuka-loyde/

Eid Mubarak to all our Muslim friends and everyone who is celebrating. We extend our warmest wishes to all those observing this special occasion. May this day bring peace, joy, and renewed hope to you and your loved ones.

We recently interacted with Ruth Nanjala, a PhD researcher in Molecular and Cellular Medicine at the University of Oxford, working at the intersection of genomics and computational biology. Her research focuses on using data and to better understand biological systems and the role genes play in health and disease.

Her story offers a closer look at what research in cellular and genomic science actually involves, and how collaborative science is shaping the future of medicine.

Ruth is also the founder of My Science Journey, a platform dedicated to sharing stories, experiences, and insights from scientists navigating their careers in .

You can find the full story on our website here: https://wordsthatcount.org/mapping-the-future-of-cellular-medicine-through-genomics-and-computational-biology-ruth-nanjala/