Since its launch, the fellowship has empowered future public health leaders from around the world to design and implement high-impact projects, while learning from and collaborating with experts at the WHO Hub and RKI. The program plays a key role in building stronger, data-driven public health systems at both national and global levels.

This year’s fellows bring rich experience and fresh perspectives:

• Ligola Akwenye (Namibia) leads national disease surveillance at the Ministry of Health and Social Services. With a background in clinical care and outbreak response, she will focus on strengthening capacity for early warning and response in Namibia.
• Jonathan Mwanza (Zambia) has over 12 years of experience in risk communication and community engagement , health systems, and emergency preparedness. He is working at Zambia’s National Public Health Institute, and is currently finalizing a PhD in Public Health. His project will enhance risk assessment capacity for rapid response during health emergencies.
• Bilal Jawabreh (Occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)) is a senior public health researcher at the Palestinian National Institute of Public Health focused on health systems in conflict settings. During his fellowship, he is evaluating the early warning systems for public health emergencies in oPt.
• James Hellar (Tanzania) is a physician and field epidemiologist at Tanzania’s Ministry of Health. He has hands-on experience in responding to major outbreaks including COVID-19, Marburg, and cholera. His fellowship project will leverage distance learning platforms to enhance surveillance and response and improve emergency management.

“The GOARN Fellowship is helping build the next generation of public health leaders—fostering innovation, resilience, and international cooperation.”
— Dr. Basel Karo, WHO Collaborating Centre for GOARN, RKI

We are proud to support the 2025 fellows as they strengthen capacities in their home institutions and contribute to global health security through their work in Berlin.