Health Science Reviews

By Candice Watkins

I never had a clear reason for going into healthcare. I kind of woke up one day and thought, I guess I enjoy biology class so why not? Whenever someone asked for my motivation, I gave the standard response: to help people. While that remains true, my driving force to stay in this field has recently solidified. I don’t just want to help people; I want to transform lives.

My Vaccinology class had the opportunity, thanks to the South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative (SATVI), to visit their clinical trial site, as well as the nearby settlement where many of their trial participants live. We were guided by a local, Gertrude, wearing her iconic cheetah-print outfit and radiant energy. Having grown up in the community, she now works with SATVI to build trust and communication with the community. As we drove through the neighbourhood, everyone in the street waved and greeted us, having recognised Gertrude and the SATVI vehicle. She was clearly a beloved and familiar face. We stopped at the home of a woman who runs a soup kitchen and fosters children. She explained her calling to care for these children, with a beaming smile throughout. Despite the challenges she faces daily, her spirit is unbreakable. The warmth, resilience and hope present in that community were undeniable.

SATVI runs clinical trials for tuberculosis vaccines in Worcester. They place great emphasis on their commitment to ethical and community-based research. Trial participants are referred to local clinics for healthcare needs, compensated for missed work and time, and provided with a full, nutritious meal at each visit – we were given the same meal, and it was both delicious and well-balanced. While some of these practices are standard requirements for conducting trials, SATVI goes above and beyond. These seemingly small gestures reflect a deeper principle: research must respect and uplift the individuals who make it possible. SATVI’s vision is ‘A World Without TB’, a goal I hope is on the horizon. Even now, their daily interactions with the community are already transforming lives.

This experience highlighted the importance of community engagement. Trust, communication and respect are the pillars of community-based research. It was a humbling reminder that healthcare is not just about the science or medicine, its about the people, relationships and lasting impact. Research into tuberculosis and other infectious diseases has the power to change lives. I highly recommend the Vaccinology module to any future honours students, particularly my fellow IDI group, so you too can witness the real impact of our research.